Fisheries science

Recreational and commercial fisheries are a vital part of Michigan's heritage. Great Lakes fisheries are valued at more than $4 billion annually. Michigan Sea Grant conducts scientific research aimed at understanding fish populations in order to provide a basis for sound fishery management.
Regional Fisheries WorkshopsMichigan Sea Grant Extension, in partnership with fisheries agencies and stakeholder organizations, annually host public information workshops offering current research and information related to the regional status of Great Lakes fisheries. These workshops are open to the public, and provide valuable information for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals, and other interested stakeholders. See: Workshops
State, provincial, and tribal authorities license commercial fishing in the Great Lakes, producing important food for the region and beyond. This fishery varies considerably from lake to lake in number of licensed operations, species sought, pounds harvested, and value of the dockside and processed commodity. The number of licensed operations has declined in the United States, but has remained relatively stable in Canada.
The estimated total catch in the U.S. and Canada in 2000 was nearly 55 million pounds (24.9 kilograms). By weight, the species harvested most by commercial operations in the Great Lakes in 2000 were rainbow smelt, Lake Whitefish, yellow perch, walleye, chubs, white bass, carp, lake trout and lake herring. Lake Whitefish, yellow perch and walleye produced the greatest landed value in 2000, estimated at $13.3 million for the U.S. harvest, plus almost $41 million (CDN) for the Canadian catch. However, the processed value is estimated to be at least five times the landed value.