Fishes of Lake Michigan

Focusing on the native species with a sprinkling of invasives

The Great Lakes system is said to be home to about 150 native species of fish

Lake Michigan is named after the Ojibwa word, mishigami, (It means, large lake)

A little over 50 years ago various non-native salmon and trout species were introduced into the lake to increase sport fishing in the lakes

The History of the Lake

Native species have had to battle intentional and unintentional invasive species. ◦ Chinook Salmon (intentional)◦ Zebra and Quagga Mussels (unintentional)◦ Sea Lamprey (unintentional)◦ Round Goby (unintentional)◦ The Ruffe (unintentional)

Many of these species are highly aggressive and fast growing, out competing the young of the native fish.

History of the Lake

You will be responsible for being able to identify a variety of our native species here in Lake Michigan.

Native Fishes of The Lake

Largemouth BassMicropterus salmoides

BluegillLepomis macrochirus

BurbotLota lota

MuskyEsox masquinongy

Yellow PerchPerca flavescens

Northern PikeEsox lucius

Lake SturgeonAcipenser fulvescens

WalleyeSander vitreus

Each of these organizations is working to prevent the Asian Carp from entering the lakes.◦ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ◦ EPA◦ State of Illinois◦ International Joint Commission◦ Great Lakes Fishery Commission◦ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The newest threat…Asian Carp

Is not actually one fish but a combination of 4 different species:◦ Bighead Carp

◦ Silver Carp

◦ Black Carp

◦ Grass Carp

Asian Carp

Big Head CarpVideo