1. The decline of Lake Michigan Salmon
Impending Doom!?
The decline of Lake Michigan Salmon

2. In the news!

3. Alewife Introduction Niagara Falls Welland Canal Natural Roadblock
Opened in 1859
Allowed for the movement of goods around Niagara Falls.
Alewife Migration

4. Alewife Population Explosion
Alewife populations exploded

5. Lake Michigan Salmon Introduction
Salmon were introduced originally in 1870
Alewife populations weren’t large so it was unsuccessful
Coho Salmon
1966 – Lake Michigan
Chinook Salmon
1967 – Lake Superior & Lake Michigan.
The Alewife population was reduced
Anglers flocked to Lake Michigan
In Lake Michigan, stockings from 1967 to 1970 yielded exceptional angler returns of about 13% of the stocking rate
As a result, Chinook Salmon stocking programs spread to lakes Huron (1968), Ontario (1969) and Erie (1970).
Since then, a multi-billion dollar sportfishery developed, particularly on lakes Michigan and Huron.

6. Other Invaders

7. Zebra Mussel Introduction
Zebra Mussels
Originally detected in Lake St. Clair in 1988.
Native to lakes in southern Russia.
Believed brought in ocean going boats ballast water.

8. Zebra Mussel Population Explosion
Zebra Mussel populations exploded

9. Food Chain

10. Alewife populations were on the decline by the early 1970’s

11. 2015 – 2016 Achievements Fulton Schools 6th year in the program.
3 of 4 Licensed Teachers Pick-up Eggs (600 eggs)
Released 402 Salmon into Fish Creek this year
And wore out a bunch of 8th graders.

12. The Future!!! Pilot Program with the DNR
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Grayling?
Bridging the project into the High School
GoFundMe
GCCF Greenhouse Grant
Professional Development
MSTA Conference
Beaver Island
New Teacher Training