I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/i-speak-for-the-fish-giddy-up-sucker/
Love staring at a map and discovering something interesting? Then “Mapping the Great Lakes” is for you. It’s a monthly Great Lakes Now feature created by Alex B. Hill, a self-described “data nerd and anthropologist” who combines cartography, data, and analytics with storytelling and human experience.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/mapping-the-great-lakes-summertime-fishing/
I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/i-speak-for-the-fish-searching-elusive-sculpin/
I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/i-speak-for-the-fish-whats-the-most-popular-freshwater-fish/
Walleye and pike surveys start in early spring, followed by muskie surveys. In May, the DNR starts surveying general fish communities like panfish and bass, and from July to September it surveys streams.
The post Shocking news for Michigan fish first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/27/shocking-news-for-michigan-fish/
I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/04/i-speak-for-fish-eyeballing-walleye/
I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/04/i-speak-for-fish-eyeballing-walleye/
Habitat restoration can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, years of time and the collaborative effort of engineers, scientists and designers. It may be better to just start from scratch.
The post Creating habitat to help fish reproduce is costlier, but more effective than restoring it first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/04/creating-habitat-to-help-fish-reproduce-is-costlier-but-more-effective-than-restoring-it/
This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.
By Daniel Schoenherr, Great Lakes Echo
The ecological success of artificial reefs in Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay could teach people how to restore fish populations across the world.
Ellen Marsden, a fisheries and wildlife expert from the University of Vermont, spearheaded the construction of 29 reefs built with small stones – cobble aggregate – in Thunder Bay in 2010.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/03/artificial-reefs-bring-wild-lake-trout-to-lake-huron/
I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/03/i-speak-for-the-fish-playing-follow-the-leader-with-diving-ducks/
I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/02/i-speak-for-the-fish-courting-sunfish/
Lake sturgeon, one of the largest and oldest species of fish in the Great Lakes, are in more trouble than we thought.
In December, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature downgraded its status from Least Concern to Endangered based on shrinking populations over the past three generations, which is between 250 and 300 years for this long-lived fish.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/02/lake-sturgeon-added-to-endangered-list-but-things-are-looking-up/
By Anastasia Pirrami The nonprofit group Perch America has been stocking thousands of walleye into Wolf Lake for 24 of the last 25 years, creating a rich fishery for the small community of Hammond, Indiana. Anglers concerned about commercial fisheries over harvesting fish in the southern part of Lake Michigan, including Wolf Lake, formed the […]
The post Indiana group stocks walleye for 24 years first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/01/17/indiana-group-stocks-walleye-for-24-years/
As a long-time angler and ichthyology student, I thought I knew a lot about the bowfin. But recent developments have shown that much of what I knew about this fish was wrong.
The post Commentary: New insights about an old fish first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/12/27/commentary-new-insights-about-an-old-fish/
Eisenbeiser speculates that fish may be more advanced and more capable than they are given credit for.
The post Newest addition to the gaming community: Fish? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/12/20/newest-addition-to-the-gaming-community-fish/
I Speak for the Fish is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/i-speak-for-the-fish-favorite-fish-books/
A new book details the biology, management and importance of walleye, an iconic Great Lakes fish.
The post New book explores the beauty of a common Great Lakes fish first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/12/16/new-book-explores-the-beauty-of-a-common-great-lakes-fish/
In the course of 11 days, a device dating back to 234 B.C. successfully transported 704 fish across the Cheboygan Dam in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula with no injuries observed.
The post Device from 234 B.C. lifts fish over barriers while blocking invaders, study finds first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/11/23/device-from-234-b-c-lifts-fish-over-barriers-while-blocking-invaders-study-finds/
I Speak for the Fish is a new monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/i-speak-for-the-fish-these-catfish-have-something-to-say/
The research collaboration among the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has demonstrated how an advisory program designed for the Anishinaabe is a useful tool for tracking fish consumption in Great Lakes tribes.
The post Study shows value of culturally appropriate environmental health resources first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/11/17/study-shows-value-of-culturally-appropriate-environmental-health-resources/
An aquaculture group recently received $425,000 in federal support to strengthen the aquaculture community in the Great Lakes region. The goal for the grant is to build up the local economy of aquaculture producers.
The post Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative receives support from federal government first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/11/09/great-lakes-aquaculture-collaborative-receives-support-from-federal-government/
A new campaign is pushing for commercial fisheries to use whitefish for more than just filets. The fish could be used for makeup, wallets and supplements.
The post Whitefish campaign seeks to lift fisheries while fish stocks drop first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/11/03/whitefish-campaign-seeks-to-lift-fisheries-while-fish-stocks-drop/
A Grand Valley State University student is sharing their research through artwork, which is a growing trend among the scientific community.
The post Grand Valley student chalks up a research success first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/11/01/grand-valley-student-chalks-up-a-research-success/
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee have discovered that plastic pollution makes yellow perch less nutritious.
The post Plastic pollution robs fish of nutrients first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/10/31/plastic-pollution-robs-fish-of-nutrients/
A University of Windsor doctoral student studying conservation has a knack for science communication - and is using it to bring attention and support to at-risk species.
The post Minnow researcher uses You Tube, children’s literature to connect people with at-risk species first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/10/21/minnow-researcher-uses-you-tube-childrens-literature-to-connect-people-with-at-risk-species/
Shipping vessels make Lake Superior one of the loudest freshwater lakes in the world, but ice makes it one of the quietest during winter. The winter silence plays a key role in conserving the lake’s marine animals.
The post Study: Why are Lake Superior’s quiet winters so important? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/10/04/study-why-are-lake-superiors-quiet-winters-so-important/
By Mark Gillispie, Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — The county prosecutor’s office in Cleveland has opened an investigation into an apparent cheating scandal during a lucrative walleye fishing tournament on Lake Erie last week.
A video posted to Twitter shows Jason Fischer, tournament director for the Lake Erie Walleye Trail, cutting open the winning catch of five walleye on Friday and finding lead weights and prepared fish filets inside them.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/ap-authorities-report-scandal-fishing-tournament/
Great Lakes Now tries to make every episode interesting and educational.
In “Finders, Keepers,” join researchers as they uncover details about the bottom of the Great Lakes, head to Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum to learn how scientists are using a natural history collection to understand changes to global biodiversity, and tune into The Catch for more news about the lakes you love.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/finders-keepers-the-great-lakes-now-episode-quiz/
Most professions offer a range of subspecialties to choose from.
Want to be a doctor? What kind? Surgeon, pediatrician, neurologist…?
Want to work construction? What kind? Plumer, electrician, carpenter…?
The study of fishes is different only in that the subspecialties are far less familiar to people outside the field.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/fish-scientists/
I Speak for the Fish is a new monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/i-speak-for-the-fish-a-fishs-shelf-life/
If you catch fish in a Great Lakes state on a river, pond, stream or reservoir and keep any to eat, most likely you’ll have to clean them yourself. But if you get close to one of the big lakes, especially Lake Erie, you could have a fish cleaner do it.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/fish-cleaning-houses/
The total allowable catch (TAC) for yellow perch and walleye went up this year in Lake Erie. The raise is indicative of booming walleye population in recent years as well as a healthy perch population in most areas of the lake.
The walleye TAC rose 18% from 12.28 million fish in 2021 to 14.53 million this year, with yellow perch rising 15% from 6.23 million pounds last year to 7.18 million pounds this year.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/08/setting-lake-erie-limits/
This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.
By Cameryn Cass, Great Lakes Echo
The Great Lakes Basin draws millions of anglers each year to fish in its lakes, rivers and streams.
In addition, millions more of the region’s residents consume those fish.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/07/great-lakes-residents-advisories-eating-fish/
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (AP) — State Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists have collected fish and water samples at a northeastern Indiana lake as the result of a fish kill involving thousands of crappies, the agency said June 23.
The fish kill began last week at Loon Lake in Whitley and Noble counties.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/07/ap-crappie-kill-loon-lake/
The study in the journal “Science of the Total Environment” found that five million people exceeded the recommended fish intake of two meals or 12 ounces per week, as suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency. Notably, women, nonwhites, younger residents and those with lower education levels were less aware of fish advisories, and thus more prone to eat more than the recommended amount.
The post Only half of Great Lakes residents are aware of advisories for safely eating fish first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/30/only-half-of-great-lakes-residents-are-aware-of-advisories-for-safely-eating-fish/
By John Flesher, Associated Press
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — You’re in the mood for fish and your server suggests a dish of invasive carp. Ugh, you might say. But how about broiled copi, fresh from the Mississippi River?
Here’s the catch: They’re the same thing.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/ap-unpopular-fish-getting-makeover/
Since the early 2000s fewer young whitefish have been making it to adulthood. Understanding the decline of lake whitefish recruitment is important for fishery managers and regulators as they approach the deadline to update a 2000 consent decree that regulates recreational and commercial fishing in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
The post Water test: One fish, two fish – where are all the whitefish? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/23/water-test-one-fish-two-fish-wheres-all-the-whitefish/
Just a couple years ago, nobody had heard of 6PPD-quinone, a chemical by-product of car tires. Until it was discovered that it can kill fish, including species in the Great Lakes.
Researchers with the University of Washington discovered in late 2020 that 6PPD-quinone was washing off roadways and into Seattle’s urban creeks during rainstorms – a death sentence for coho salmon.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/tire-chemicals-great-lakes-fish/
How the shape of the Great Lakes now compares with their past is important as negotiators update the consent decree addressing commercial and recreational fishing interests in waters covered by an 1836 treaty. The deadline is at the end of June, the third such decree covering these contentious waters. The most recent one in 2000 was for 20 years, and it’s overdue for an update.
The post Water test: Where biology meets geometry in the Great Lakes first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/22/water-test-where-biology-meets-geometry-in-the-great-lakes/
I Speak for the Fish is a new monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/not-all-lampreys-are-killers/
The food web in lakes Michigan and Huron has changed in ways that jeopardize age-old fishing traditions and raise questions about how we’ve managed them. Now negotiators are updating a legal settlement that spells out where and how much lake whitefish and lake trout can be harvested.
The post Water test: Rending the Great Lakes food web first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/20/water-test-rending-the-great-lakes-food-web/
One of the last known (and most famous) blue pike was landed by hook and line in 1962. In 1983, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the blue pike extinct. Yet, nearly 40 years later, the population remains robust and healthy – in the hearts and minds of countless anglers.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/lake-erie-blue-pike-never-forgotten/
One by one, netted fish arrived onto the boat: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, common carp, gizzard shad, longnose gar.
They lay on their sides, briefly stunned by the electricity that was coursing from rods on the boat’s bow and then scooped on board the 21-foot vessel on a cloudy spring day on Lake Erie.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/african-scientists-great-lakes-international-exchange/
Great Lakes Moment is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
The practice of rewilding is frequently carried out in wilderness areas, but cities like Detroit are beginning to reintroduce native species of plants and animals to enhance biodiversity and reap all the benefits of making nature part of everyday urban life.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/great-lakes-moment-rewilding-metropolitan-detroit/
Despite overwhelming public opposition based on public comments received by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the agency approved a water withdrawal and consumptive use permit for Massachusetts-based Aquabounty on March 14.
The permit will allow operators to pull about 28 million gallons from the Michindoh Aquifer to fill tanks at its state-of-the-art Atlantic salmon rearing facility in Pioneer, Ohio.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/salmon-farm-ohio-dnr/
I Speak for the Fish is a new monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor Kathy Johnson, coming out the third Monday of each month. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/trout-feeding-frenzy/
May is a good time to look for sunfish nests. The sunfish family includes some of Michigan’s most popular sport fish: largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, crappies, rock bass and others. They are also among the world’s worst invasive fish species.
The post May: Good fish, fun fish, bad fish, sunfish first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/06/may-good-fish-fun-fish-bad-fish-sunfish/
Some dives are so pivotal that they permanently fuse themselves into my memory bank.
I’ll never forget my first open water dive in the St. Clair River under my family’s dock, or the first time I looked for a drowning victim as a member of the St. Clair County Sherriff Department Dive Rescue and Recovery team.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/round-goby-great-lakes/
Animal migrations are among nature’s most stirring spectacles. So why do so few of us know about spectacular migrations that happen every spring, right in our own back yards? Because these are migrations of fish, out of sight beneath the surfaces of our rivers and streams.
The post April: Hidden Migrations first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/04/01/april-hidden-migrations/
By Tara Lohan, The Revelator
This story originally appeared in The Revelator and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.
In September the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed removing 23 species from the federal list of endangered species — not because they’d rebounded, sadly, but because they are believed to be extinct.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/reasons-to-love-freshwater-mussels/
