Lake Trout Restoration in Lake Michigan

Session: 08a. - Restoration of Native Fishes

Ted J. Treska, US Fish and Wildlife Service, [email protected]

Abstract

Like Lake Trout in many of the Great Lakes, the trout of Lake Michigan have had a tumultuous time over the last 100 years.  In addition to overfishing, sea lamprey, and now ecosystem changes, the progression towards restoration has been an uphill battle.   Monumental stocking efforts and large scale sea lamprey control have finally allowed Lake Trout to gain a foothold in some areas of the lake while others are still struggling.  While natural reproduction has been increasing in the southern parts of the lake, the northern part of the lake is lagging behind in terms of sustainability.  The lake trout in the northern part of the lake are also vulnerable to commercial efforts that are targeting decreasing lake whitefish populations.  In addition, once abundant alewife populations are dramatically decreasing, and causing changes in the salmonine fish community of the lake, and the fisheries that target them. These and a number of other factors paint a complicated picture for lake trout restoration going into the future.

1. Keyword
Lake Michigan

2. Keyword
lake trout

3. Keyword
management

4. Additional Keyword
restoration