Fact Sheet - The Essential Fisheries Management Tool

"The research vessel HACK NOYES is the backbone of the Lake Superior fisheries program", said Stephen T. Schram, Lake Superior Fisheries Biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Bayfield. The research vessel, once a commercial fishing tug on Lake Michigan, was Sixty years old in 2006. While key to the Lake Superior fisheries program, it has seen a variety of duties over the years, including fishing regulation enforcement, ice breaking and rescue operations.

The Hack Noyes research vessel built in 1946 by Burger Boat of Manitowoc
WDNR Photo

The 55 foot commercial fishing type vessel was built in 1946 by Burger Boat of Manitowoc, WI. The state bought the boat in 1951 from a commercial fisherman for $17,000. It was moved to Bayfield in the mid 1950's, and went to work enforcing commercial fishing regulations. In those days, its main duty was to assist in locating illegal nets.

The HACK NOYES became part of the Lake Superior fisheries program in 1970. New equipment was added and today the boat contains a bow thruster for fine manuevering, a spacious working area, fish tanks and a desk for data recording.

Renowned for being highly seaworthy, the HACK is also known for its "rocking and rolling" in rough water. The crew has plenty of stories about days when ten foot waves or better were handled by the vessel. "Trying to work under those conditions takes some getting used to", said Schram who has seen the boat handle eighteen footers. Regardless of the weather, the crew must work every day during the assessment since leaving gill nets unattended means dead fish.

A scene on board the Hack Noyes
WDNR Photo

Named for the former head of the Wisconsin Conservation Commission, Haskell P. Noyes, the HACK NOYES will continue its service to the department. The future of collecting Lake Superior's fish population statistics will continue to depend on this reliable vessel, maybe for another fifty years.