Contact(s): Brad Eggold, DNR Great Lakes district fisheries supervisor, Bradley.Eggold@Wisconsin.gov, 414-382-7921; Jennifer Sereno, DNR communications, Jennifer.Sereno@Wisconsin.gov, 608-770-8084
February 14, 2017
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Lake Michigan anglers reported significantly improved results for many species in 2016, reeling in nearly 385,000 salmon and trout, including the third highest number of coho salmon since 1992.
"During much of 2016, favorable weather and water temperatures helped produce solid results and we are pleased to see anglers benefit from ongoing efforts to provide a diverse and balanced fishery," said Brad Eggold, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Great Lakes district fisheries supervisor. "While the chinook harvest showed healthy increases over the past two years, coho salmon proved to be the big story with more than 125,000 fish harvested."
Highlights from DNR's 2016 survey of anglers on Lake Michigan include:
The improved results came even as anglers decreased their effort to 2.63 million hours from last year's 2.73 million hours, about 1 percent below the five-year average. The harvest rate increased to 0.1464 fish per hour, up slightly (2.17 percent) from the five-year average.
Factoring in other species such as northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and yellow perch, the 2016 harvest totaled 557,375. Among the other fish, walleye accounted for the single largest target species at 78,440 fish, a 21 percent decrease from 99,302 in 2015. Smallmouth bass saw the greatest increase to 16,880 fish, up 79 percent from 9,422 in 2015.
Over the last 15 years, sport fishing surveys show that boat anglers are harvesting the majority of fish on Lake Michigan. Anglers who launched their own boats from ramps or marinas or invested in a charter trip were the most successful. The sport harvest from ramps and marinas totaled 395,549 fish, while charter captains helped clients bring in 112,150 fish.
DNR's annual creel survey dates to 1969 and last year captured the results from more than 13,000 angler interviews at ramps, shorelines, piers and streams in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan stretching from Kenosha County to Green Bay. Each year, creel clerks interview anglers at established locations, measure fish and keep track of hours fished, numbers of boats and more. Results also include harvest estimates for guided charters from monthly reports that were initiated in 1976.
To learn more, visit dnr.wi.gov and search "Fishing Lake Michigan." Complete creel survey information can be found by searching "Lake Michigan management reports."
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The Office of Communications connects journalists with DNR experts on a wide range of topics. For the fastest response, please email DNRPress@Wisconsin.gov and the first available Communications Specialist will respond to you.
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