The Tangled Net of Problems the DNR Faces about Lake Michigan

There are complex problems with the fish in Lake Michigan, thankfully the good people at the DNR have laid out rather well what the issues the great lake faces with trout, salmon, alewives, and muscles.

It’s been all over the news – the up-and-down dynamic of Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan. What does all this mean? What can the DNR do? What can you do? The DNR is continuously working to properly manage Chinook salmon and other fisheries in Lake Michigan. For more information on this – and other issues – visit Michigan.gov/fishing.

MichiganDNR via YouTube

Something I never really think about when I'm fishing is where do all of the fish come from. What's life like for fish. Usually I'm thinking 'was that a bite or is this beer playing tricks on me?'

So if I'm understanding this video correctly. As I just moved here and am still trying to learn about everything in my new home so bear with me.

Once upon a time, alewives were an invasive species that became a big problem in the lake, washing up in droves on the beach and most likely smelling terrible. So, 30ish years ago they dumped a bunch of chinook salmon in the lake. Apparently that led to some really awesome fishing because the salmon get so big, also, salmon tastes really good. Everything was fine and dandy until these invasive muscles showed up and now they're eating all of the alewives food. No alewives, no salmon, no salmon no delicious dinner. Oh and trout eat alewives too?

Man the muscles are wrecking the joint. Maybe if we threw some fresh water hammerhead sharks in the lake they would eat all the muscles.... I'm no marine bologist but that almost sounds like a great idea. Except sharks like salt water.

Wait, I got it! Lets dump a bunch of salt in the lake! It looks like the ocean anyway. Problem solved!

Surely no would be no further repercussions to my brilliant solution.

I'll accept my nobel prize on behalf of all of the very full hammerhead sharks.

On a more serious note, I like the subtle note from the guy at the end. Things change. For good or ill, things always change.