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Go deep into Great Lakes fisheries heritage using this curated list of materials—including audio, videos, books, and more—that have been curated for independent learning at your own pace.
Publications, Media, & Research
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Identification guide book for fishes of the Great Lakes region
A video documentary about the Michigan Brown Trout Festival hosted each summer in Alpena, Mich.
A book about Great Lakes fish and their habitats specific to Isle Royale.
An educational poster featuring Great Lakes fish species
A Flickr photo album offering images of commercial and recreational fishing in Michigan.
Michigan State University Extension (Michigan Sea Grant) online news brief
Michigan State University Extension (Michigan Sea Grant) online news brief
Michigan State University Extension (Michigan Sea Grant) online news brief
An album of historic photos of commercial fishing in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.
Video documentary about Peterson’s Fishery (Hancock, MI)
Video Documentary, The Perennial Plate featuring Dockside Fish Market
Exhibit Interpretive Panel Sign
Publication documenting commercial fishery in Michigan (Howard and Moore, 1970s) published i Great Lakes Informant
Family Fish and Fishing Stories
Interlochen Public Radio (8.27.18 story by Morgan Springer)
Journal Article exploring past, present, future of Great Lakes commercial fishing industry
Michigan Sea Grant, Upwellings publication, March 2015 special edition
Illustrations and text about Great Lakes fishing nets
A feature focused on eating Great Lakes fish from Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority newsletter (March 2003)
Book documenting history of commercial fishing on Thunder Bay, northern Lake Huron areas from Black River to Rockport
A Great Lakes cookbook celebrating Lake Whitefish fish and fishery.
website that offering health information and resources for selecting (fishing for or buying) and preparing fish safely.
Freshwater Feasts is a cooking blog from Michigan Sea Grant.
Stories of Michigan Fishermen and Fishing Families
A library of photos from Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail sites and network partners.
When the Carlson family, associated with Fishtown for more than 100 years, almost abandoned fishing
A journal article from American Fisheries Society describing four Fs of Fish.
What unpredictable paths may lead to a fisherman’s life?
A pamphlet about the history and people of Beaver Island.
Book series of journal and essay stories on the history of Beaver Island, published in five volumes 1976 to 2002.
Tasty favorite fish recipes from Susie Q Fish Company (Two Rivers, Wisc.)
book and oral history, sharing voices from the Leland Fishery at Fishtown, 1940-2006
Fish recipes shared by VanLandschoot & Sons Fish Market
short video documentary about Jessica Nelson, of Munising MI. Jessica is the owner of Vanlandschoot & Sons Commercial Fishery.
website providing history and information about state licensed commercial fishing in Michigan
Book and oral history of fishing history and heritage, values, issues, and user conflicts on Lake Michigan
Book featuring maritime heritage images and photos of South Haven 1900-1950.
Book documenting the historic fishery of Fishtown in Leland, Mich.
Book, and report on historic structures and site design in the Fishtown cultural landscape (Leland, Mich., Summer 2011)
Great Getaways TV episode visits Jensen’s Fishery
A profile of the Bay Port Fish Company posted on the Michigan Fish Producers Association and Greaet Lakes Whitefish websites.
Official publication of the Midwest Federated Fisheries Council. “The news journal of the Great Lakes fisheries”
Collections and research relating to Mackinaw State Historic Parks and Straits area.
A profile of Gauthier & Spaulding Fishery (now retired) posted on Great Lakes Whitefish website.
A profile of Petersen’s Fisheries posted on Great Lakes Whitefish website.
MLive news story, published July 25, 2013
A book documenting Great Lakes issues past and present, including social and ecological issues relevant to fisheries.
Book exploring Great Lakes fisheries policy and management.
Book exploring issue and implications of invasive species resulting from a series of locks, canals, and dams that opened the Great Lakes to global shipping.
Great Lakes Literacy Principles reflect an essential concepts in understanding of the Great Lakes’ influences on you and your influence on the Great Lakes.
Online and interactive fish identification tool developed by Wisconsin Sea Grant, Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources, and University of Wisconsin Center for Limnology.
Website promoting conversations about conservation and climate.
A profile of the Wilcox Fisheries posted on the Great Lakes Whitefish website.
A profile of Walters Fishery posted on the Great Lakes Whitefish website.
A profile of VanLandschoot & Sons Fishery posted on the Great Lakes Whitefish website.
Mackinac, An Island Famous in These Regions
A profile of Bell’s Fishery posted on the Great Lakes Whitefish website.
A book connecting art and Great Lakes ecology and issues.
The State History Museum and the Archives of Michigan are housed at the Michigan History Center in Lansing. Artifacts, documents and images relating to fisheries can be found here.
Articles written by the US FWS staff -Midwest Region Fisheries Division
Book documenting history of commercial fishing in Alcona and Iosco Counties of northeast Michigan
A profile of Carl & Don Frazier Fishery posted on the Great Lakes Whitefish website.
Online oral history collection from 1977 with North Shore commercial fisherman.
Fact Sheet -Alpena FWS Fact Sheet
On-line newsletter for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-Midwest Region Fisheries Division
Research articles by USFWS Staff
Book presents history of commercial fishing in northern Lake Michigan and Door County 1850-2005.
Nomination form for successfully listing the 1928 wood gill-net tug, Kathryn V, on the National Register of Historic Places. Nomination includes drawings, history,and physical description of vessel, and a circa 2003 list of other commercial fishing tugs.
A book illustrating life growing up in a fishing family on Isle Royale.
Book documenting Canadian commercial fishing on the Great Lakes.
Historic research report by Michigan DNR (Keller et. al.) explores diversity of Saginaw Bay fishes including their history, status, and management..
Book about the story of the early maritime family of Johann Lutz
An album of historic photos of commercial fishing in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.
Book will take you on a journey into the lives of the men and their families involved in commercial fisheries of northern Lake Michigan and Door County.
Photos and images of commercial fishery in northern Lake Michigan, archived on Wooden Boats and Iron Men website.
Video exploring the historic commercial fishing era of South Haven, Michigan.
Book documenting culture, conflicts, and court recognition of First Nation fishing rights in around the Saugeen-Bruce Peninsula in northern Lake Huron.
Book about the LaBlance commercial fishing family on the Great Lakes.
The Michigan Fresh Fish website serves to help locate, purchase, and prepare local fish.
An information page about the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail network and partnership.
Video documentary exploring the ecology and history of the Lake Sturgeon in the Great Lakes region.
Short video about history, ecology, and conservation of Lake Sturgeon in Canada.
Lake Sturgeon Educational Website
A book about ecology, issues, and management of the Lake Sturgeon.
Facility Brochure, Sturgeon Science and Research
Video about invasive Sea Lamprey issue and management in the Great Lakes.
Book exploring 70 year history of Great Lakes Sea Lamprey invasion, issue, and management.
Invasive Species profile of Sea Lamprey provided by Minnesota Sea Grant
Great Lakes Fishery Commission webpage about Sea Lamprey ecology, issue, and management in the Great Lakes.
MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant online news brief about invasive and native lamprey species in Great Lakes
Educational website exploring species of lamprey in Great Lakes, published by NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
Fact sheet about Sea Lamprey ecology and issue in Great Lakes.
Fact sheet about control of Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes.
A fact sheet produced by Michigan Sea Grant (1997) exploring diversity of native, invasive lamprey species found in Michigan.
A scientific report produced by the U.S. Dept of the Interior (1950)
A book documenting the issue of invasive species
An award-winning documentary exploring the ecological and historical impacts of sea lamprey and fisheries management.
The MV Spencer F. Baird is a USFW vessel on the upper Great Lakes.
A book about Isle Royale (Michigan) Fisherman and Their Boats
A profile of Big Stone Bay Fishery posted on the Great Lakes Whitefish website.
Web-based Great Lakes fishing educational resource
Photograph of Trap Net boat Stormin’ Norman
Photograph of the Fishtug Aloha
Photograph of the Fishtug Violet
Video tour of the 1928 Katherine V Exhibit at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan.
A website documenting fish tugs of the Great Lakes, including modern and historic images of the Great Lakes fishing fleet.
Janet C. Gilmore is a folklorist, currently based at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who specializes in the occupational traditions of Great Lakes commercial fishermen and food traditions using Great Lakes fish.
Video exploring features and function of the Katherine V at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan.
Video documenting restoration of the historic Evelyn S fish tug
Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail article featuring Evelyn S, written by MSU Extension and Michigan Maritime Museum.
A Research Report documenting Katherine V Commercial Fish Tug by Frank & Nancy Prothero
Brief Overview of Fishing Vessels & Gear
Michigan State University Extension (Michigan Sea Grant) online news brief
Michigan State University Extension (Michigan Sea Grant) online news brief
Historic research report by Michigan DNR Fisheries (Fielder and Baker, 2004) exploring recovery options for Saginaw Bay Walleye.
Historic research report from 1977 documents history of Walleye fisheries in Saginaw Bay.
Video of Dr. Howard Tanner presenting at 2019 Great Lakes Conference at Michigan State University.
Book and biography about Howard Tanner and introduction of Salmon in the Great Lakes
Book documenting history of Michigan’s conservation efforts, including fisheries issues and management.
A Sea Grant Extension Bulletin (published May 1977) describing transitions in Great Lakes fisheries in Michigan
Article tracing Michigan’s Great Lakes fishery over time and through technological and ecological changes
Video documentary (DVD) describing changes to Lake Huron ecosystem resulting from invasive species
Book about Muskie fishing (also covering bass, walleye, and pike) written and published by Homer LeBlanc
Guide Book to more than fifty common Great Lakes fish
Guide book exploring Great Lakes invasive species, including: What they are, where they are found, and what you can do related to this issue.
A collection of interviews with community anglers and agency researchers experiencing the 2000s Lake Huron Chinook Salmon fishery collapse.
Book illustrating and telling story of the families, the tugs, the gear and Lake Michigan fisheries of the Saugatuck-Douglas area.
Story map summary of the book, People of the Sturgeon
Interviews of community activists, sturgeon spearing enthusiasts, spear and decoy craftsmen, and scientific researchers associated with the Lake Winnebago sturgeon population.
A book documenting ecological history and cultures surrounding Lake Sturgeon in Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago region.
Discussion and documents relating to discussion of Native American fishing rights
A book about Ojibwe and Isle Royal.
Book documenting fishing in the Great Lakes from 1783-1933
Michigan Sea Grant’s updated third edition of The Life of the Lakes: A Guide to the Great Lakes Fishery offers a look at the colorful story of our Great Lakes.
Explore
Browse our interactive map to find Great Lakes fisheries heritage sites and attractions — from museums and historic landmarks to fish markets and restaurants.
Dive In
Discover fisheries heritage stories of people, places, traditions, and ecology that shape the Great Lakes region—from Tribal Nations and fishing families to researchers and the fish they study.
Teach
Find stories designed to help teachers deepen student understanding of Great Lakes topics, as well as lessons, resources, and media to support meaningful, connected learning.
