This history of the salmon in the Great Lakes describes the decline and extinction of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Lake Ontario in the 1800's; the failure to establish, by salmon culture, permanent or sizable populations of Atlantic or Pacific salmon in any of the Great Lakes in 1867-1965; and the success of the plantings of coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and chinook salmon (O. tshawytsha) in the Great Lakes, in 1966-70 -- particularly in Lake Michigan. Despite plantings of 5 million fry and fingerlings from Lake Ontario stocks in 1866-84, the native Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario became extinct in the late 1800's primarily because tributaries in which they spawned were blocked by mill dams. Plantings of 13 million chinook salmon and landlocked and anadromous forms of Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes in 1873-1947 failed completely. The first species to develop a self-sustaining population was the pink salmon (O. gorbuscha), which was planted in Lake Superior in 1956; however, it has not become abundant. A salmon fishery finally was established when 15 million coho salmon and 6 million chinook salmon were planted as smolt in the Great Lakes in 1966-70. In 1970, for example, 576,000 coho salmon (12% of those planted in 1969) were caught by anglers in Lake Michigan. Most weighed 5 to 10 pounds (2.3-4.5 kg). Sport fishing for salmon was fair in Lakes Superior and Huron, and poor in Lakes Erie and Ontario. By 1970, natural reproduction of coho, chinook, pink, and kokanee (O. nerka) salmon had occurred in some tributaries of one or more of the upper three Great Lakes. It is expected, however, that the sport fishery will continue to be supported almost entirely by planted fish.

Technical Paper↗

USGS1972

Life history and production of walleyes of the 1959 year-class in western Lake Erie, 1959-62

Because of the near collapse of the fishery for walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) in Lake Erie in the late 1950's, walleyes of the 1959 year-class were studied to gain a better understanding of the life history of the species and the dynamics of the population. In the summer of 1959 most walleyes of the year-class were in water 10 to 20 feet deep along the south and west shores of the western basin. By fall they averaged about 10 inches long and were rather widely distributed throughout the basin. By September 1960 most had reached legal length (then 13 inches in Ohio), and in October they made up nearly the entire commercial walleye production and made the highest monthly contribution during the life of the year-class. Walleyes of the 1959 year-class were cropped intensively and remained in the fishery for only a relatively short time. Estimated Ohio trap net production of the year-class was 261,000 fish in 1960, 168,000 in 1961, and 21,000 in 1962. Few fish survived beyond the spring of 1962. About 97% of the females of the year-class were caught before they had spawned once.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

USGS1971

Selective food preferences of walleyes of the 1959 year class in Lake Erie

Stomachs were examined from 1,473 walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) of the 1959 year class collected in western Lake Erie from June 1959 to October 1960. In the same period, the relative abundance and lengths of potential forage species were determined from trawl catches. The walleye fed almost entirely on fish. In 1959 the food was dominated first (in June and July) by yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and then, in sequence, by spottail shiners (Notropis hudsonius) and emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides). In 1960, the walleyes fed mostly on yearling spottail shiners and emerald shiners in the spring and summer but young alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) became the dominant food in the fall. The length of forage fish increased with the length of walleyes and walleyes of a given length usually ate forage fish within a restricted range of lengths. This size preference was shown by walleyes of the same length in the same and different months. The increased in length of forage fish with length of walleye was not proportionate. Walleyes 2.5 inches long ate forage fish 0.44 times their length whereas walleyes 15.5 inches long ate forage fish only 0.28 times their length. The diet of the walleyes changed according to species and lengths of forage fish available. Since young of several species hatched in different months and grew at different rates, abundance and suitability as forage sometimes changed rapidly.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

USGS1970

Walleye fishery of Lake Erie in 1943-62 with emphasis on contributions of the 1942-61 year-classes

The commercial fishery for walleyes ( Stizostedion vitreum vitreum ) in Lake Erie virtually collapsed in the late 1950's. The extreme decline in production was attributed primarily to a succession of weak year-classes, caused by habitat deterioration (increased water temperatures, enrichment, and pollution) in western Lake Erie. Unusually high fishing intensity and high yields of walleyes in the mid-1950's contributed to the collapse.Annual lakewide production of walleyes dropped from a record high of 15 million lb in 1956 to a record low of 717,000&ensp;lb in 1962. Canadian catches exceeded those of the United States only during the high production years of 1956–58; U.S. fishermen took 71% of the total catch in 1915–62.On the basis of the numbers of fish of the various year-classes in the fall trapnet samples at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1943–62, all but one of the 1942–52 year-classes were above average strength, and all but one of the 1953–61 year-classes were below average. Fish of the 1953–61 year-classes grew much faster than those of the 1942–52 year-classes. The strong 1948 year-class was followed by a series of progressively weaker year-classes until 1958; year-class strengths remained low through 1962.

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada↗

USGS1967

Contributions of year-classes of blue pike to the commercial fishery of Lake Erie, 1943-59

The blue pike ( Stizostedion vitreum glaucum ) contributed about 12.7 million lb annually to the commercial production of fish in Lake Erie in 1915–59. Production averaged about 27% of the total for all species; in some years it exceeded 50%. The catch fluctuated greatly and was featured by a series of seven "highs" and "lows" during the 45-year period. The landings ranged between 2 million and 26 million lb; periods of peak production were 5 to 9 years apart. A sharp decline in the catch started in 1957. The take of 79,000 lb in 1959 was the lowest on record to that time.Age and size compositions of the catch were determined from samples of blue pike taken from commercial landings in the fall, 1943–59. Peaks in production in that period were attributed to a few strong year-classes separated by several weak year-classes. Of the 20 year-classes represented in the samples, those of 1944 and 1949 were by far the strongest; together they contributed 42% (by weight) of the fall blue pike production in 1943–59. The strength of the 1939 and 1940 year-classes was moderate and the 1954 year-class was the last one of any importance. The other 15 year-classes were weak.The 1957–59 decline in production was accompanied by a marked increase in rate of growth. Blue pike in age-group III weighed nearly eight times more and were 7.7 inches longer in 1959 than in 1951. Landings after 1958 consisted of only a few large fish. The collapse of the fishery forced blue pike fishermen either to fish for less valuable species or to discontinue operation.

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada↗

USGS1958

Fishery management problems and possibilities on large southeastern reservoirs

Principal problems concerning the fisheries of large reservoirs in the Southeast are: inefficient and highly selective exploitation of fish stocks, and protection and reclamation of damaged or threatened fisheries in tailwaters and tributary streams. Seven mainstream reservoirs on which data are available support an average angling pressure of 4.9 trips per acre per year and an average catch of 16 pounds of sport fish and 6 pounds of food fish. Commercial take is 7 pounds per acre. The rate of catch of sport fish, based upon tag returns, is only 3 percent. Sixteen storage reservoirs support an average angling pressure of 5.0 trips per acre per year and an average catch of 13 pounds of sport fish and 1 pound of food fish. Commercial catch is of no significance. Average rate of catch of sport fish is 17 percent of the catchable population. Fish population studies indicate that there are twice as many sport fish and four times as many food fish in mainstream than there are in storage reservoirs. Some reservoirs produce harmful effects downstream. Discharges of cold water may seriously reduce fishery values in tailwaters and downstream impoundments. Furthermore, migration of non-sport fish from reservoirs into tributary streams may reduce fishery values there. In recognition of these problems, the development and application of sound management procedures may be accomplished by controlling species composition and availability of fish through water level control, timber clearing, application of selective toxicants, commercial fishing, introduction of new fish species, and the management of tailwaters and tributaries. Extended research and interagency cooperation are necessary to properly develop and apply sound management. Promotion of angling and regulation of the fishery may best be realized by providing adequate fishing facilities, elimination of certain restricted areas, and in some cases revision of laws and regulations. Biologists must not only meet the present demands for improved sport fishing but must also balance fish yield by increasing the use of food fish by sport and commercial operations.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗