"Sport Fishing"

In the 1960's, the introduction of Coho and Chinook salmon into Lake Michigan greatly expanded sport fishing. In 1964, over 600,000 Coho smolts were stocked in the Platte River and Bear Creek, both tributaries of Lake Michigan, and in 1966 a similar program was implemented with Chinook, or King, salmon. Although it was uncertain whether a non-native species usually considered a salt-water fish would succeed in a fresh water environment, the fish thrived. The Chinook program proved even more successful than the Coho because the species is larger and matures to a larger size in a shorter time. In the autumn of 1967, large numbers of mature fish were caught and the fishery erupted, drawing national media attention. Tourism boomed, and the region has continued to feel an enormous economic impact for 45 years through new fishing equipment, boats, technologies, restaurants, lodging facilities, and retailers.

Ludington, Michigan · United States