NPS photo

Fishing on a inland lake

The lakes and streams of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore support populations of cool water game fish and trout, and can supply a limited amount of fish for angler consumption. Major cool water game species include smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), northern pike (Esox lucius), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and non-native smelt (Osmerus mordax).

Typical trout species found in the lakeshore are brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), lake trout (Salvelinus namycush), and non-native rainbow trout or "steelhead" (Salmo gairdneri). The white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), common in the diet of Bald Eagles, a variety of minnows, darters, sculpin and dace, and sun fish are also common.

In all, 59 species are present in Lakeshore waters. From 1997 to 2005 coaster brook trout, a life form variant of brook trout that spends much of its life cycle in Lake Superior, was experimentally re-introduced in the Mosquito River, Sevenmile Creek, and Hurricane River, in concert with a Lake Superior-wide restoration program. Research is providing data about the movement of brook trout and their stream habitats.

Prior to the establishment of the national Lakeshore, many species were stocked into (including non-natives) and removed from waters of the area by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The NPS is now seeking to manage for a more natural fishery, and stocking of fish no longer occurs.