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State and Federal Government Perspectives
Patrol Boat No. 1
This section of the exhibit examined state and federal government officials’ views and beliefs regarding the management and conservation of Lake Michigan fisheries. State agencies in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana function as an advocate for the protection and management of Lake Michigan fisheries resources within its territorial waters on behalf of the public. The states work with commercial, state, and tribal fishers in the development of fisheries policy. State involvement in Lake Michigan fisheries in Michigan and Wisconsin increased after the 1960s decision to stock the lake with salmon. Federal agencies play a role in pollution and sea lamprey control. Both federal and state agencies support fisheries research and education. A tradition of serving state and federal agencies that manage Lake Michigan fisheries is a cultural characteristic of certain families, communities, and state-supported universities.
Patrol Boat No. I was used by the Michigan Department of Conservation to regulate the commercial fishing industry in it waters between 1929-1959. Historical phonographs from numerous private and public collections were studied and utilized in the exhibit. Photo courtesy of Michigan Historical Center.
Photographs of exhibit while at the MSU Museum
State agencies in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana regulate fisheries resources in the public interest. Since 1985, the states have shared this authority with the Chippewa Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority. Other organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Sea Grant College program, and international bodies including the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, promote cooperation between the states and the U.S. and Canada.
Oral History Excerpts
“And I guess if I had to pick out one thing that’s the saddest event in the time I was with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission ... was watching demise of the commercial fishery in a lot of areas. I have always felt that the commercial fishery can live and be viable along with a recreational fishery, but the management has to be very tight on it.” Carlos Fetterolf, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1999

“Well, when you have that kind of numbers of fish, it brings out the worst behavior in people. We ended up having a lot of problems with trespass, littering, violations, spearing, [and] clubbing.” Ralph Hay, Traverse City, Michigan, 1999

“So when you ask about a recovery, I think its more of a changing system where some things are winning and some things are losing...I don’t think it is possible for us to ever go back to what it was.” Jory Jonas, Charlevoix, Michigan, 1999
Howard Tanner
“And we looked at the fisheries resource, at least in Michigan, as being a publicly owned resource and how can we best serve the public best or the majority of the people and we thought we could do that through a recreational fishery.” Myrl Keller, Charlevoix, Michigan, 1999

“But it's never been quite as contentious working with the sport fishery as it has been for the commercial fishery and I think it is mostly due to the fact that its not a threat to their livelihoods.” Jim Moore, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 1999

“The Great Lakes will never be rehabilitated by timid men. If you're gonna do it, you gotta get in there and fight.” Wayne Tody, Traverse City, Michigan, 1999

“We made a hard and fast rule if you haven't reported $5000 average, you don’t have a fishing license. When we did that, we eliminated all the tribal fisherman. That's with hindsight an obvious mistake. That's when they took us to court. That's when they won....” Howard Tanner, Haslett, Michigan, 1999
Howard Tanner. Photograph by Michael J. Chiarappa.
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