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The first twelve months of the “Fish for All” project were devoted to research on Lake Michigan fisheries policy history. The team consulted hundreds of books, articles, and reports on fisheries policy. Assisted by the students of WMU’s 1999, Great Lakes Maritime Community History Summer Field School, the “Fish for All” team interviewed fifty-six persons regarding the management and conservation of Lake fisheries. The GLCMS is indebted to each of these individuals for their participation in our effort to document and interpret different views regarding fisheries management.
 Nine of the oral history interviews gathered in the Grand Traverse Bay area were incorporated into a radio documentary, “Fish for All.” Produced by WMUK-FM, WMU’s National Public Radio member station, the documentary was co-written by Andy Robins of the radio station staff, and former GLCMS intern Abraham Hohnke. The twenty-nine minute documentary premiered in December, 1999 on WMUK. It has also aired on other National Public Radio member stations across the country and the Voice of America radio network.
The “Fish for All” team collected over one hundred artifacts, documents, and photographs relating to the management of Lake Michigan fisheries. Most of this material was borrowed from the personal or family collections of active and retired state and federal government fisheries officials and tribal, commercial, and sport fishers. As a result, many of the items in the exhibit have never been accessible to the public. The material collected by the "Fish for All" team will not only be used in the exhibit, it will also be used in the publication and educational materials.
 The “Fish for All” team conceptualized the “Fish for All” exhibit, selected the artifacts, photographs, and documents to be included, and wrote the exhibition labels. The team maintained regular contact with the staff of the Michigan State University Museum, who designed and built the exhibit. Team members have also organized a series of public educational programs that will be held at each exhibit venue. These programs range from lectures to musical performances.
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