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Whitefish, Lake

( Set Gillnet from Lake Michigan)

Rating:
Great Lakes populations of lake whitefish were reduced in the mid-1900s by overfishing, habitat damage and the introduction of non-native species. Today, the species has recovered and is a "Best Choice" from Lake Superior and Lake Huron, and from Lake Michigan when caught by trap net.

Market Names:
Gizzard Fish, Grande Coregone, Sault Whitefish, Whitefish

Summary:
Lake whitefish is found throughout North America and is the dominant deepwater fish in the Great Lakes. For over a century, the Great Lakes have supported an important commercial lake whitefish fishery with most of the U.S. catch originating in Lake Michigan and the majority of the Canadian catch coming from Lake Huron.

In the mid-1900s, a combination of overfishing, habitat degradation and the introduction of invasive, non-native species virtually wiped out lake whitefish in many areas of the Great Lakes. Restoration projects have led to their recovery.

While lake whitefish from the Great Lakes are again healthy, abundant and well managed, there are concerns about bycatch levels and habitat impacts by fisheries using gillnets - impacts that are currently not well understood.

Lake whitefish in Lake Huron and Lake Superior are a "Best Choice," while those caught in Lake Erie are a "Good Alternative." In Lake Michigan, fish caught by trap net are considered a "Best Choice," while those caught by gillnet are a "Good Alternative."

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