Michigan Sea Grant

09/02/2026

Manoomin, bottomlands, and a "Great Lakes Forever" pledge feature in some recommendations from a new study into steps that could help Michigan boost ecological protection and biodiversity goals for the Great Lakes: https://www.michiganseagrant.org/blog/2026/08/31/new-report-finds-michigan-can-lead-great-lakes-protection-in-region/

09/01/2026

Start your Labor Day weekend right by helping baby lake sturgeon get home!

Friday, Sept. 4, is the first of two release days around the Saginaw Bay region (second is Sept. 26). Join us in Chesaning, Midland, Frankenmuth, or Flint to carry these baby dinosaur fish into the river! https://buff.ly/0uEZ4QX

Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network

09/01/2026

Part guide, part entrepreneur, part educator, and part citizen scientist, charter captains spend hundreds of days each year on the water, observing changes in fish populations, water conditions, and angler preferences.

Their experiences provide an important connection between fisheries management, coastal communities, and the public: https://www.michiganseagrant.org/blog/2026/08/31/charter-fishing-plays-a-significant-role-in-michigans-coastal-economy/
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Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage trail story series explores how fisheries have shaped Michigan and our country throughout history; and how these stories live on today through the people, fish, and fishing that connect our coastline, culture and Great Lakes identity.
America250MI

Charter fishing plays a significant role in Michigan’s coastal economy Aug 31, 2026 | News Led by its captains, the charter fishing industry adapts to changing conditions. By Brandon Schroeder Captain Ed Retherford engaging 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp youth during a Lake Huron fishi...

08/31/2026

ICYMI -- August Upwellings is here! We're munching on Superior sushi, noodling for native mussels, managing Lake St. Clair's muck, and more: https://buff.ly/GzAUOvH

Bonus: we're running a fall sale on our Great Lakes and Michigan watersheds posters, and our lake sturgeon life cycle poster is also 50% off! www.miseagrant.com

08/28/2026

Great story from our friends at Minnesota Sea Grant, featuring a cohort of educators that included two from Michigan!

08/28/2026

Extra, extra -- August Upwellings is here! We're munching on Superior sushi, noodling for native mussels, managing Lake St. Clair's muck, and more: https://buff.ly/GzAUOvH

Bonus: we're running a fall sale on our Great Lakes and Michigan watersheds posters, and our lake sturgeon life cycle poster is also 50% off! www.miseagrant.com

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

If you use Great Lakes water level tools, nautical charts, or GIS programs, you rely on the Great Lakes Datum (an official reference point for measuring water heights around the region). The datum is getting an update soon, and NOAA wants YOUR input to shape future datum outreach/products (survey link https://buff.ly/m3tc0Sk ).

Plate techtonics fun fact: the Great Lakes Datum must be updated regularly, because our continental crust is still slowly bouncing back after ancient glaciers weighed it down (a phenomenon called "isostatic rebound").

OMB Control Number: 0690-0030 Expiration Date: 8/31/2026 Dear Great Lakes Practitioners! NOAA is currently updating the Great Lakes' water level datums and is seeking your input. Please take this survey if you use or may use water level datums or NOAA products (e.g., nautical charts, water level dat...

08/24/2026

A 5th-grade sturgeon science cruise with Friends of the St. Clair River sparked Simon Conover's love for freshwater ecology. This summer, he came full circle to work with them as a MISG-funded undergraduate intern!

As Friends of the St. Clair River wrote: "When we invest federal dollars in place-based education programs for youth, we are not just teaching a classroom lesson; we are training the future biologists and field scientists." (blog link: https://buff.ly/DtiXubT)

Thanks for helping Simon find his passion!

Get out and show the water some love!

08/21/2026

Dr. Howard Tanner, a giant among Great Lakes fish biologists and conservationists, passed away this week at the age of 102. Back in 2019, he spoke at Great Lakes Day about his new book, "Something Spectacular: My Great Lakes Salmon Story."

Watch the recording from his talk: https://buff.ly/QYrveKL