Lake Michigan Fish Community Data Set

View the Data: USGS 1973 2008.xlsx

Summary: This data set shows changes in the Lake Michigan plankton-eating fish (planktivore) community over time. Data are for alewife, rainbow smelt, and bloater from 1973-2008. This data set is limited to only 3 of the more than 20 species found in the trawls. These three species are important forage fish (preferred prey for fish that eat other fish) in Lake Michigan.

Sample Inquiry Questions:

• How have these three fish species changed through time?
• Is there evidence that the stocking of salmon (starting just prior to this data) was having an effect on alewife?
• Is there evidence that the management strategy (stocked salmon reducing alewives) worked?
• Do populations of planktivorous fish vary much year-to-year in Lake Michigan? Or are they relatively stable (constant) populations?

Data Source: David Bunnell and Chuck Madenjian, USGS – Great Lakes Science Center

Muskegon River Chinook Salmon Data Set

View the Data: Chinook salmon smolt

Summary: This data set contains information on juvenile salmon in the Muskegon River, Michigan. It includes the number and size of Chinook salmon smolt, the average daily river temperature, and the discharge measured at Croton Dam on the Muskegon River in Croton Township.

Sample Inquiry Questions:

• Does the salmon smolt production differ (in timing, numbers, or size) from year to year?
• When does peak smolt production occur?
• Is smolt production related to temperature or flow (discharge)?

Data Source: NOAA-GLERL Natural Recruitment of Salmonids in the Muskegon River, Michigan, Mason, D.M, Rutherford, E.S.