Salmon species inhabit Lake Superior. While not native, these fish have established a significant presence, becoming an integral part of the lake’s ecosystem and a popular target for anglers. Their introduction was a deliberate effort to manage the lake’s fish populations and enhance recreational fishing opportunities.
Salmon Species in Lake Superior
Lake Superior is home to several salmon species, each with distinct characteristics. Chinook salmon, often called King salmon, are the largest non-native salmonid in the lake, known for their powerful fighting ability. They display a dark back with bright, silvery sides and have spots on their entire tail. Chinook salmon are prized for their size, often weighing several pounds, with some exceeding ten pounds.
Coho salmon, also known as silver salmon, are a slightly smaller species, ranging from one and a half to three pounds in Lake Superior. They are recognized by their steel-blue to green backs and bright silver sides, with spots on the upper part of their tail. Pink salmon, or “humpies,” are the smallest of the Pacific salmon found in the lake, weighing around a pound. They are identifiable by their small scales and large oval black spots on their back and tail, with males developing a distinctive hump during spawning.
Atlantic salmon, while less abundant, are also present and are highly valued game fish, originally native to Lake Ontario. They can reach weights of three to ten pounds, with some reported up to twenty pounds in the Great Lakes.
The History of Salmon in Lake Superior
Salmon species were not originally found in Lake Superior, as they are primarily anadromous, meaning they migrate between freshwater and saltwater environments. Their presence in the Great Lakes basin stems from various introduction efforts, primarily through stocking programs. Coho salmon were first introduced to Lake Superior by the state of Michigan in 1966, with Minnesota beginning its stocking efforts in 1969. These early introductions aimed to diversify the recreational sport fishery and help control burgeoning populations of non-native alewife, which had become an ecological concern in other Great Lakes.
Chinook salmon introductions followed, with initial attempts in the Great Lakes region dating back to the late 1800s. More significant efforts to establish Chinook salmon in Lake Superior began in 1967. Pink salmon found their way into the lake serendipitously; eggs from British Columbia were brought to Ontario in 1955, and an accidental release of approximately 21,000 fingerlings into the Current River in 1956 led to their establishment. This accidental introduction resulted in Lake Superior hosting the only known self-perpetuating freshwater population of pink salmon.
Minnesota also initiated an Atlantic salmon program in 1980 to further diversify the sport fishery. These stocking initiatives aimed to create a “put-grow-take” fishery, providing anglers with a new fishing opportunity.
Ecological Impact and Fishing Opportunities
The introduction of salmon into Lake Superior has created both ecological shifts and recreational opportunities. As predators, Chinook and Coho salmon primarily feed on other fish species, including rainbow smelt and ciscoes, playing a role in the lake’s food web. While their presence helps manage forage fish populations, there is also some concern that these non-native predators could compete with or impact native species like lake trout. Unlike Pacific salmon, Atlantic salmon do not die after spawning, allowing them to contribute to the fishery over multiple seasons.
For anglers, Lake Superior offers fishing opportunities for these introduced salmon species. Chinook, Coho, Pink, and Atlantic salmon are sought after for their fighting qualities and, in some cases, for their table fare. Fishing for salmon can occur in various locations, including the lake’s deeper waters during summer and its tributaries during their fall spawning runs. The success of these non-native salmon populations has fostered a sport fishing industry around Lake Superior, attracting anglers from various regions.