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History
Great Lakes Fishery Collapse and Recovery
The 20th century collapse of Great Lakes fisheries from sea lamprey invasion, industrial pollution, and overfishing - and the ongoing recovery.
Era: Contemporary Region: North America Year: 1950
📖 Overview
The Great Lakes lost most of their native lake trout to sea lamprey invasion after the Welland Canal was rebuilt in 1919. Combined with industrial pollution and overfishing, native stocks nearly disappeared by the 1950s. Sea lamprey control (starting 1958) and salmon stocking programs rebuilt sport fisheries. Lake trout are slowly returning in some lakes.