SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has once again contributed to the revitalization of Michigan’s aquatic ecosystems by releasing over 1 million walleye and 45,421 whitefish into the state’s northern waters this year. This initiative is part of the tribe’s fish-rearing program, which has successfully introduced 20 million walleye since its inception in 1995.

“We want to be good stewards for the environment,” Tribal Chairman Austin Lowes told Upper Michigan’s Source. “We want to give more to the fisheries than we take out, and we want to leave more resources for the next seven generations than what we currently have.”

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The program, led by Fisheries Biologist Jack Tuomikoski, addresses the challenges posed by invasive species such as mussels, which have diminished whitefish populations in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. 

Moreover, the tribe’s relationship with walleye and whitefish spans thousands of years. Walleye, in particular, holds significant value for commercial, subsistence, and sport fishing communities.

Historically, the Chippewa people have relied on fishing as a crucial part of their diet and economy. Prior to European contact, they developed sophisticated methods for harvesting and preserving fish, ensuring that their waterways remained productive. This historical legacy informs the tribe’s current efforts, which are designed to preserve these species for future generations.

Headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the tribe boasts a membership of 44,000 individuals and maintains landholdings, businesses, housing, and service centers throughout the Upper Peninsula.