A record amount of herring: The North Shore of Lake Superior is experiencing a remarkable phenomenon as a record number of lake herring have been spotted in the waters this November. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the high recruitment of these prized fish, signaling a significant boost to the local population. Cory Goldsworthy, the Lake Superior area supervisor at the Minnesota DNR, expressed his astonishment, noting that such an occurrence is rare and may only happen once in the span of a career dedicated to fisheries management.
The success of the 2022 recruitment cycle for lake herring has exceeded expectations, surpassing even the renowned 1984 benchmark often cited by fish biologists and commercial anglers studying Lake Superior. The lake herring, also known as cisco, play a crucial role in the lake’s ecosystem and food chain. Historically, they have been the primary focus of commercial fisheries, contributing millions of pounds annually to the region’s fishing industry since the 1940s. Despite facing a decline in recent years due to various factors, including fishing pressure and commercial harvesting for roe, the current surge in herring numbers has sparked optimism for the future of the entire ecosystem.
Goldsworthy emphasized the long-term impact of the significant herring population, highlighting the potential positive changes it could bring to Lake Superior’s ecosystem. With the abundance of herring now thriving in the waters, the outlook for the region’s fisheries and broader ecological balance appears promising. A record amount of herring and the renewed presence of these vital fish species offer hope for a vibrant and sustainable future for Lake Superior’s diverse aquatic life. Source thedailycourierng news