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Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum
The Great Lakes Ecosystem

Fish are at the top of the food chain in lakes. They must rely on eating other fish, zooplankton, and other creatures in a lake. In the early stages of life they can be a few millimeters in size. Some can grow to over 8 ft in length.

Walleye

Walleye - Walleye are the largest member of the perch family. These battling fish are exciting to catch, delicious to eat and because they feed all winter, they can be caught year round. Walleyes eat small bass, trout, pike, perch and sunfishes. In April and May, walleyes spawn over rock shoals.

Pumpkinseed Fish

Pumpkinseed - This colorful fish can be caught near docks and weedbeds almost any time of the year. They are an aggressive fish that feeds mostly on algae and smaller fish.

Lake Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon - These massive fish can grow to over 8 ft (2.8m) long and are one of the oldest species of fish in the Great Lakes. This species has been around for at least 136 million years, at a time when dinosaurs were at the height of their development. Female lake sturgeon do not reach maturity until 14-23 years old and may live up to 80 years! Overfishing has reduced their population in all of the Great Lakes. They are now listed in 19 states as endangered or threatened.
EXPLORE: Learn about other fishes of the Great Lakes.
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