Doing good for the Great Lakes. Official account for Michigan Sea Grant (MISG), a collaborative NOAA program housed at University of Michigan and Michigan State University Extension.
MISG intern Zoey Crossley had extra hands on deck this week! Third-year campers from 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp visited Thunder Bay Natl Marine Santuary to help Zoey collect water samples to shed light on Lake Huron acidification. Catch up on Zoey's summer blog posts: buff.ly/Fqs5v6o
#FoodieFriday That's a wrap on July's Mi Fresh Fish events -- no, really, that's a wrapped roll of sushi, made with poached lake trout, spicy mayo, and savory seasoned rice! Recipe from Anthony Johnson, food systems specialist for Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, on Freshwater Feasts:
Superior sushi rollGreat Lakes sushi? Give it a try!buff.lyJoin us on October 7, 2026 (8am-4:30pm) to celebrate Saginaw Bay at the biennial State of the Bay Conference! Hear from researchers, educators, nonprofits, and more on three tracks of focus: Environmental Education, Community Development, and Watershed Issues and Management: buff.ly/vugzCaO
We partnered with MSU Extension and Belle Isle Conservancy on a fresh edition of "Beautiful Belle Isle," published this summer. Explore historical and natural sites around Detroit's island park with this pocket-sized guidebook. Pick up your copy from BIC! buff.ly/uANO4cU
A pilot project will remove large mats of algae build-up from three locations on Lake St. Clair. MISG Extension Educator Erica Anculle explains the connection between mucky mats and invasive mussels:
Project to remove thick mats of algae on Lake St. Clair to begin this fallThe $800,000 pilot project will allow the removal of the mats with researchers studying what happens after.buff.lyMSU's excellent Conservation Stewards Program is running classes in six counties this fall -- which one will you join? Registration is open through August 9 in Berrien, Macomb, Marquette, Muskegon, Osceola/Lake/Mecosta, and Wayne counties: buff.ly/QdWkAaH
Michigan legislators are providing Michigan DNR with one-time funding to help boost struggling whitefish populations. But the money can't make a dent in one of the whitefish's biggest threats: invasive mussels.
Michigan fisheries get one-time funding for whitefish restorationFor the first time, Michigan’s Fisheries Division is getting funding specifically for whitefish recovery, but officials say it's not enough to solve the ecosystem issues causing the species' decline.buff.lyWe're blown away by the response to our first Mi Fresh Fish Fry in Escanaba -- 400 folks came out to celebrate MI's beloved fishing/fish processing industries! Shout-out to Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation for sponsoring and to the vendors and volunteers. Peek at the day's activities: buff.ly/ShVJs7U
MI Fresh Fry 2026 Hosts Large Crowd Entering into Marina FestThe celebration of Michigan’s commercial and recreational fisheries was an idea started by Sea Grant Extension Educator Lauren Stigers.www.uppermichiganssource.comWe're smack-dab in harmful algal bloom (HAB) season, so brush up on tips for identifying these watery hazards and keeping pets and loved ones safe:
Here's how to tell if something might be a harmful algal bloom and report it to the stateMichigan's environment department has a new online form that people can use to report suspected harmful algal blooms — usually bright green patches of lake water.buff.lyWe're aware that the #GLANSIS home page isn't showing up properly in Google searches at the moment due to a web crawler snafu -- don't worry, the site is still live, and our web team at NOAA GLERL is working to resolve the problem! In the meantime, here's a direct link: www.glerl.noaa.gov/glansis/
Sounds like Traverse City-area teacher Mandi Young had an incredible experience on the EPA research vessel Lake Guardian! Check out her interview with Interlochen Public Radio: buff.ly/2PorKkW
Traverse City teacher sets sail on Great Lakes research boatA science teacher at The Pathfinder School was one of two Michigan teachers selected for a week-long trip aboard the Environmental Protection Agency's largest research vessel traveling across Lake…www.interlochenpublicradio.org#FoodieFriday It's time for the Escanaba Mi Fresh Fish Fry! Taste this recipe at the free, fun, family-friendly event or try it for yourself at home:
Pan-fried tavern perchBreaded and fried fish is hard to beat.buff.lyCelebrate 25 years of lake sturgeon research at the Blake River Lake Sturgeon Rearing Program! Join a reception in East Lansing on Sept. 25, 2026, with free showings of the "Dinosaur Fish" documentary, panel discussions, and more. Free, registration required: buff.ly/psuqGQe
Managing muck (mats of benthic algae called Microseira wollei) on Lake St. Clair is an ongoing battle: buff.ly/6YalIjg
Swing by Escanaba's Mi Fresh Fish Fry on Friday to taste this almost-lobster burbot boil for yourself!
Almost-lobster burbot boilTry this unsung hero of the Great Lakes for your next fish boil!buff.lyIf you live in southeast Michigan, SEMCOG wants to hear from you: how has flooding impacted you personally? How might your community build resilience to keep homes and businesses safe? Take the survey by August 11 to make sure your voice is heard! buff.ly/rt7Ztmo
Whet your appetite for Friday's Mi Fresh Fish Fry in Escanaba with this dunk-n-fry whitefish recipe:
Michigan dunk-n-fry whitefishBeer or soda water add extra flair to the batter for this easy fish fry.buff.ly"Fish is a fighting food" -- MI's World War II commercial fishermen rarely appear in wartime narratives, yet their contribution was considered essential by the U.S. gov. Working long hours in dangerous conditions, they supplied food when the nation and its allies needed it most: buff.ly/Ktucct0
Fishing is sometimes thought of as an expensive hobby that drives coastal tourism, but it can also be an affordable way to harvest food and enjoy the great outdoors close to home. Discover the real value of Great Lakes recreational fishing: buff.ly/J04unnO
Recreational fishing provides food, fun, and funding for conservation in Michigan | Michigan Sea GrantJun 16, 2026 | Newsbuff.ly