SAULT STE. MARIE — The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has completed its annual walleye and whitefish stocking efforts, releasing more than half a million fish across the waters of the 1836 Ceded Territory this summer.
According to an Oct. 6 news release, tribal biologists released an estimated 437,696 walleye fingerlings and 109,847 whitefish into lakes and bays throughout the eastern Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula following another successful incubation and pond-raising season.
“Each year, these efforts account for a significant share of all walleye fingerlings released statewide, contributing millions of dollars in economic activity for both commercial and sport fisheries,” said Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes. “And our biologists continue to lead the state in developing pond-raising techniques to help support broader efforts to revive whitefish populations that have been harmed by invasive mussels.”
The tribe’s walleye hatchery has been operating for nearly 30 years and has stocked more than 20.5 million walleye since its launch in 1995.
The same methods are now being applied to whitefish, making the tribe one of the few organizations in North America to successfully raise and stock the species using this approach.
This year’s pond-raised walleye were released in several locations, including 24,572 in the Sault area, 71,639 in Lake Nicolet, 69,670 in Lake George, 24,888 in Raber Bay and 141,295 in Potagannissing Bay.
The stocking program aims to boost both economic and ecological sustainability, supporting fisheries impacted by invasive species and environmental changes.
“This work reflects our deep responsibility to protect the waters and fisheries that have sustained our people for generations, and it’s something we take great pride in,” Lowes said.
The tribe collaborated with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and The Nature Conservancy to expand its whitefish program, more than doubling the number of whitefish released compared to 2024.