For Friday, June 12, 2026

1 – Walleye is king. The fish is now the most-harvested species in the Great Lakes, followed by yellow perch. 

Those are among the findings of a new creel survey from the state Department of Natural Resources. 

Officials say Lake Huron alone accounts for nearly 80 percent of the fishing effort in Michigan waters of the Great Lakes. 

This is largely driven by the recovery of the walleye population in Saginaw Bay. That population is estimated to number more than 14 million fish age 2 and older. 

Natural reproduction of walleye has soared in the bay since the collapse of the alewife population in the early 2000s. Alewife feed on the eggs and fry of other fish species. But alewife populations fell sharply after invasive mussels became established in Lake Huron, altering the food web. 

By the way, this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, is free fishing weekend in Michigan. No fishing license is required. 

…

2 – Beach season is here. 

Saginaw Bay was above 70 degrees along the shoreline earlier this week (Tuesday, June 9). 

Some beach safety tips: 

• Choose buoyed swim areas at state parks. Their placement is based on shallower water, typically less than 5-feet deep, and lower risk of dangerous currents and waves. 

• Follow the Great Lakes warning system of flags posted at state park beaches. Green is low hazard. Yellow is medium. Red is high. 

• Two red flags equals double danger, and the waters are closed. When two red flags are posted, you’re not allowed to enter the water from the beach. It’s the law. 

– Mr. Great Lakes is (normally) heard Friday mornings in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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