LANSING, MI-- The Department of Natural Resources says Great Lakes fisheries harvested more than $4 million worth of fish last year.
The DNR says 22 state-licensed commercial fisheries caught 3,762,000 pounds of fish in 2012. Twelve businesses operate in Lake Huron, five in Lake Michigan, three in Lake Superior, and two in Lake Erie.
Officials say the most lucrative quarry was whitefish. Lake whitefish made up 53 percent of the catch and was worth $3.2 million dockside, or about $16 million retail. Whitefish represents 77 percent of the Great Lakes fishing industry’s gross dockside value.
Other species included catfish, carp, yellow perch, sheepshead, and quillback.
