This story was originally published in the ‘2022 Local Food Guide for Michigan’
Michigan is surrounded by incredible freshwater lakes — and a bounty of local seafood! Seafood describes any fish or marine life that serves as food, so that includes freshwater proteins.
Michigan seafood can be produced through either aquaculture (farm-raised) or commercial fishing (wild-caught). Both of these industries are present in Michigan and provide a way for those who love to cook and eat seafood to celebrate Michigan’s fish producers. Fisheries are a vital part of Michigan’s heritage and an important cultural touchpoint for coastal communities.
Did you know?
Global seafood production is about 50% wild-caught and 50% farm-raised. Approximately 80% of U.S. seafood is imported.
AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture is the farming of fish and other aquatic life in a controlled environment. Michigan is home to both public (also known as hatcheries) and private operations that produce kitchen favorites like shrimp and trout, as well as bait fish, ornamental fish, stocking fish, and fee-fishing operations.
COMMERCIAL FISHING
Commercial fishing is the harvesting of wild-caught fish from their natural environment in large volumes to meet consumer demand. Michigan’s beloved lake whitefish represents 95% of the state’s commercial harvest sales.
FIND MICHIGAN FISH
Support Michigan’s fishing economy and find a local seafood producer or supplier near you! Built by Michigan Sea Grant and sister programs around the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder website makes it a snap to connect with producers of Michigan seafood. The online map shows where consumers can find and support local fish-producing businesses that produce seafood, bait fish, stocked fish, ornamentals, or fee-fishing anywhere in the Great Lakes region.
Dive into these resources to learn more about the region’s seafood producers and their industries:
EXPLORE THE GREAT LAKES FISHERIES HERITAGE TRAIL: greatlakesfisheriestrail.org
UNDERSTAND AQUACULTURE IN MICHIGAN AND THE REGION: greatlakesseagrant. com/aquaculture/
LEARN MORE ABOUT COMMERCIAL FISHING: mfpa.us
FIND LOCAL FRESHWATER FISH TO PURCHASE: freshfishfinder.org
RECIPE INSPIRATION: freshwaterfeasts.com
Michigan Sea Grant is a non-profit organization that helps to foster economic growth and habitat protection in coastal communitiesmichiganseagrant.org
LAUREN N. JESCOVITCH, PhD Extension Educator – Fisheries & Aquaculture
GENEVA LANGELAND, Communications Editor, Michigan Sea Grant