Who We Are
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program has played a vital role in conserving America's fisheries since 1871, partnering with states, tribes, federal agencies, other Service programs, and private interests in efforts to conserve fish and other aquatic resources. The Fisheries Program provides a broad network of on-the-ground expertise that is unique in its geographic coverage, its array of scientific capabilities, and its ability to work strategically across political and jurisdictional boundaries.
How We Help
Established in 1992, the Green Bay Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office implements the Service’s fisheries programs in the Lake Michigan and Great Lakes basins to conserve, protect, manage, and restore native fish and wildlife resources and the habitats they rely on. Our activities include native fish restoration, fish population assessment and survey design, interjurisdictional and Treaty fisheries management, mass marking of trout and salmon stocked into the Great Lakes basin, fish passage and aquatic habitat evaluation and restoration, and monitoring and response to the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.
Tribal Trust Responsibilities
Conserving U.S. fish and other aquatic resources cannot be successful without the partnership of tribes. They manage or influence some of the most important aquatic habitats both on and off reservations. In addition, the federal government and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have distinct and unique obligations toward tribes based on trust responsibility, treaty provisions, and statutory mandates.
The Green Bay Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office provides fisheries management technical assistance to support the fisheries and conservation programs of Tribal governments within the Lake Michigan basin. We play a significant role to implement the terms of the 2000 Consent Decree, the negotiated federal court order that specifies the allocation of the fishery resources within the 1836 Treaty waters in lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior among five Great Lakes Tribal governments and the State of Michigan. Staff participate and contribute to the annual assessment of fish stocks and calculation of harvest limits for lake trout and lake whitefish.