In a surprising discovery, scientists have found the Shortnose Cisco, a native Great Lakes whitefish thought to be extinct for nearly 40 years, in Lake Superior. The fish was once abundant in the Great Lakes but was pushed to the brink of extinction due to overfishing and invasive species. Despite being last recorded in Lake Ontario in 1964, Lake Michigan in 1982, and Lake Huron in 1985, the Shortnose Cisco was rediscovered in Lake Superior in 2022.
Research conducted by the US Geological Survey (USGS) has revealed that there are four distinct coregonine species in Lake Superior, including the Shortnose Cisco. This finding validates the work of early fishery researcher Walter Koeltz, who identified the fish in the 1920s but was later dismissed. Bringing back native cisco species to the Great Lakes could help restore the ecosystem and provide more stability in the face of invasive species and other threats.
Efforts to restore native cisco populations have shown success in Saginaw Bay, Michigan, where young fish raised in hatcheries have survived and reached adulthood. Similar restoration efforts are being made in other parts of the Great Lakes, such as reintroducing cisco in Lake Erie. While some anglers prioritize sports fish, restoring native species like coregonines can enhance the overall health and resilience of the Great Lakes ecosystem. By strategically bringing back these flexible and adaptable fish, managers hope to create a more stable and resilient environment for the future.
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