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I Speak for the Fish

Read the latest column from Great Lakes Now contributor Kathy Johnson

I Speak for the Fish: Bringing muskie to the masses
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

The goal of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources muskellunge rearing program is to stock 40,000 new fish into the Great Lakes each year. But their challenges are real.

I Speak for the Fish: The great seasonal flip
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

The Great Lakes underwater realm has distinct seasons just like the topside domain.

I Speak for the Fish: Carp are crazy about corn
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

Common carp are not the only species that enjoy a fresh ear of Michigan sweet corn as we discovered during a recent attempt at feeding.

I Speak for the Fish: Bloomin’ jellies in Lake Huron
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

A jellyfish bloom in the Great Lakes is a rare sight to behold but a camera installed in the St. Clair River captured one of the largest blooms ever recorded and live streamed them to the world.

I Speak for the Fish: Mesmerized by minnows
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

Dazzling metallic flashes radiated around me with each twist and turn of their slender bodies. I was completely immobilized and mesmerized by the splendor.  

I Speak for the Fish: Giddy up sucker
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

I’m a sucker for a cute sucker, but it’s a small fan club.

I Speak for the Fish: Facing the wrath of a crayfish

Harassment takes many forms and actions do have consequences. In this case, a tiny crayfish gets the last laugh when the harasser becomes the victim.

I Speak for the Fish: Searching for the elusive sculpin

Sculpin are masters of camouflage and only the most discerning of observers will ever spot one.

I Speak for the Fish: What’s the most popular freshwater fish?

Between catfish, lake sturgeon, muskellunge, logperch, round goby, rainbow trout, gizzard shad, northern madtom, sunfish and walleye, the readers’ favorite goes to…

I Speak for the Fish: Eyeballing Walleye
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

Walleye are known for their deadpan stare but there is more to this Great Lakes native than a ghostly gaze and a fillet sizzling in butter.

I Speak for the Fish: Playing follow-the-leader with diving ducks
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

A team of ducks leads us to where the invasive round gobies are overwintering and along the way schools us in how to find fish underwater.

I Speak for the Fish: Courting Sunfish
- by Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now

Sunfish offer a special opportunity for people, particularly families with children, to develop a lifelong love affair with nature and fish — no worm required.