From the earliest days, people have been drawn to the beauty, resources, and way of life found in the Great Lakes. It is no secret why. The lakes are incredible in every sense of the word. The people and these inland seas have been intricately intertwined from the start. Perhaps the most dynamic relationship in that history has been with the Great Lakes fishery—the focus of this book.

In this fourth edition of The Life of the Lakes, we have continued to review the Great Lakes fishery of the past; to outline the current status of the Great Lakes fishery today; and to discuss fisheries issues expected in the future. We have also provided an overview of freshwater ecology and management. A new section provides a quick reference for each lake and connecting channel, and there are more graphics and pictures, printed in full color, to illustrate the story of the Great Lakes through time.

We hope you find The Life of the Lakes to be a valuable, educational, and interesting resource for the Great Lakes fishery.

Brandon C. Schroeder and Dan M. O’Keefe are Michigan Sea Grant Extension educators. Shari L. Dann is Associate Professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University.