[keyman]

I was just wondering has the DNR ever tried to plant salmon in any other lakes besides the Great Lakes ? Here in southern In. we have several large strip pits that range up to 80 feet deep and are loaded with shad. The DNR stock rainbows in the pits here every year ...why not salmon too, any ideas ?

 

[Fishndude]

are a lot deeper than 80 feet, for the most part. Lake Erie is the shallowest, and it gets pretty deep. Lake Michigan is something like 750 feet deep, and Lake Huron is around 600 feet deep. Not that Salmon live that deep, but they are huge lakes and huge ecosystems. Salmon need that to thrive. Rainbows should do well, but probably won't get the size of Steelhead in that relatively small sized lake.

 

[Beave]

Yes they have.

There are some lakes that they've planted atlantic salmon in in the past. There are strains of atlantics that live in Sweden up in the mountains in freshwater lakes. No saltwater spawning, they do it all in fresh water. They've tried to plant some of those here.

They don't do well, our lakes aren't cold enough.

 

[fishlkmich]

The answer is yes. The Michigan DNR has planted Kokanee (landlocked Sockeye) in several lakes. They never had much success. These Salmon have had some success in large reservoirs, out west.

Edited to say thanks, Beave, I forgot about the Atlantics and you type faster than I do!