A laboratory Where Great Lakes Meet
NB: This section runs with the image "LSSU Aquatic Research Lab releases
thousands of Atlantic salmon"
Lake Superior State University’s Aquatic Research Laboratory is an educational and
research facility on the east end of a quarter-mile long hydroelectric plant on the St.
Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie. Mich. It is uniquely located to study a variety of
aquatic ecosystems including the St. Mary's River, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and
inland streams and lakes.
The lab started in 1977 as a cooperative venture between LSSU and Edison Sault
Electric Company, a collaboration that continues today with Cloverland Electric
Cooperative. It has raised whitefish, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling, and it has
conducted research on a variety of species, including lake sturgeon. In 1984, the lab
began a partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to produce
Atlantic salmon for release into the St. Mary's River to create a world-class sport
fishery. The lab rears and stocks an average of 40,000 yearlings annually.
The lab's emphasis is on providing students with valuable learning and work
experiences along with research opportunities. Many senior research projects, a
requirement for graduation, are conducted each year either at the lab or in
conjunction with its staff. Lab research partners include the National Science
Foundation, Michigan Sea Grant, Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, U.S. Forest
Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Canadian Forest Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
Run a Web search on "LSSU ARL" to follow the lab's activities on-line.
Fishcam Location and Facts
NB: This section runs with the image "LSSU Aquatic Research Lab manager
deploys underwater Fishcam"
The underwater camera broadcasts year 'round except for winter from the output side
of the Cloverland Electrical Cooperative's hydroelectric plant, immediately
downstream from LSSU's Aquatic Research Laboratory hatchery. In the winter, the
camera is brought inside and installed in one of the lab's tanks or raceways.
What to look for:
Adult Atlantic salmon returning to where they were released
Whitefish that mainly feed close to the bottom
Periodic sea lamprey, northern pike, walleye, perch, and chinook and pink salmon
Diving waterfowl, such as cormorants and mergansers