Ludington in Mason County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"Sport Fishing"
By Bryce Petit, Durango, Colorado
— Mason County Sculpture Trail —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2016
1. "Sport Fishing" Marker
In 1964, over 600,000 Coho smolts were stocked in the Platte River and Bear Creek, both tributaries of Lake Michigan. In 1966, a similar program was implemented with Chinook (King) Salmon. It was not known whether the plant of a non-native species usually considered a salt-water fish, would be successful in the fresh water environment. The fish thrived.
The Chinook program was even more successful than the Coho since the species is larger and matures to a larger size in a shorter time span. In the autumn of 1967, the fishery erupted with large numbers of mature fish being caught. The fishery's success was so great, it attracted national media attention. Tourism boomed. The enormous economic impact on the region has continued for 45 years with the development of new fishing equipment, boats, and technologies as well as with restaurants, lodging facilities, and retailers.
This sculpture, signifying the significant impact of sport fishing on Lake Michigan is given by the Barry and Carol Polston family in loving memory of Barry, husband and father, who loved and lived sport fishing on his boat "Trust Me."
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 43° 57.174′ N, 86° 27.667′ W. Marker is in Ludington, Michigan, in Mason County. Bas relief and marker are about 800 feet southwest of the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Loomis Street, near the inner harbor channel jetty. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Maritime Heritage Park, Ludington MI 49431, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "The Abbie" (within shouting distance of this marker); S.S. Pere Marquette 18 (approx. ¼ mile away); Armistice Day Storm (approx. 0.4 miles away); S.S. City of Flint 32 (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); World War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); S.S. Badger / Ludington Car Ferries (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ludington.
Also see . . .
1. The Mason County Sculpture Trail. Visit Ludington website entry (Submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. History of state-licensed Great Lakes commercial fishing. Michigan Department of Natural Resources website entry (Submitted on January 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2016
2. "Sport Fishing" Bas Relief and Marker
3. Lake Michigan Game Fish - Life Histories. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website entry (Submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. The Great Lakes Economy: The Growth Engine of North America. Council of the Great lakes Region website entry (Submitted on January 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2016
3. "Sport Fishing" Bas Relief
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2016
4. Sport Fishing Boats Heading Out Through The Harbor Channel
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 28, 2016
5. "Sport Fishing" Bas Relief and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 367 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 2, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
