Green Bay Becomes Whitefish Refuge as Species Vanishes Elsewhere

Once considered too polluted, Wisconsin's southern Green Bay has become a haven for whitefish, offering lessons for Michigan's struggling populations.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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As whitefish disappear from much of the lower Great Lakes, polluted Green Bay has become an unlikely haven for the fish. Scientists hope the bay's unlikely recovery may offer clues for Michigan and other states, but recent population declines have sparked fears about the future of Lake Michigan's last whitefish stronghold.

Why it matters

Whitefish are an iconic Great Lakes species, and their collapse has dealt a blow to Michigan's environment, culture, economy, and dinner plates. Understanding what has allowed Green Bay's whitefish population to thrive could provide valuable insights for recovery efforts throughout the region.

The details

Once written off as too polluted to support many whitefish, southern Green Bay has produced an unlikely population boom in recent years, even as the species vanishes from most of the lower Great Lakes. Nutrient pollution from farms and factories may have helped bolster the bay's whitefish population, spawning a world-class recreational fishing scene while helping commercial fisheries in Michigan and Wisconsin stay afloat. However, sophisticated population models have shown fewer baby fish making their way into the Green Bay population, prompting worries that Lake Michigan's last whitefish stronghold may be weakening.

  • In the late 1990s, scientists began spotting whitefish in Green Bay area rivers where they hadn't been seen in a century.
  • By the early 2010s, models show the bay was teeming with tens of millions of whitefish.
  • Since the mid-2010s, whitefish stocks have shrunk by half according to population models.

The players

Bruce Smith

An ice fisherman who regularly fishes in southern Green Bay, which he calls "Whitefish Town, USA".

Terry Gross

An ice fishing buddy of Bruce Smith's who also regularly fishes in southern Green Bay.

Scott Hansen

A senior fisheries biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources who has studied the whitefish resurgence in Green Bay.

Todd Stuth

A commercial fisherman whose business now gets 90% of its catch from Green Bay, up from 20% before the turn of the millennium.

JJ Malvitz

A commercial fishing guide who owes his career to Green Bay's whitefish resurgence, but now fears the "good old days" may be coming to an end.

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What they’re saying

“This is a paradise. The best fishing I can ever remember, for the species I want to catch.”

— Bruce Smith, Ice fisherman

“If these trends continue, we need to have some more serious discussions amongst ourselves about lowering the exploitation rates.”

— Scott Hansen, Senior fisheries biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

“A very conservative approach is going to be necessary, because it's our last stronghold. If that goes away, what do we have?”

— Todd Stuth, Commercial fishing board chair

What’s next

Wisconsin officials are considering lowering Green Bay's annual whitefish quota, which is currently split evenly between commercial and recreational fisheries, in order to protect the population.

The takeaway

Green Bay's unexpected whitefish resurgence offers valuable lessons for Michigan and other Great Lakes states struggling with declining whitefish populations. However, recent population declines in the bay have raised concerns about the long-term viability of this last whitefish stronghold, underscoring the need for careful management to ensure the species' survival.