Atlantic salmon are native to Lake Ontario; but their populations severely declined by the late 1800s due to human influences. During the early to mid-1900s, Atlantic salmon were stocked throughout the Great Lakes in effort to reestablish them into Lake Ontario and introduce the species into the upper Great Lakes. However, these efforts experienced minimal success.  In 1987, Lake Superior State University with the assistance of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, began stocking Atlantic salmon in the St. Mary’s River, Michigan, which has resulted in a successful, self-supporting hatchery operation and stable recreational Atlantic salmon fishery.

Lake Superior State University Aquatic Research Laboratory Manager, Roger Greil, has been the guiding force behind the successful reintroduction of Atlantic salmon within the upper Great Lakes.  Roger has always contended that Atlantic salmon are “a fish in search of a reason to die”.  Possibly due to a combination of stress and susceptibility to disease.  Thwarted by competition with other salmonid species for spawning habitat, prey selection causing detrimental effects on early life stages and high rates of early mortality syndrome, Atlantic salmon appeared to be severely limited in their ability to naturally reproduce within the upper Great Lakes.

Roger capitalized on the advantages of the St. Mary’s River program which include: 1) the LSSU hatchery is located on the St. Mary’s River, uses St. Mary’s River water, and fish are stocked directly into the river without additional transport, resulting in increased homing and greatly reduced hauling stress; 2) the St. Mary’s River has abundant forage (larval Rainbow Smelt and Cisco Coregonus artedi) and stocking can be timed so receiving temperatures are ideal for survival; 3) over 80% of the Atlantic Salmon are caught in the St. Mary’s River indicating a high degree of homing behavior that makes the fish more vulnerable to anglers; and 4) the St. Mary’s River is cool and large, allowing spawning phase Atlantic Salmon to begin migration as early as June and July, while many smaller streams do not take runs until the mid-late fall season.  All of these factors aided in the successful reintroduction of Atlantic salmon.

For over 30 years, LSSU has been one of the strongest university programs training new fisheries biologists and creating an environment for breakthrough aquatic research.  Most of that credit goes to one person, Mr. Roger Greil.  Since 1987, LSSU’s Aquatic Research Laboratory has created a world-class fishery for the Atlantic salmon species, and training many of MDNR’s current Fisheries Division employees over that time. Roger has been crucial to the success of that program, becoming a nationally-recognized expert on Atlantic salmon culture.

In recognition of his accomplishments, the Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen’s Association selected Roger Greil as the 2023 Dr. Howard A. Tanner Award recipient for his contributions to Michigan’s anadromous fish sport fishery.