Alewives show up in force along Lake Mich. shore

Hundreds of thousands of alewives have been showing up along the Lake Michigan shoreline in recent weeks. The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported officials say there's been more of the fish than usual this year along parts of the northwestern Lower Peninsula. Jim Dexter is acting fisheries chief for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. He said some become stressed and die during the spawning process, and end up on beaches.

AP Wire

Jul 12, 2011

Dexter said the large number of alewives is good news for the salmon fishery. The small, silver fish are a key food source for fish such as salmon and lake trout. They compete with perch and other native species for food.