LANSING, MI (AP)-- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says its hatcheries produced significantly more fish for stocking Great Lakes and inland waterways this year than in 2015.
The DNR's Fisheries Division stocked about 33.3 million fish this spring and summer, up from 25 million fish last year.
Fish are reared in state fish hatcheries for periods ranging from one month to 1.5 years before being released in waterways.
The DNR says stocking helps pump up to $4.2 billion a year into the state economy by supporting the sport fishing industry and related businesses.
Six state and two cooperative hatcheries produce particular species, strains and sizes of fish — mostly varieties of trout and salmon.
