The Great Lakes’ most emblematic fish could be consigned to history books

A delicacy for centuries and a key part of Native tradition, the lake whitefish has seen its population crash. Researchers know why … but stopping it is another matter From the basement of the Sandusky library, page 29 of the book Sandusky of To-Day proclaims the town to be the “largest fresh water fish market in the world”. Two pages later, an image of the lake whitefish, referred to as “Sandusky’s pride”, takes up the entire page. But the book was published in 1888. Continue reading...

Stephen Starr in Sandusky, Ohio · Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 5:00 AM
US news | The Guardian

The Great Lakes’ most emblematic fish could be consigned to history books

A delicacy for centuries and a key part of Native tradition, the lake whitefish has seen its population crash. Researchers know why … but stopping it is another matter

From the basement of the Sandusky library, page 29 of the book Sandusky of To-Day proclaims the town to be the “largest fresh water fish market in the world”. Two pages later, an image of the lake whitefish, referred to as “Sandusky’s pride”, takes up the entire page.

But the book was published in 1888.

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