Carthage College, Kenosha Wisconsin

Friday found us on the shore of beautiful Lake Michigan, on the campus of Carthage College in Kenosha. It was a perfect spring day and the lake was downright beautiful.



Conservation instructor Scott Hegrenes brought a class by and Professor Bogaard gave a quick lecture on the issues facing Pacific Salmon.



Professor Bogaard pointed out that Pacific Salmon are found in the Great Lakes. Chinook and Coho salmon were introduced in the throughout the 60's and 70's to control Alewive populations that had entered the Great Lakes. An invasive species, the alewive population would explode, then crash creating massive fish die-offs which littered Great Lakes beaches. Today, the salmon and steelhead are managed for the popular sport fishery that quickly followed their introduction. Aside from Chinook and Coho, there are even some scattered Pink salmon populations in the Great Lakes stemming from a one-time (some say accidental) introduction to Lake Superior.



Sadly, this was our last day in Wisconsin. We've had a lot of fun (almost too much fun) in the Badger State. Bill can't wait to get back and do a little fishing, and Nate is threatening to move to Madison. Too bad the tour can't just stay in Wisconsin, but we have to move on.


As the Blues Brother's put it:
ELWOOD: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, a half pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.

JAKE: Hit It.

Sweet Home, Chicago.