Which Great Lake has the most fish?

The Great Lakes, located in the northern part of the United States, are a dominant part of the landscape and have an impact on the rest of the country too. They are among the largest freshwater bodies in the world and together make up a fifth of the entire world’s surface freshwater.

This massive ecosystem is important for the region and for the humans living in the area. We rely on the lakes for transportation, water, and resources. One of the resources that the Great Lakes have in abundance (besides water) is fish!

There are about 177 species of fish across the five Great Lakes. Tallying the number of fish in the Great Lakes is a monumental task, but it’s been done. Currently, there are 139 native species and at least 34 non-native species living across the lakes.

When it comes to determining which Great Lake has the most fish, Lake Erie takes the lead. With its shallow waters and diverse ecosystem, Lake Erie boasts an impressive fishery that attracts anglers from near and far. The general rule is that Erie has 2% of the water, but 50% of the fish.

This strange statistic is actually quite easy to account for. Lake Erie is located in the south, closer to the farming and industrial regions of the United States. Runoff from farms is primarily nitrogen-rich, causing algae bloom to increase. When algae blooms spread, they impact the natural cycle in the water, increasing other bioactive elements of the lake.

So, if you’re an angler looking for a good time catching or even just attempting to catch, Lake Erie is your best bet among the Great Lakes.