Bill formalizes Great Lakes fish-tagging program with $2.7 million yearly

What does this do?

The bill formally creates the "Great Lakes Mass Marking Program" within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to tag hatchery-raised fish stocked in the Great Lakes so scientists can distinguish them from wild fish. The practice has run informally since 2010, tagging 9-11 million of the roughly 21 million fish stocked yearly, and the bill directs the agency to buy equipment, hire staff, and coordinate with states, tribes, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Who does it affect?

The bill affects the eight Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin), Native American tribes in those states, fishery managers, and commercial and recreational anglers.

Why does it matter?

The tagging data helps managers track hatchery versus wild fish populations and evaluate stocking and habitat restoration efforts, which relate to a Great Lakes fishing economy worth over $7 billion. It does not add regulations for individual anglers.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• $2.7 million per year
• Funds fiscal years 2026-2030
• Covers equipment, tags, staff