Jun 01, 2026
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – For 40 years, the release of Atlantic Salmon into the St. Marys River has been a unique tradition of fisheries management, partnership, and stewardship in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. On Thursday, June 4, Lake Superior State University’s Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education (Barch CFRE) invites the community to celebrate that legacy with an evening of salmon release, hatchery and visitor center tours, with refreshments along the riverfront.
The celebration kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at Barch CFRE with remarks, recognition, and a proclamation honoring 40 years of partnership amongst Lake Superior State University, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). As part of the ceremony, the 2026 Atlantic salmon class will be formally named in recognition of the collaboration and shared commitment to conservation, research, and stewardship of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Following the ceremony, the public Atlantic Salmon release by the MDNR will begin at 6:00 p.m. Guests will have the chance to explore the hatchery, the Dr. Constance Baker Great Lakes Discovery Center, learn about fisheries management, and take part in a longstanding environmental tradition that has anchored generations of residents, visitors, and Lakers to the St. Marys River and Great Lakes area.
The free public event will also recognize four decades of collaboration between Cloverland Electric Cooperative, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and LSSU. These partnerships have helped sustain fisheries, expand freshwater research and education opportunities, and connect generations of residents, visitors, and Lakers to the Great Lakes ecosystem.
The Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education is located at 100 Salmon Run Way in Sault Ste. Marie, adjacent to the Cloverland Hydroelectric Plant along the St. Marys River.
About Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a close-knit university in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where faculty and staff know their students by name. Founded in 1946, LSSU offers a unique personal education shaped by its size, setting, and spirit of community. The University’s one-rate tuition seeks to make education accessible to all students, while Laker athletics foster competitive spirit and school pride. Learn more at www.lssu.edu.
Contact
LSSU Marketing
[email protected] | 906.635.2692
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