1967 coho salmon fishing disaster

Weather event in the United States NW lower Michigan shoreline.jpg OpenStreetMap showing the area where the disaster occurred Michigan shoreline where the disaster occurred September 23, 1967 Squall 40 mph 7 46 More than 150 small fishing boats capsized Lake Michigan, Michigan The 1967 Coho Salmon Fishing DisasterThis is the name the U.S. Department of Transportation used in its annual report, which covered the disaster.Department of Transportation 1968 29 refers to a squall over Lake Michigan, off the coast of Michigan in the United States, which occurred on September 23, 1967. Hundreds of small fishing boats were on the lake to take advantage of a coho salmon run. More than 150 boats capsized, seven people died, and 46 people were injured. Background thumb|left|Freshly caught coho salmon In 1965, the state of Michigan decided to stock rivers that ran into Lake Michigan with coho salmon in an attempt to reduce the population of alewives, then considered a "trash fish".Prichard Carson The Salmon Capital of Michigan: The Rise and Fall of a Great Lakes Fishery Detroit Wayne State University Press 2024 9780814351130 https://books.google.com/books?id=5ATaEAAAQBAJ 197 none; Rapai William Lake Invaders: Invasive Species and the Battle for the Future of the Great Lakes Detroit Wayne State University Press 2016 9780814341247 https://books.google.com/books?id=61iHCwAAQBAJ 29–31 none; Little Gene Steelhead Trout Madness to Hit Fishermen Saturday Lansing State Journal March 26, 1967 H1 none; Whitney Sawyer Coho Salmon Take to Their new Great Lakes Habitat The Port Huron Times-Herald May 25, 1967 A2 none; Can Lessen Problem of Alewives Traverse City Record-Eagle July 25, 1967 1Coho salmon were introduced to Lake Michigan on the orders of Michigan state fisheries chief Howard Tanner and his chief assistant, Wayne Tody. Tanner has long claimed the salmon were stocked to create a sport fishing industry, not to solve the alewife problem. Nearly all media reports at the time, and since, have said the aim was to control alewife. Typical is this statement from the Flint Journal newspaper: "They were introduced into the lake in an effort to reduce the exploding population of alewives, a salt water trash fish that infilitrated the Great Lakes." About 660,000 coho salmon fingerlings were planted in 1966.Parsons 1973 25, 54 The coho salmon fishery was well-established by 1967,Parsons 1973 61 with state biologists reporting that survivability of the 1966 plantings had exceeded expectations.Great News! The Muskegon Chronicle February 25, 1967 12 none; Plantings of Salmon Are Successful Port Huron Times Herald February 25, 1967 10 none; Coho Survival Reported Good Ironwood Daily Globe April 11, 1967 9 Although the state's first coho salmon fishing season opened April 1,State Events Calendar Offers Busy Season Lansing State Journal March 12, 1967 E5 the 1966 coho salmon plantings were not expected to make a big run until the fall of 1967.Huge Salmon Plant Ready Ironwood Daily Globe March 1, 1967 6 (At the time, Michigan state law forbade the commercial harvesting of salmon.)Trout, Salmon Program Would Cost $25 Million The Saginaw News April 7, 1967 B13 Coho fever Spring fishing success The success of coho salmon fishermen around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in April and May created much anticipation among fishermen in lower Michigan, where the salmon would move in the fall.Lowe Kenneth S. U.P. Fishermen Get Jump on Cohos The Flint Journal May 21, 1967 63 The Michigan State Department of Conservation encouraged the excitement by experimenting with catching methods and equipment, and reporting the results to anglers (almost none of whom in Michigan had any experience with fishing for salmon).Vanden Heede John Coho Sportfishing Pushed for Southern Lake Michigan The Benton Harbor Herald-Palladium May 23, 1967 17 none; Tips Are Given for Catching Coho Salmon Ironwood Daily Globe May 30, 1967 9Salmon kept by fishermen had to be a minimum of 7 in in length. Fishermen had a total seasonal limit ("creel limit") of 10 coho salmon from streams, and five from the lake. In a single day, a fisherman could catch no more than 10 lb of salmon, plus one more fish. Coho proved so large, however, that the state eased its rules on September 7. Fishermen could now have up to two days' worth of catch in their possession. They could catch up to two coho salmon a day, each weighing more than 10 pounds each. The department assigned two patrol boats to keep tabs on the coho as they moved south, and reported findings daily to fishermen.Coho Check Stepped Up The Grand Rapids Press July 9, 1967 37 Anticipation by fishermen for near-shore coho angling rose all throughout the summer of 1967.Bluegill Fishing Is Back in Style The Grand Rapids Press August 10, 1967 36 Fishermen throughout the Midwest believed the best fishing in the nation would occur in Lake Michigan.Huge Coho Landed at Manistee Detroit Free Press August 24, 1967 D7 The coho were slow to move toward shore; state experts said on August 2 that good near-shore fishing would probably begin in late August.Large Coho Dead, Still 'Exciting' The Grand Rapids Press August 3, 1967 44 By Labor Day weekend (September 1 to 4), good coho fishing could be had just 1 to 2 mi offshore, and many schools could be found just 660 to 900 ft from shore. Coho fever begins thumb|Photograph of Willard Schaedig with two Coho Salmon he caught, summer 1968 (Presque Isle County Historical Museum) "Coho fever" struck Michigan.Miter Tanda Lake Michigan's deadly 'coho fever' disaster marks 50th anniversary MLive.com September 23, 2017 September 27, 2024 https://www.mlive.com/news/2017/09/lake_michigans_deadly_coho_fev.htmlKilts Donald L. Coho Fever Tops Sponsors' Wildest Dreams The Saginaw News September 24, 1967 1, 2 By late August, hundreds of anglers were crowding the lake off the towns of Frankfort, Manistee, and Onekama in northern lower Michigan every weekend. The week of August 28, at least 50 coho fishing boats could be seen on the water each weekday.Salmon Rush Jams Harbor The Grand Rapids Press August 31, 1967 59 On Thursday, August 30 (the Thursday before the Labor Day weekend), at least 315 boats were counted offshore. The Detroit Free Press estimated that 19,000 anglers were on the water fishing for coho on Labor Day weekend.Our Coho Salmon Whopping Success Detroit Free Press September 10, 1967 C6 Cars with license plates from all over the Midwest were seen in Manistee. There were 600 to 800 small boats on the water off Manistee on Sunday, September 3, and Monday, September 4. Traffic clogged the roads around Frankfort, Manistee, and Onekama. No boats were available for hire for miles along the coast from Sleeping Bear Bay south to Ludington.Peterson Kenneth L. Coho Salmon Pull Anglers The Flint Journal August 31, 1967 62 Fishing guides in the Manistee area had been booked for more than a year, and boat rentals could not be had.Mainville Frank Big Run Provides Thrills Lansing State Journal September 17, 1967 E6 Hotel reservations were very difficult to get in Benzie County, where the Platte River emptied into Lake Michigan,Exciting Coho Salmon Take Spotlight in Michigan Lansing State Journal September 3, 1967 D5 and sporting goods stores in Manistee ran out of bait, lures, rods, and tackle. Boat launching sites and marinas at Frankfort, Manistee, and the mouth of the Platte River were overwhelmed.Voss Ray Salmon Fishing Booms The Saginaw News September 7, 1967 D3 The United States Coast Guard expressed concern that coho anglers were not observing water safety rules. Most fishermen were in poorly-powered watercraft less than 18 ft in length.State of Michigan boating safety agencies recommended that Lake Michigan anglers use a boat at least 16 ft in length. Boats under 18 feet could not handle the large lake swells, and could be easily swamped due to low freeboard. Anglers used airboats, cabin cruisers, canoes, houseboats, prams, sailboats, car-top dinghies,Opre Tom Salmon Run Creates Boat Traffic Jam Detroit Free Press September 7, 1967 D3 kayaks,Coho Fishing Still Booming Traverse City Record-Eagle September 18, 1967 1 and rubber rafts to fish on the lake.Coho Salmon Fishing Called Unbelievable The Flint Journal September 8, 1967 43 One Coast Guard employee saw a man fishing using pontoons lashed together with rope, and a few boards on top for seating. Many boats had motors too under-powered for choppy lake weather.Petersen Ken Wonderland Wanderlust The Flint Journal September 14, 1967 57 The fishing was heavy Labor Day weekend, but state officials said the coho run would not peak until some time between mid September and the first week of October. Coho fever continues in September The second weekend of September (September 8 to 10) proved even more popular for coho anglers. An estimated 38,000 coho salmon anglers were on the water that weekend,Opre Tom There's Gold in Those Coho Salmon Detroit Free Press September 15, 1967 D5 trolling between Manistee and the Platte River.Fishing Report Traverse City Record-Eagle September 16, 1967 12 From 800 to 1,000 boats jammed the waters the week of September 11 to 14 at Manistee, while 1,500 to 1,700 vessels could be found there the weekend of September 15 to 17. Cars with license plates from all over the nation were seen in Frankfort and Manistee, and more than 450 boats were counted off Manistee on Sunday, September 10.The Coming of the Cohos The Grand Rapids Press September 12, 1967 10 A line 20 vehicles long backed up at the public boat launch in Manistee. In Stronach Township, the state of Michigan leased a plot of land and created a 150-car parking lot and temporary access to the lake to accommodate demand. Boat launching sites were still so packed, many anglers had taken to launching canoes and car-top boats from the beach. The channel connecting Manistee Lake with Lake Michigan was so clogged with boat traffic that the Coast Guard found it difficult to get their own boats to Lake Michigan. The channel was so full, one Coast guardsman said, "I bet I could of walked the 100 yards across it by stepping from boat to boat." Area restaurants were receiving deliveries of food three times a day to keep up with demand,Salmon-Steelhead Capital Lansing State Journal September 17, 1967 E6 there were long lines at gas stations, and sporting goods stores as far away as Detroit were low on many items. No boating equipment could be found for sale in Manistee. thumb|Michigan governor George W. Romney and Wisconsin governor Warren P. Knowles trolling for Coho salmon in Lake Michigan off Manistee in September 1968 The Coast Guard and state boating safety experts reiterated that they remained apprehensive about the safety of many of the boats being used. "Coho fishing is presenting serious safety problems," said Robert Dyke, marine program supervisor for the boat and water safety division of the Michigan state department of conservation.Mainville Frank Coho Anglers Use 'Everything That Floats' Lansing State Journal September 17, 1967 E6 The Coast Guard station at Manistee, which usually had six rescue calls a year, had 40 such calls since Labor Day.An unknown number of anglers were rescued by private boat owners. The Coast Guard warned fishermen to be alert for squalls, avoid overloading, and to have a compass and distress flares on board. Some boats were going as far as 8 mi offshore, taking unsafe, ill-equipped watercraft far beyond the point of safe return in case of a change of weather. Seven boats sank in the area between September 1 and 15, and 25 to 30 had capsized between September 1 and September 30.Area Officials Concerned Before Saturday Tragedy The Saginaw News September 24, 1967 1 In the past two weeks, the Coast Guard had issued 500 citations for various safety and regulatory violations to coho fishermen, and towed a few boats with dead motors from quite a distance offshore. Michigan's "coho fever" in 1967 drew national media attention,Meyerson Howard The Salmon Experiment: The invention of a Lake Michigan sport fishery, and what has happened since Grand Rapids Press April 18, 2011 October 19, 2024 https://www.mlive.com/outdoors/2011/04/the_salmon_experiment_the_inve.html including a Sports Illustrated magazine cover.Babbitt Hank A Boom and a Blunder on Lake Michigan Sports Illustrated October 9, 1967 67, 70 Fishing pressure remained high the second week of September (September 13 to 14), with at least 550 boats a day counted off Manistee. That weekend (September 15 to 17), more than 1,000 boats were counted off Manistee on Saturday and 1,500 boats on Sunday. At Frankfort on Saturday, a traffic jam backed up for 2 mi as anglers tried to use the public boat launch facilities. Tom Lewis, president of Manistee Chamber of Commerce, called it a "madhouse".Coho Rush Turning Area Into Madhouse Petoskey News-Review September 19, 1967 7 The September 15 to 17 weekend had seen some of the best coho salmon fishing of the season, and only served to heighten interest by anglers. The week of September 18 to 22, there were roughly 1,000 boats a day on the water between Manistee and Frankfort, where the best coho salmon fishing could be found along a 30 mi on stretch of coast. Another 1,000 vessels were counted in the waters off the mouth of the Platte River. Although excellent coho angling could be found off Manistee, Onekama, and Frankfort, the best fishing was found several miles off Arcadia, luring boaters far out onto the lake.Kaufman Stan Coho Craze Battle Creek Enquirer September 17, 1967 Section 3, page 4The Manistee Chamber of Commerce estimated that city businesses had seen a 250 to 300 percent increase in sales, and hotel and motel income was up 1,200 percent. Sales of gasoline mixed with oil (used in motor boats) had increased 500 percent, while gasoline sales along were up 300 percent. A gas station which might pump 800 USgal on a weekend was now pumping 2000 USgal. Restaurant income was up 280 to 310 percent on Saturdays. No boats were available for rental, and most stores ran out of food, supplies, and fishing tackle on weekends. With high school and college youth back at school, most businesses were running on a skeleton staff. Some staff were working 16 hours a day. A columnist for the Battle Creek Enquirer newspaper warned that there were "too many fishermen seeking coho who never fished anything bigger than lakes close to home". The schooling off Arcadia worried the Coast Guard, which said the biggest problem was boaters going too far out in boats that were too small. Some small boats were going out as far as 9 mi. Squall Small craft warnings thumb|left|Small craft advisory pennant The second full week of September had seen chilly overnight temperatures and stronger winds, but Lake Michigan was seeing unusually calm weather. On September 20, daytime temperatures rose from the mid 60sF to about 80F (from 18.3C to 26.6C). Coho salmon moved from about 5 ft below the surface to about 25 ft below, seeking cooler water.Coho Moving Up Manistee River Battle Creek Enquirer September 21, 1967 11 The forecast for Saturday, September 23, was good. The day before, the National Weather Service predicted partly cloudy skies with temperatures around 70 F. North winds would be variable, with a chance of showers in late afternoon or early evening.Local Weather Traverse City Record-Eagle September 22, 1967 2The Weather The Grand Rapids Press September 22, 1967 2 Precipitation would be 0.3 to 0.1 in.5-Day Forecast The Muskegon Chronicle September 22, 1967 5 The morning of Saturday, September 23, the forecast remained almost the same. Weather was mostly fair, with a high around 70 F and southerly winds 10 to 22 mph, becoming stronger toward evening.The Weather Traverse City Record-Eagle September 23, 1967 2 However, winds were strong enough that the National Weather Service issued a small craft warning on Thursday, September 21.Cooler Friday The Muskegon Chronicle September 21, 1967 1 The warning remained in effect on September 22 and September 23.Six Die As Squall Traps Fishermen Battle Creek Enquirer September 24, 1967 1Hundreds of Boats Swamped in Squall The Saginaw News September 24, 1967 1 The Coast Guard had worked hard all month to ensure that all fishermen were warned to look for the red triangular flag which meant a small craft warning.Small craft are those 16 ft and shorter. But many fishermen did not heed the squall warnings. About 9,000 fishermen in roughly 700 to 1,000 boats were estimated to have gone coho salmon fishing off Manistee and Frankfort on Saturday, September 23.Department of Transportation 1968 29 The Battle Creek Enquirer and Saginaw News newspapers said most of the boats were 12 to 20 ft in length, while the New York Daily News quoted an unidentified local police department as saying most were 14 to 18 ft. The Grand Rapids Press, however, said most of the watercraft were less than 16 ft in length, and many were 10 ft or less. Some people were seen that morning fishing from small outboard-powered rowboats and from canoes. Many boats lacked life preservers, and had only 3 to 5 HP motors. The storm hits thumb|Storm over Lake Michigan in 2014 The small craft warning on September 23 was made at 8 a.m., yet hundreds of boats went out on Lake Michigan even after it was made.Lake Squall Traps Coho Fishermen; At Least Six Drown, More Missing The Grand Rapids Press September 24, 1967 1, 2 Some waves were as much as 8 ft high by 10 a.m. A 16 ft on boat with a 75 HP motor headed for shore at 10 a.m. but was swamped. Another small craft with an 18 HP engine took 30 minutes to get just 0.25 mi to shore. Lake waters were dangerously rough by 10:30 a.m., and Michigan State Police were sent to the shoreline where they used bullhorns to urge fishermen to return to shore. The Battle Creek Enquirer reported, however, that the storm seemed to come on suddenly. The storm came out of the southwest, began at about 9 a.m.,Hansen Jerome Lake Squall Traps Boats; Six Anglers Die Detroit Free Press September 24, 1967 A1, A17 increased in intensity gradually, and broke in earnest at noon, affecting 40 mi of the Michigan coast.6 Fishermen Drowned in Lake Squall Chicago Tribune September 24, 1967 1, 2 Winds up to 40 mph and waves 10 to 15 ft high were recorded.The Chicago Tribune reported waves as high as 25 ft. Rain was so heavy that visibility was zero for two hours. Some boats kept fishing even as waves 12 ft in height broke over them. The rain slowed at 4 p.m. but waves remained 4 to 5 ft in height and rescue was nearly impossible. Most of the boats off Manistee made it safely to shore. Most of the boats off Frankfort did not. There were between 200 and 500 boats off Frankfort, and most of these attempted to seek shelter by rounding Point Betsie. They did not make it by the time the storm hit. A sandbar about 400 ft off the mouth of the Platte River made landings difficult there, and especially hazardous in rough weather. Boats that turned south to try to reach Frankfort ran into winds reaching up to 30 mph and waves 25 ft high. The Coast Guard said that most of the boats headed for shore as soon as it was clear that the squall was headed their way, but they started for shore too late to avoid it. Three hours after the storm hit, small boats were still streaming into local harbors.At Least 7 Die As Squall Tips Lake Michigan Boats New York Daily News September 24, 1967 C2 Rescue efforts Scores of boats were beached all along the shore from Manistee to Sleeping Bear Point. More than 200 small craft beached along a 7 mi stretch of beach at Point Betsie. Many had smashed motors and ruptured hulls. At least 65 boats came ashore near Empire, 11 mi northwest of Point Betsie. Six men were also rescued from the water off Empire. thumb|A Coast Guard 47 ft on boat trains in 11 to 13 ft on seas on Lake Michigan in November 2013 The U.S. Coast Guard, Manistee County Sheriff's Department, Benzie County Sheriff's Department, and even local police forces sent dozens of rescue workers onto the lake and along the beaches at about 4 p.m. as soon as weather permitted. On the lake, the rescue force consisted of three Coast Guard planes, four Coast Guard cutters, and two Coast Guard helicopters. They were assisted by a number of large private boats, including several big private yachts. A Coast Guard plane reported seeing 150 small boats capsized, some of them more than 2 mi from shore. At least one cabin cruiser capsized. Hundreds more were in distress.Department of Transportation 1968 29 Rain and patches of fog hindered rescue efforts. A strong undertow made it very difficult to pull victims from the water. William Jacobson, owner of Jacobson's Marine in Frankfort, ventured out in a tugboat to assist with rescue efforts, and said some waves were still as much as 25 ft high. Lt. Governor William Milliken and U.S. Senator Robert P. Griffin flew to the disaster area and toured it after dark.Milliken was Acting Governor at the time, while Governor George W. Romney was making a nationwide tour of urban areas in preparation for the launch of his 1968 presidential campaign. Michigan National Guard units at Cadillac and Manistee were ordered by Lt. Gov. Milliken to stand by. When it became clear they were not needed, they were released from duty later that evening. At least 46 people were injured,Six Drown As Squall Hits Lake Michigan The Los Angeles Times September 24, 1967 4 and 10 people treated for exposure at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort. Eight people drowned. Those identified included Arthur De Hate, Donald H. Farr, William Meekhof, Sherman S. Molle, Earl H. Smith, and Bernard Van Koevering.Smith and De Hate were just 70 yd offshore when they died. Their bodies washed ashore at Empire, and were found by a Leelanau County sheriff's deputy. Farr, Molle, and Van Koevering were all in the same boat. Their bodies were recovered by a Michigan State Police launch. Meekhof's body was brought to Frankfort by a private citizen, who had found it washed ashore. Two men ignored Coast Guard warnings and went out after the storm ended, but when waves were still 3 ft high. Their boat capsized off Point Betsie 5 mi north of Frankfort. Their screams for help were heard after dark, and a Coast Guard rescue plane was dispatched from Traverse City to find them.Squall Kills 5 in State Lansing State Journal September 24, 1967 A1, A2 Once they were located, a Traverse County Sheriff's Department boat was sent to rescue them. One of the men drowned. His companion was rescued alive, but in shock from hypothermia.Squall Fatal to 6 Coho Fisherman The Flint Journal September 24, 1967 1 A boat with five fishermen also returned to the lake after the storm had ended. They were rescued by the Coast Guard at 9:30 p.m., 5 mi offshore, after 3 ft on waves capsized their boat. The streets of local towns were jammed with families seeking news about their loved ones. Despite the disaster, at least 60 small craft ventured back out onto the lake near dark after the storm ended, even though waves were still 3 ft high. At least 50 boats remained on the bay at the mouth of the Platte River at dusk. Hundreds of others still lolled in 5 ft on swells off Frankforst and Manistee at dusk. The sun broke through briefly before twilight, helping search efforts. Waves 3 ft high were still hitting the beach as late as 9 p.m., and winds as high as 28 mph were expected overnight. Two Coast Guard planes and two Coast Guard helicopters continued to search Lake Michigan for victims until nightfall. Coast Guard boats also continued to search throughout the night for boats in distress as another squell approached. The Coast Guard expressed concern that boaters might try to return after dark, so the Benzie and Manistee county sheriff department and the Michigan State Police sent officers on foot and horseback and in jeeps to roam the beaches, seeking survivors. Bonfires were lit along 10 mi of coast, to warm survivors and to serve as beacon fires for any boats still lost on the lake. Aftermath On September 24, 25, 26, and 27, Coast Guard aircraft flew 33 sorties and Coast Guard boats made 20 sorties in an attempt to locate all capsized or disabled craft and make any necessary rescues.Department of Transportation 1968 29 Hundreds of people remained unaccounted for after the storm. Most of them were safe on land, but had not contacted friends or family.Department of Transportation 1968 29 The Coast Guard began checking boat registrations to try to account for all boats. By September 27, the Coast Guard had determined that only seven people had died. One remained unaccounted for.Department of Transportation 1968 29 The coho salmon fishing season continued for another three weeks, during which time the Coast Guard maintained daily aircraft and small boat patrols of the area.Department of Transportation 1968 29 In November 1967, the United States Department of Transportation convened a Marine Board of Investigation to investigate the tragedy. Among its findings were that many of those caught in the squall were inexperienced in fishing on Lake Michigan, and did not fully understand the risks involved or big-lake boating rules and guidelines. Those who died, and most of those rescued from the water, were not wearing life jackets. Benzie County historian Dave Taghon released a 25-minute documentary film about the disaster in October 2011.Sandman Pete Historian Taghon to show his documentary "Coho Fever" at Mills Community House Thursday, October 13 Benzie County Record-Patriot October 4, 2011 October 23, 2024 https://www.recordpatriot.com/local-news/article/Historian-Taghon-to-show-his-documentary-Coho-14315401.php Notes Citations Bibliography Department of Transportation Annual Report. Part 1 — The Department. Fiscal Year 1967 Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office November 26, 1968 https://books.google.com/books?id=HjFfuqqBiCMC Parsons John History of Salmon in the Great Lakes, 1850-1970. Technical Papers of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Washington, D.C. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior April 1973 https://books.google.com/books?id=u97ssttaFikC Category:1967 in Michigan Category:September 1967 in the United States Category:Lake Michigan Category:Recreational fishing in the United States