In 1834, the American Fur Company established commercial fishing operations throughout the Great Lakes, thus sparking a fiercely competitive industry in the region. As sport fisherman complained that fish numbers were rapidly declining, the state created the Michigan Fish Commission in 1873. Though their initial role was to assist the federal government with stocking efforts, the state later transitioned to more regulatory measures and conservation actions that aimed to balance ecology with recreational fishing. Beyond limiting commercial fishing, a notable regulation was the banning of gill nets to enforce more sustainable fishing practices in the recreational sector.
