09/15/2026
Here’s a cool fun fact
🌊 THE DAY “COHO FEVER” TURNED DEADLY IN MICHIGAN
In 1966, Michigan successfully introduced coho salmon into the Platte River and Bear Creek. When those salmon returned from Lake Michigan the following year, it created absolute madness.
Thousands of anglers poured into Frankfort, Manistee and Platte Bay. Some ventured onto Lake Michigan in canoes, inflatable rafts and tiny underpowered fishing boats. The excitement became known as “Coho Fever.”
On September 23, 1967, despite a small-craft warning, hundreds of boats headed onto the lake. A powerful squall arrived with winds approaching 40 mph, waves reportedly reaching 10 feet and water temperatures near 50 degrees.
More than 150 boats capsized. The Coast Guard, local officers and private boaters launched a massive rescue operation—but seven fishermen lost their lives and dozens more were injured.
The tragedy became known as the 1967 Coho Salmon Fishing Disaster. It happened during the very first salmon frenzy that helped create Michigan’s world-famous Great Lakes fishery.
We think Michigan’s salmon runs get crazy today—but imagine hundreds of small boats fighting 10-foot waves just to chase a fish nobody here had caught before!
Have you ever heard about “Coho Fever,” or did anyone in your family fish that legendary first run?
— Dakota Chinn
The story is documented by Interlochen Public Radio, and the Michigan DNR confirms coho were successfully introduced in 1966.
