A monthly podcast in which Stuart Carlton (a native New Orleanian) asks smart people to teach him about the Great Lakes. Co-hosted by the awesome staff at Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.
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Sep 28, 2026 · 54:04
We ask our Drs Fish about lake sturgeon spawning biology, sucker and northern pike spring activity, and federal vs. state endangered species listing for Great Lakes fish. WUWM…
Jul 6, 2026 · 34:04
In this episode, Stuart and Natty talk with Dr. Sarah Balgooyen of PFAS@Mines at the Colorado School of Mines about her team's surprisingly good news: PFAS levels in Great Lakes…
May 4, 2026 · 29:01
🚨🚨Manel alert! Manel alert!🚨🚨 In this episode, Stuart speaks with Glenn Evans, professor of graphic design at St. Clair College, about The Great Lakes Avengers, which are…
Apr 6, 2026 · 40:13
In this episode, Stuart and Natty speak with Janice Gilbert of the Invasive Phragmites Control Centre about the ecological benefits of native aquatic plants, the persistent…
Mar 16, 2026 · 32:15
Stuart and Megan talk with Kim Nowack, Bridge Director of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, about what else? The Mighty Mac, a 5-mile (8 km) bridge that connects Michigan's upper…
Feb 16, 2026 · 41:38
Megan, Stuart, and Natty talk Great Lakes ice coverage, the importance of weather conditions, and simple ice math with Eric Anderson of the Colorado School of Mines.
Feb 2, 2026 · 32:51
As we take the week off to celebrate Groundhog Day (or something), we're re-airing this conversation with James Kessler of NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab. In it,…
Jan 19, 2026 · 46:20
Stuart, Megan, and Natty speak with John Schmidt, program manager of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers' 100% Great Lakes Fish Initiative. They also discuss…
Jan 5, 2026 · 39:52
Stuart and Megan speak with Bill Pringle of the Detroit Historical Society and Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Links: Dossin Great Lakes Museum | Detroit Historical Society Detroit…
Dec 16, 2025 · 1:04:33
Our annual awards show, or, quite possibly not the least prestigious podcast-related awards ceremony there is. No show notes to avoid spoilers!
Dec 8, 2025 · 31:01
Stuart and Megan discuss fish passage projects with Jeff Tyson of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Also, bears and salmon! Links: What is the 'salmon cannon' and how do the…
Nov 26, 2025 · 46:26
Each November, we love to feature nonprofits who are doing wonderful work throughout the Great Lakes. This year, we speak with Sandy Wynn-Stelt and Tony Spaniola of the Great…
Nov 10, 2025 · 38:45
Megan and Renie speak with Michael Gemmell of Parks Canada about the establishment of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, and are introduced to a delicious…
Oct 30, 2025 · 41:01
Our fourth annual Halloween special
Oct 20, 2025 · 38:11
Megan and Carolyn talk with Dana Castle about anglers in the St. Clair-Detroit River System, the importance of creel surveys, some incredible restoration projects, and donuts but…
Oct 6, 2025 · 56:52
What are the aquatic invasive species that Great Lakes experts wish you knew more about? Megan and Carolyn discuss with TMATGL all-stars El Lower, Katie O'Reilly, and Brian Roth.…
Sep 15, 2025 · 38:16
Stuart and Megan talk coastal resilience in southern Lake Michigan with Drs. Sarah Peterson and Hillary Glandon. Links: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) Dr. Sarah Peterson,…
Aug 4, 2025 · 36:46
In this episode, Stuart and Carolyn speak with Dr. Jay Austin about stratification in lakes and how the Great Lakes behave differently, stratificationally speaking. Plus: fancy…
Jul 15, 2025 · 37:44
In this episode, Stuart and Carolyn speak with Dr. Susan Kooiman about Indigenous agriculture in the Great Lakes region, what studying the past can teach us about the present,…
Jun 10, 2025 · 34:43
Dr. Chris Winslow just won a major award at the International Association for Great Lakes Research conference!! To celebrate, here is our conversation from September 2022.…
May 6, 2025 · 55:30
This episode discusses the issue of microplastics in the Great Lakes, featuring experts from the International Joint Commission (IJC) and universities. Dr. Rebecca Rooney and…
Apr 23, 2025 · 3:08
(New episodes coming soon!) https://www.greatlakesnow.org/too-many-geese-and-not-enough-mussels/
Mar 4, 2025 · 33:25
Episode Links: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2025/01/giant-sturgeon-attacks-mermaid-aquarium-china-video https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/02/let-us-spray-river-dolphins-launch-pee-…
Feb 17, 2025 · 35:09
Growing up with multiple newspapers delivered to her home and spending a lot of time outside in Michigan, maybe it was inevitable that Kelly House would become an environmental…
Feb 3, 2025 · 35:58
The nonprofit Freshwater Future has had much success working with local communities toward cleaner, safer drinking water. Jill Ryan, executive director, and Ann Baughman,…
Jan 28, 2025 · 30:31
This episode is a scientist’s dream and a nightmare of would-be organizational acronyms. Dr. Drew Gronewold, with his multiple titles and international work, introduces the…
Jan 14, 2025 · 37:43
Jump on the rollercoaster of being an environmental reporter. The Chicago Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne joins Stuart and Megan to talk drinking water, PFAS, petroleum coke,…
Dec 12, 2024 · 46:08
SHIPWRECK DRAFT! Stuart is joined by TMATGL Hall of Fame Stephanie Gandulla of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Kevin Cullen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin…
Nov 21, 2024 · 50:33
We report on the reporters! OK, sort of. Meet Dave Spratt from the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources who takes journalists around the Great Lakes to get them into…
Sep 17, 2024 · 39:24
Stuart and Renie chat with IISG's Sarah Zack about microplastics, PFAS, and, of course, tuna melts.
Sep 3, 2024 · 39:16
In this episode, Stuart and Renie speak with Judith Neulander about her fascinating book on folklore in the Great Lakes. How does folklore reflect the culture in which it is…
Aug 26, 2024 · 41:32
In this episode, Stuart and Carolyn speak with Bopi Biddanda, Professor of Water Resources at Grand Valley State, about the fascinating world of underwater sinkholes in the Great…
Jul 30, 2024 · 49:38
We ask our Drs Fish about teenage orcas, coaster brook trout, and who's spawning now. Plus: the Ask Dr. Fish Challenge! Show Credits: Hosts & Producers: Stuart Carlton, Carolyn…
Jul 15, 2024 · 33:15
Live from the Kildare House in Windsor, ON as part of the IAGLR conference! Stuart, Megan, and Carolyn speak with Dr. Trevor Pitcher of the Great Lakes Institute for…
Jun 17, 2024 · 41:04
In this episode, Stuart and Carolyn speak with Dr. Jon Midwood of Fisheries and Oceans Canada about invasive...goldfish? Really? In the Great Lakes? It turns out that invasive…
Jun 3, 2024 · 47:49
It's a draft! Finally a draft! Stuart and Carolyn are joined by Katelynn Johnson of the Real-time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network (RAEON) and Jessie Grow of the University…
May 28, 2024 · 47:29
We ask our Drs Fish about early springs, late springs, pregnant stingrays, and more. Show Credits: Hosts & Producers: Stuart Carlton, Carolyn Foley, Katie O'Reilly, Titus…
Apr 1, 2024 · 52:14
Dr. Fish called us out for some Lakies errors, so we invited him on to talk it over. Plus, the return of Great Lakes News and we talk with Tim Campbell about that...thing that he…
Mar 18, 2024 · 42:23
In this episode, Stuart and Renie speak with Peter Annin, author of the indispensable book, The Great Lakes Water Wars. Show links: Peter's page at Northland College Anchor Bar…
Mar 15, 2024 · 56:13
We ask our Drs. Fish about fish cannibalism, how one becomes a Dr. Fish, and more. Show credits: Hosts & Producers: Stuart Carlton, Carolyn Foley, Katie O'Reilly, Titus Seiheimer…
Feb 21, 2024 · 52:06
It's our annual awards show, this year a little bit late. We're keeping the show notes light to avoid spoilers, but for a complete list of winners, please see this Google Doc:…
Jan 4, 2024 · 0:47
If you have an old copy of episode 91, you can delete it and re-download if you want to actually "hear" the "guest". Thanks, and sorry!
Jan 2, 2024 · 39:02
NOW WITH FIXED AUDIO! Sorry about that...we really need an editor :) Stuart and Megan speak with Dr. Mike Shriberg of the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research and…
Dec 18, 2023 · 47:30
Stuart and Megan talk with Heather Stirratt, Director of the International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Regional Office, about their recent Triennial Assessment of Progress…
Dec 12, 2023 · 54:01
Our Drs. Fish celebrate Fishmas and take questions about cisco spawning, trading mackerel in prison, and more. Plus, the Ask Dr. Fish challenge and Game of the Month! Recorded…
Nov 6, 2023 · 53:15
We're live from the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network Meeting in Evanston, Illinois. Stuart, Carolyn, and Megan speak with El Lower about aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes,…
Oct 30, 2023 · 26:30
Our third annual Halloween special
Oct 20, 2023 · 57:11
Here's an Ask Dr Fish amuse bouche while we wait for Stuart to have time to edit the latest TMATGL. We miss you already, Quinn! Show links Topic 1 - Fish that see with their skin…
Sep 13, 2023 · 46:10
In this episode, Stuart and Megan speak with John Hartig, a Visiting Scholar at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor, about his new…
Aug 21, 2023 · 33:28
In this episode, Stuart interviews Eden Hataley about her paper on managing microplastics in the Great Lakes. Should they be considered a chemical of mutual concern in the Great…
Aug 7, 2023 · 31:16
Stuart and Carolyn speak with Dr. Daniele Miranda about her work on PFAS in Lake Michigan, how PFAS end up in fish, and how the biomagnify across the food chain. Plus: An…
Jul 24, 2023 · 1:02:18
Stuart and Renie took a ride on the Lakie Award Winning S/V Inland Seas and interviewed several people from the Inland Seas Education Association about the wonderful work they do…
Jul 13, 2023 · 53:30
Can a boom in Great Lakes human populations affect fish more than aquatic invasive species do? What is a Black Carp and why should we care? What’s in a name when it comes to…
Jul 3, 2023 · 38:15
In this re-aired conversation, Stuart and Carolyn speak with Dr. Francie Cuthbert, one of the world's preeminent plover experts, about piping plovers. Show links: Dr. Cuthbert's…
Jun 7, 2023 · 39:30
Stuart and Carolyn speak with Meredith Brown, director of special projects at Canadian Geographic, about the Biinaagami project, her work as a riverkeeper, and living the…
May 15, 2023 · 39:09
This week's episode is LIVE from the amazing Amsterdam Brewhouse on the Lake in Toronto, Ontario! We're joined by the wonderful Dr. Katie Stammler of the Essex Region…
May 2, 2023 · 35:15
Live from the Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference, Stuart and Sarah Zack (!) interview John Scott about PFAS, microplastics, and he patiently tries to explain…
Apr 18, 2023 · 53:58
TMATGL listeners: thanks for your patience! We'll be back on our regular schedule very soon! Want to watch us live? Visit https://www.askdrfish.com/live Topic 1 - cisco…
Apr 10, 2023 · 32:43
Don't worry, we haven't disappeared! We're just behind a little bit. While we get re-organized, enjoy this classic episode where Stuart and Renie interview the great Annie…
Mar 23, 2023 · 42:32
Stuart and Carolyn speak with Paris Collingsworth about hypoxia in the Great Lakes. What is it? Why does it happen? Is it bad? Plus: more than you probably knew about midges and…
Mar 6, 2023 · 35:48
Stuart and Megan speak with Sarah FitzSimons, Associate Professor of Sculpture at the University of Wisconsin, about her very cool Water Books, the multifaceted meaning of water,…
Feb 24, 2023 · 55:19
In Ask Dr Fish #3, We ask about fish cannons, fish valentines, and fish farts. Plus, the debut of our new segment, "Which Fish Story Is Not a Fish Story?" Want to watch us live?…
Feb 20, 2023 · 42:26
Stuart and Carolyn speak with Sarah Dobie of the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan about her fascinating new paper on defining…
Feb 6, 2023 · 39:55
Show links: Dr. Rood's OpenClimate website This month's Great Lakes Now episode Apostle islands ice paper Ridiculously Resilient Ridge RRR the movie Polar amplification Red Hawk…
Jan 16, 2023 · 46:38
The Erie Situation Great Lakes Outreach Media Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Thunder Bay International Film Festival - In person! Thunder Bay International Film Festival -…
Jan 6, 2023 · 40:10
MADELINE R MAGEE - Home Twitter: Dr. Madeline Magee Predicting Beach Conditions | Wisconsin DNR Beaches | Wisconsin DNR Model | Definition of Model by Merriam-Webster Where The…
Dec 19, 2022 · 44:20
We’re keeping the show notes spoiler-free, but you can find a list of the winners right here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-qkgzeMLhpNyfTO2waWZjtrYT29uCS1RVRlY3ryu1Ac/edit?…
Dec 15, 2022 · 48:57
Note: We aren't sure if we're always going to release the Ask Dr Fish episodes in the Teach Me About the Great Lakes feed. Do you have an opinion either way? Let us know! Show…
Dec 5, 2022 · 46:29
Show links: Youth Conservation Corps EPA page on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Environment Canada's page on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement The Great Lakes…
Nov 21, 2022 · 1:03:53
Great Lakes News Great Lakes Now website: https://www.greatlakesnow.org/ Story 1: https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/great-lakes-moment-video-game-teaches-watershed-management/…
Oct 28, 2022 · 32:50
GREAT LAKES BOOS WIRE REPORT, DATELINE LAKE MICHIGAN, USA Lake Michigan has claimed another ship as the remains of the S/V Donut were found on the lake floor yesterday. It isn't…
Oct 17, 2022 · 51:14
Please make sure to nominate some cool work for the Lakies! https://bit.ly/Lakies22 You can see the unedited Ask Dr. Fish live stream: https://youtu.be/C6A0d2B1fKg If you want to…
Oct 3, 2022 · 1:15:13
Show links: Nominate some great work for the Lakies!: https://bit.ly/Lakies22 Subscribe to the Ask Dr. Fish YouTube Channel! GLN story on the Mark W. Barker Freighter:…
Sep 19, 2022 · 34:43
Thanks to Masthead Brewing Company for good beer and good hosting. If you want to donate to Ohio Sea Grant and the Stone Lab, please visit their website:…
Sep 6, 2022 · 52:47
Show links: Lynne Heasley's website Great Lakes Now The Accidental Reef book website Buy The Accidental Reef at Amazon and support the show! Coal Ash story at Great Lakes Now…
Aug 15, 2022 · 1:00:02
Show links: Great Lakes Now: website , twitter , youtube Carmine bee-eaters Fortress conservation Nancy Langston’s website twitter The Syllabus Project Climate Ghosts: Migratory…
Aug 1, 2022 · 36:35
Today’s guest: Loreen Niewenhuis, Author & Adventurer - Great Lakes Adventurer Loreen’s Amazon author page Amazon.com: Best Lake Michigan Hikes: 10 Favorite Lake Michigan Hikes…
Jul 19, 2022 · 46:03
Show links: Petoskey stone followup: https://www.teachmeaboutthegreatlakes.com/43 Tallulah: Mermaid of the Great Lakes Great Lakes News Guest host Sandra Svoboda, Great Lakes Now…
Jul 5, 2022 · 46:31
Show links: ChooseCopi.com If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em: Illinois fisheries rebrand the invasive Asian carp Titus' tweet with lots of dead fish Meet the "Frenchsicle" The Water…
Jun 20, 2022 · 33:26
Links: Rosalyn's paper "A song of ice and vessels: Seasonal trends in the soundscape of the western arm of Lake Superior". Wikipedia: Bortle Dark Sky Scale NOAA: What is a…
Jun 6, 2022 · 36:57
Sorry that this one's kind of a downer, but we maybe it's ultimately hopeful?! Links: TMATGL 39: Cottonballs with Toothpick Legs TMATGL 40: DNA from the Cheeks Tamima's…
May 31, 2022 · 24:07
Special bonus episode? Special bonus episode! As a follow up to our Game of Nutrients, here are Andy Bramburger's answers in full.
May 18, 2022 · 32:57
This was super fun and thanks to those who could make it. Our next live event will be in Cleveland, probably on September 13. Details coming! Show Links: Chicago Tribune article…
May 2, 2022 · 53:54
TMATGL MEETUP as part of the JASM conference! We'll be hanging out around 8pm on Monday, May 16th at the Grand Rapids Brewing Company ...come hang out with us...we'll have…
Apr 18, 2022 · 1:05:23
Show links: Video stream of this episode (apologies for Stuart's low audio...we're all learning here) Titus Seilheimer Twitter Katie O'Reilly Twitter Wisconsin Sea Grant Lamberti…
Apr 7, 2022 · 36:35
Show links: Wikipedia: Sudbury, Ontario Northern Ontario School of Medicine Whitefish River First Nation Manitoulin Island CBC: Inside Walkerton: Canada's worst-ever E. coli…
Mar 21, 2022 · 41:35
Show links: Follow the Freshwater Lab on Twitter! Rob Nixon: Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor FreshwaterStories.com Source-Path-People: Get Involved…
Mar 7, 2022 · 38:47
Dr. Marta Venier on Twitter https://twitter.com/venier_marta On Google Scholar https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MiXmvwgAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao PCBs…
Feb 21, 2022 · 33:09
John Janssen's webpage UWM School of Freshwater Sciences Twitter feed ROV Goby footage! More underwater goby video! McGill University: Do fish drink?
Feb 7, 2022 · 31:58
Stuart and Carolyn speak with James Kessler of the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab about lake ice coverage, spaghetti diagrams, and shoveling snow for ice hockey.…
Jan 18, 2022 · 46:55
We catch up with Stephanie Gandulla of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and learn about diving the Great Lakes, the Tenth Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival,…
Jan 3, 2022 · 29:11
Happy new year! While we recover from the Lakies and the holidays, we're re-airing this great conversation with Tom Coomes of ABC57 in South Bend. Tune in to learn about the…
Dec 23, 2021 · 45:15
We’re keeping the show notes spoiler-free, but you can find a list of the winners right here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-qkgzeMLhpNyfTO2waWZjtrYT29uCS1RVRlY3ryu1Ac/edit…
Dec 6, 2021 · 54:56
Katie O’Reily on Twitter Titus Seilheimer on Twitter The 25 Days of Fishmas on Twitter Show links (may contain spoilers): Michigan DNR: Lake Sturgeon Winnebago System Sturgeon…
Nov 22, 2021 · 49:25
Follow our guests on Twitter! Mark Mattson Mark Fisher Vote for Lakies!: http://bitly.com/lakies21 Donate money! Swim Drink Fish Council of the Great Lakes Region (click here for…
Oct 27, 2021 · 37:38
Links: Geneva's twitter feed Michigan Sea Grant http://invasivecarp.us/Documents/BarrierBrochure.pdf https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-asian-carp?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-ne…
Oct 18, 2021 · 43:57
Nominate some cool stuff for the Lakies! Go right here: http://bitly.com/lakies21 Links: Follow Kelly on Twitter! MSU Quantitative Fisheries Science Center Bioremediation with…
Oct 4, 2021 · 40:57
Nominate some cool stuff for the Lakies! Go right here: http://bitly.com/lakies21 Links: Sharma Lab webpage Detroit News article on drownings in the Great Lakes TMATGL 35: Most…
Sep 20, 2021 · 34:57
Nominate some cool stuff for the Lakies! Go right here: http://bitly.com/lakies21 Links: Follow Dr. Gutierrez on Twitter! Clean Lakes Alliance U of T Trash Team: Website |…
Sep 16, 2021 · 36:18
Nominate some cool stuff for the Lakies! Go right here: http://bitly.com/lakies21 Show links: Dr. Cuthbert's webpage Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative USFWS: Double-crested…
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