Who We Are

The Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (Alpena FWCO - formerly the Alpena Fishery Resources Office) is located on the shore of Lake Huron in Alpena, Michigan and is part of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Midwest Region (Region 3). The office meets Service fishery goals in Lake Huron, western Lake Erie, and connecting waterways of the St. Marys River, St. Clair River, and Detroit River. Alpena FWCO provides a regional focus for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission by providing assistance to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, States, Native American Tribes, and other interested entities -- encouraging cooperative conservation, restoration and management of the fishery resources of the Great Lakes Basin. In addition to fisheries, the office houses a Habitat and Ecosystem Health unit that addresses fish passage concerns and restoration of private lands through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in 20 counties in northern Michigan.

The Alpena FWCO opened in June 1992 and was authorized through the "Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990" which called for the establishment of Service operated Upper Great Lakes Fishery Resources Offices to provide "operational activities related to fishery resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement in the Upper Great Lakes." The office operates out of the Midwest Region's Division of Fisheries located in Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

The office is housed in the Federal Building located in downtown Alpena. The building borders the Thunder Bay River and includes docking space for Service and Interior vessels such as the M/V Spencer F. Baird and the R/V Sturgeon. Two public boat launches are located within a half mile of the office, one of which is located across the river from the Federal Building. Additional storage space is rented in Alpena to provide shelter and security for station watercraft and assessment equipment.

The geographical location of the Alpena FWCO provides many conveniences relative to meeting Service fisheries goals for lake trout rehabilitation, aquatic invasive species management, and assistance to fishery management agencies in the Great Lakes. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Alpena Great Lakes Fisheries Research Station is located across the river, facilitating interagency communication and project coordination.

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