The 1967 Coho Salmon Fishing Disaster on Lake Michigan

Coho Season

September 23, 1967, started as an exciting day for thousands of anglers along Michigan’s Lake Michigan shoreline. Coho salmon fishing was at a peak, drawing fishermen from across the Midwest eager to take advantage of the highly anticipated fall salmon run. What followed was a tragic and unforgettable event—the 1967 Coho Salmon Fishing Disaster. There was a sudden, fierce squall that capsized over 150 small fishing boats, caused at least eight deaths, and left dozens injured.

The story of this disaster begins a few years earlier. In 1965, Michigan stocked rivers feeding into Lake Michigan with coho salmon fingerlings, aiming to control the invasive alewife population. By 1967, the coho salmon fishery was thriving, and anglers’ excitement for the fall run was palpable. State biologists had exceeded expectations for coho survivability, and local fishing hotspots like Manistee, Frankfort, and Onekama were swarming with boats every weekend.

Coho Fever

The lake brimmed with “coho fever” as the fish moved closer to shore. On Labor Day weekend alone, an estimated 19,000 anglers took to the water in hundreds of small boats. Many of the boats were under 18 feet and ill-equipped for large lake waves. Small craft warnings were issued by the National Weather Service starting September 21. Still, many fishermen ventured out on September 23, unaware of the brewing danger.

Around 9 a.m. that Saturday, the weather shifted suddenly. Winds gusted up to 40 mph, waves soared as high as 15 feet. Visibility dropped to nearly zero amid heavy rain and fog. Hundreds of boats struggled against the violent squall along a 40-mile stretch of coast. Rescue efforts were challenging due to the treacherous conditions. Coast Guard personnel, local law enforcement, and private boaters launched desperate search and rescue missions that lasted well into the night.

Lives Lost

By the end of the day, over 150 boats had capsized, at least eight people had drowned, and dozens more were injured or treated for hypothermia. The community responded with urgency and solidarity, as families anxiously awaited news and rescue teams combed the lake and shoreline.

The tragedy brought national attention to the risks of lake fishing under dangerous weather conditions. Investigations revealed that many of those caught in the storm were inexperienced in big-lake boating and did not wear life jackets. The disaster prompted improvements in safety regulations, public education, and weather warnings for anglers in the Great Lakes region.

Though the 1967 coho salmon run continued for several more weeks, the events of that day remain a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparation and respect for safety on the water.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.