DULUTH, Minn. — A new study shows that climate change could mean better conditions for some Lake Superior fish species, but worse for others.

Surface water temperatures on Lake Superior increased by about 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit between 1979 and 2006. That's one of the fastest rates of any lake on earth. The study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin shows that warming has created more suitable habitat in the lake for some fish, like Chinook salmon, walleye, and lean lake trout, but less favorable conditions for siscowet lake trout, a fatty fish that thrives in cold water.

A $200 million backlog in Great Lakes harbor and channel dredging would end with a bill that just passed the U.S. Senate.

There is a lot at stake economically when ships have to load light: carry less cargo, or risk running aground in the Great Lakes. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc) says this bill will allow the Great Lakes to catch up on digging projects over the next six to seven years, putting the Great Lakes in better position to compete with the ocean ports.

As boating season moves into high gear this Memorial Day weekend, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges boaters and anglers to be extra vigilant to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Boaters need to remove all aquatic plants, animals from their watercraft, drain all water and leave drain plugs and water draining devices open during transport.

This year, the DNR will have up to 150 authorized inspectors stationed at high-use public waters infested with zebra mussels – and 23 hot water decontamination units available to clean infested equipment.

This year, more than 80 million Americans will enjoy boating with friends and family. The National Safe Boating Council and the NOAA's National Weather Service have partnered to support boating safety by creating relevant, weather and safety-specific public service announcements for National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 18 to 24.

"We want boaters to stay safe on the water. The goal of our collaborative effort is to encourage boaters to follow proper boating safety precautions, including ensuring everyone is wearing a properly fitted, USCG-approved life jacket, and being aware of the local weather forecast," said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council.

The unnatural natural world of Lake Michigan fascinates me.

Round gobies were discovered in Lake Michigan in 1994. Since then, the invasives from the Black and Caspian seas have altered the lake’s natural balance and changed fishing. Smart fishermen learned to imitate gobies to catch smallmouth, which have learned gobies make a good food source.

A couple of things stuck with me after interviewing Myers and Adams last week. For one, who was the guy behind Adams holding the fifth smallmouth in the photo?

There was no mystery about their spot: It was ‘‘The Ponds’’ at Lake Street off Gary, Ind. There was no mystery about their basic lure: It was a Poor Boy Erie Darter in Steiger Ice, a pattern from Capt. Ralph Steiger, the young multispecies captain on Lake Michigan.