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They have really increased in numbers here and west along the shoreline to Wisconsin. Since they are protected, I think the only way to have any type of culling it would have to go thru the DNR. They can eat around a 1lb. of bait fish daily per bird.
So, they are another predator to our baitfish. I have heard of other areas that have asked the help of the DNR to take the populations down. We have Indiana DNR that watches this site. So please speak up if you feel the numbers are getting to large. Hopefully they will hear us and who knows, possibly we can get them to hold a culling on this end of the lake this year. It never hurts to try

You are right - cormorants are protected. But it is a federal issue as they are migratory birds. There has been successful cormorant control in the Great Lakes under Depradation Orders issued by the USFWS. However, due to a lawsuit that started in 2014 and a ruling issued in 2016, the federal depradation orders were halted, and now everything is in a holding pattern of uncertainty. Here's a link to the overview put forth by the plaintiff (who prevailed) www.peer.org/news/news-releases/court-en...-eastern-states.html

Long story short, there are multiple agencies and departments at the state and federal level involved, the federal courts, lots of uncertainty, and a lot of competing desires (native migratory birds, recreational sportfishing, impacts to other threatened birds, invasive vs native fish, etc etc). DNR fisheries is very aware of the issue, so please do not confuse the lack of action on the ground with lack of awareness or lack of caring.

Thanks for weighing in Ben,

I was not aware that things have been halted thru court. Seems like some of the easier subjects, end up not so easy.
I new that this subject has been out there, as other spots did have issues and had some cullings. Thanks for clearing this up. Hopefully somebody figures out how to take care of another growing predator of bait fish.

Good info guys!

cormorants are a big issue in parts of Canada also. They are blamed for eating a lot of perch in the shallower lakes.

Not sure what changed but 15 - 20 years ago I don't recall seeing nearly as many as there are today.