Legendary Michigan conservationist Howard Tanner, who died on Aug. 16 at the age of 102, was interviewed in 2019 at his home near Lansing by Midland freelance outdoors writer Steve Griffin. In honor of Tanner, below is Griffin’s story, which he originally wrote for Boating Magazine.
Northwest Lower Michigan native and angler Howard Tanner returned to Michigan from Colorado in 1966 to become chief of fisheries in the Michigan Department of Conservation (now Natural Resources). In that role, he created and launched the successful, revolutionary introduction of coho (and later, Chinook) salmon into the Great Lakes. He later served as director of the Michigan DNR, and in several roles at his alma mater, Michigan State University.
At age 95, with his book “Something Spectacular: My Great Lakes Salmon Story” (Michigan State University Press) just off the presses, Tanner welcomed us into his living room for a chat. (This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.)…