Poster for the movie The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery

The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery

2025 • 91 minutes
Documentary

In the early twentieth century, a mysterious ecological crisis nearly wiped out the fish that most people cared about in the largest freshwater ecosystem on earth—the Great Lakes. The impact reverberated across the region, ruining local industries, damaging small town economies and indigenous communities, and destroying the livelihoods of people in the United States and Canada. With little reason for hope, a dedicated group of scientists, policymakers, and conservationists tackled the mystery.

Picture of J.K. Simmons

J.K. Simmons

Narrator

Picture of Thomas Lindsey Haskin

Thomas Lindsey Haskin

Director

Picture of Stephen H. LaHaie

Stephen H. LaHaie

Self - Managing Partner, Shaw's Crab House

Picture of Bill Mattes

Bill Mattes

Self - Great Lakes Section Leader

Picture of Marc Gaden

Marc Gaden

Self

Picture of Jennifer Read

Jennifer Read

Self - Director, University of Michigan Water Center

Picture of Paul Sullivan

Paul Sullivan

Self - Division Manager