The Institute for Fisheries Research is a cooperative unit of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the University of Michigan.

Our mission is to advance scientific understanding of the ecology and management of aquatic resources, habitats, and the fisheries they sustain, and to provide scientific and technical expertise to support sound management decision making.

We accomplish our mission through scientific research, development of analytical tools and techniques, technical guidance, and transfer of research findings. Specifically, we:

• Conduct research studies to address statewide questions.
• Collaborate with university faculty and staff and provide training and guidance to university students.
• Coordinate and develop inland and Great Lakes Geographic Information System (GIS) databases.
• Coordinate statewide program for angler surveys.
• Coordinate statewide program for status and trends of inland lakes.
• Provide library services through the Fisheries Division Library and the University of Michigan Library collections.
• Provide facilities for controlled experiments and fisheries meetings at the Saline Fisheries Research Station.