Lampreys Problem

[Jackpike]

I posted this topic in the old forums and got a good response and i was just wondering if the problem of lampreys in the Greatlakes has improve at all.

[Jackpike]

Just wondering if anyone has news about this problem cheers JP UK

[Jackpike]

Any news on this problem yet

[TECK]

When fishing TETU this year I got a Pike that had a lamprey on it.I didn't think they had spread that far.

[dougj]

Jackpike:

In north America there are five different species of Lampreys. Of these five, four are native to fresh water, the Chestnut, the Silver,the American brook, and the Northern brook. The lamprey that did all the damage in the Great Lakes is called the Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and entered into the Great Lakes in the 30's and 40's with increased ocean travel, there are reposts of Sea Lamphrey in Lake Ontario as early as 1890. Of the five species only three, the Chestnut, the Silver, and the Sea lamphrey are parasitic on fish. Of these only the Sea Lamptrey does much real damage, and was responsible for most of the collapse of the Lake Trout fishery in most of the Great Lakes. An adult Sea Lamphrey can reach a length of about 24".

Lamphreys is general have a very complicated life cycle, that includes a stage called ammocoetes that spends its time burrowed in the bottom of streams.

The good news is that the Sea Lamphrey are pretty much under control in the Great Lakes. Various selective chemicals have been discovered that effects (read kills) only the ammocoetes stage of the Lamphrey. Treatment of spawning streams has been going on since the 60's and 70's and the Sea Lamphrey threat has been pretty much eradicated. If you are interested in a little more about Sea Lamphreys and there control here's a link.
http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/Biology/Harbour/SPECIES/SEALAMP/TITLE.HTM

The Lamphery that we occassionally see stuck to a muskie is probably the Silver Lamphrey. Most healthy adult fish will survive an attaack from a Silver Lamphrey, although I suppose repeated or multiple attacks could cause a fish or two to be lost, but they are not a major threat.

I'll bet this is more than you wanted to know.

Doug Johnson

[kmon]

I know there was an argument between the states and canada over the sea lamprey problem. The Canadians thought the problem was licked and wanted to save some money. Boom big explosion of lampreys and a Canadian return to lamprey control ... I assume it's working as I didn't see one this year on the St. Lawrence.

[Sponge Bob]

Hey Jackpike, Happy Holidays! Bet England is neat in Dec...only seen it in the spring! Add to Doug Johnsons' list a new species....the "Postalilampreus Bossoto"....an aggravating creature that latches onto mail dudes/dudettes + you can't keep the suckers off of you!;) Mainly wanted to wish you Merry Christmas + Happy New Year!:)

[Jackpike]

Check this one out http://yonkis.ya.com/imagenes5/guerra/talibamm.htm

[Jackpike]

Cheers for the info on the devil,s fish thingy over here we dont have a great problem with lampprey ,we buy lapreys frozen and use them for pike baits with the high blood content they really work and also you can refreeze them .JP UK