The Fish Thief:A Great Lakes Disaster …documentary just dropped on Amazon Prime. An interesting cultural and fishing history of The Great Lakes. Includes the over fishing and then the disaster of the invasion of the sea lamprey on remaining fish. A really good watch, IMHO. Brad
I remember when young Marilyn Bell was the first person to swim the 32 miles across Lake Ontario she had to swim through a school of lampreys,, it scared the h out of her but she kept going. In the 1950's the only thing we ever caught off the pier in Port Dalhousie was perch.
Edited by - chuckv97 on 02/14/2025 19:14:40
I am sad to say that the only part of the Great Lakes I have experienced is what I could see, or feel, from Chicago….and that feel was not pleasant in the winter. Brad
Slammer, I hope you are on the ice fishing…and catching a few panfuls. I am curious to any comments you have on the current fish population of the lakes, and the sea lamprey. Brad
I'd heard of sea lampreys, but was [still am?] still fairly ignorant.
Here's a relatively short read of the Canadian government's take on things. https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/publications/ais-eae/lamprey-lamproie/index-eng.html Not to minimize the costs/impact, but interestingly it contains this tidbit: "Sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes has been tremendously successful. Ongoing control efforts have resulted in a 90% reduction of sea lamprey populations in most areas, creating a healthy environment for fish survival and spawning."
Edited by - Owen on 02/15/2025 14:56:45
lazyarcher Any thoughts?
slammer Any thoughts?
They’ve been around long time and I remember when they got really bad and lots of fish caught had one or two attached or had the round mouth wound and we’re just gross. Don’t see many any more. Now, we hardly think about them or see them. Evidently, the government is doing the right thing and money well spent IMO.
Slammer!!!
King Henry I died after eating too many lampreys. Obviously a meal fit for a king. So I'm guessing you could control them by eating them.
The fish population, and I can only speak of Lake Michigan has changed over the years population wise and species wise do to many things. I’ve lived on and fished on the Southern end and also to the extreme north end of the lake and they are 2 different worlds. I’ve always lived on the lake and or have been able to see the lake from my house, and without seeing the lake, my direction sucks!!! It’s my “CENTER”
The lake also goes through many cycles or phases that change many factors, then throw in the occasional invasive species ( zebra mussels, lampreys, alewive , ) and you’ve got a game changer. But I’ve also seen the lake make changes and species adapt and change their feeding habits and flourish!!!
Those lakes are Great for a reason and we really need to take care of them.
Slammer!!!
quote:
Originally posted by AndrewDKing Henry I died after eating too many lampreys. Obviously a meal fit for a king. So I'm guessing you could control them by eating them.
Kings..or..the fish...? ;0)
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97lazyarcher Any thoughts?
Used to see a lot of fish with lampreys or scars in the 80s and 90s on Lake Huron, up inOwen Sound, and Lake Ontario. See the occassional one now, but rarely..so hoping they are low in numbers.
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