Black Spots on Sunfish/BlueGill???

[RyeDog]

I apologize if this topic was covered before but I just recently returned from a Panfishing trip up near Hillman and I caught several (nice size) Sunfish & Bluegill that literally had hundreds of these little black things all over the outside of their skin especially around there gills.

Anybody know what these are?

[MuskyDan]

Parasites, I have eaten lots of fish with these on them but I don't like to.

[wolverines]

I've Seen'em on bass too...

[RichP]

I see this quite a bit on a couple of lakes I fish.

nothing a little hot oil can't kill....


http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_10950-27376--,00.html

[RyeDog]

Parasites, I have eaten lots of fish with these on them but I don't like to.

Yeah, I ate them but something was telling me that this was not normal. I think I may be throwing real spotted ones back from now on.

[FishermanJohn]

It's already been mentioned, but they are parasites. Sometimes you can find little white worm/grubs in the flesh. They are apparently harmless, and they cook out of the flesh. I have never noticed a taste difference before.

[shadow]

pick up the new MI fishing guide and read up

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_10950-27376--,00.html

[rico1391]

Yeah, I ate them but something was telling me that this was not normal. I think I may be throwing real spotted ones back from now on.

Don't throw the real spotted ones back, that is the easiest way to spread the parasite. They are harmless, and they show up mostly on panfish because they transfer from fish to fish through the weedbeds. There is no taste difference, it's just like the little worms in pork that die when you cook it.