Lamprey Eels

[mwakely]

Caught two walleye today east of the ditch and they had "lamprey eels" attached to them. Is this common? It's the first I can remember catching a fish with a lamprey in Lake St. Clair?

[alex-v]

Most likely they are the "Silver Lamprey" which are a natural organism found in the Great Lakes. They are not the problem that the Sea Lamprey is.

We have talked about the Silver Lamprey here a few times and one of the better web sites on this little critter is here:

Lampreys of Michigan
They talk about the Silver about 1/2 way down. Do a search on your favorite search engine using the name Silver Lamprey as the exact phrase.

BTW, I have caught at least one Walleye with one or more on them this year. And, a couple have had small wounds which I figure were Lamprey. I did find a Sea Lamprey last year on a large carp.

[mwakely]

Yep, You are correct it was a Silver Lamprey! I never knew there were so many specicies of lampreys.

[sweatyspartan]

i know its been discussed....BUT...should we kill a lamprey when we find it on the fish?

[alex-v]

I would say that we should get rid of any of the Sea Lamprey since they are not a natural part of the Great Lakes eco-system.

As to the Silver Lamprey I am undecided. If they are on the fish when I catch it and the fish is going home with me then so is the Silver Lamprey.

[mwakely]

The Silver Lampreys I caught are now 2 feet under in my garden. Along with the 12 other walleye skeltons.