In the last couple of years, we have received many stories of anglers landing fish with an eel-like fish attached. The stories have come mainly from L. Derg during the mayfly season. Similar ones come from L. Conn, again, during the mayfly.
Land-locked lamprey do not go to sea but will attach themselves to host fish in lakes. These hosts may well be the bigger fish present –adult salmon, large brown trout, adult pike or bream. You may well land one attached to your prized fish. Or you may notice round or disc-like scarring marks on the sides of your fish – where the lamprey had been attached.
We are anxious to collect information on both forms of ‘evidence’ of land-locked sea lamprey and you, the angler, are the best person to help.
To date we have received great support from anglers, with samples and/or photos from Lough Derg on the Shannon, Corrib and Conn in the west, Gill in Sligo and Muckross Co. Kerry.
What to do…
If you land an angling fish with an eel- like fish attached
- enjoy your sport fish, either for eating or for catch-and-release BUT
- please retain the lamprey for us to carry out a scientific examination
- Put it in a freezer or post it or ring one of our contact numbers to arrange collection
- Remember we need a date, location on the lake and type of fish to which the lamprey was attached
If you notice round or disc-like markings on the fish skin with scarring of flesh we would love to hear from you with a location, number of marks, type of fish etc. A photo via digital camera or camera phone would be particularly helpful. Remember to include date and location of capture.
What to do…
If you land an angling fish with round markings on the skin
- record of the angling fish size and species
- location and number of marks
- A photo via digital camera or camera phone to show marks and the size of the host fish
- Remember to include date and location of capture.
Your help can make this project a success! If you can help us with evidence of markings and/or landed lamprey please contact IFI staff listed below:
Contacts: [email protected]
Inland Fisheries Ireland, Citywest, Dublin:
Nicola O’Gorman 087 2801423 ; [email protected]
