How Invasive Species Are Impacting Lake Erie’s Fishery

Lake Erie’s fishery faces severe threats from over 185 invasive species that have established in its shallow, warm waters. You’ll find sea lampreys particularly destructive, killing up to 21kg of fish during their parasitic stage. These invaders have caused significant declines in native fish populations and created ecosystem imbalances, forcing anglers to adapt with specialized gear like high-drag reels and underwater lights. Understanding these impacts can help you protect this vulnerable ecosystem while improving your fishing success.

Lake Erie, being shallow, warm, and biologically active, has become particularly vulnerable to invasive species growth. Over 185 aquatic invasive species have established in the Great Lakes, with Lake Erie most affected. These invaders have contributed to significant declines of native fish populations and created severe ecosystem imbalances. Human activities like shipping and recreational boating have been the primary introduction vectors for most invasive species entering the Great Lakes ecosystem. Among these invasive species, sea lampreys have been especially destructive, with a single lamprey capable of killing up to 21 kg of fish during its parasitic juvenile stage. Anglers fishing these waters often need high-drag reels to combat the larger, more aggressive invasive species that have altered the lake’s fishing dynamics. Nighttime fishing with underwater lights can improve catch rates as many invasive species are attracted to illumination. Boaters can help prevent further invasions by using security systems that ensure their vessels and equipment are properly secured when not in use, reducing the risk of unintentional transport of aquatic hitchhikers. Fishing enthusiasts looking to protect their equipment while monitoring for invasive species should consider corrosion-resistant materials for their rod holders, as Lake Erie’s changing ecological composition has affected water chemistry. Many anglers dealing with invasive species now utilize portable stations for proper cleaning and disposal of fish remains to prevent further spread of these harmful organisms.

References

• https://lakeeriefoundation.org/issues/invasive-species/
• https://www.glfc.org/invasive-species.php
• https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/great-lakes/great-lakes-aquatic-invasive-species-/
• https://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/ais/pdfs/ais-lerieont.pdf
• https://www.glfc.org/what-is-at-risk.php