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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2001

FISHHOOK WATERFLEA FOUND IN LAKE ERIE

COLUMBUS, OH -- Another aquatic nuisance species, the fishhook waterflea (Cercopagis pengoi), has been identified in Lake Erie, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). No more than one-half-inch long, this tiny animal has the potential to cause problems for Ohio anglers and Lake Erie fish.

“Fishhook waterfleas feed on zooplankton, small animals that larval fish need to survive,” said Gary Isbell, executive administrator for fish management with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “At this point, we have no idea how this nuisance species may affect sport fish in Lake Erie, but any exotic species is potentially trouble.”

Anglers in other Great Lakes experiencing the fishhook waterflea report the nuisance species accumulating on trolling lines and clogging up the first eyelet on fishing rods making it difficult to reel in fish.

Named for the S-shaped hook in its long tail, the fishhook waterflea is part of a group of organisms known as crustaceans, including such larger species as crayfish and shrimp. As the shallowest and warmest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie provides a favorable habitat to the highly reproductive waterflea.

Originally from Eastern Europe, the fishhook waterflea was first found in the Great Lakes in Lake Ontario in 1998 and Lake Michigan in 1999. Wildlife scientists believe that it was initially introduced to the lakes by an ocean-going freighter releasing ballast water.

The Lake Erie specimens were found just south of the mouth of the Detroit River, leading biologists to believe that the fishhook waterflea is now also in Lake St. Clair. The specimens were identified by biologists at The Ohio State University working in a cooperative research project with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. The study is headed by OSU professor and aquatic ecologist Dr. David Culver.

Isbell suggests the following measures to help stem the spread of aquatic nuisance species in Ohio:

  • Thoroughly clean all fishing tackle, diving gear, nets, boats and anything else that may hold water before moving from one lake to another.
  • Drain water from boat motors, live wells, bilges and transom wells while on land before leaving a water area.
  • Empty bait buckets on land upon leaving the water and before you leave the area. Do not release live bait into a body of water or release animals from one body of water into another.
  • Discard contaminated fishing line and nets that are uncleanable.

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For Further Information Contact:
Randy Sanders, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6344
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882