U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
News Release
Ludington Biological Station
5050 Commerce Drive
Ludington, MI 49431
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025
Contact: Jenna Tews, [email protected], (231) 690-3305
Sea lamprey control planned for Lake Huron Tributary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will apply lampricides to Cold Creek (Iosco County)
to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom. Applications will be conducted
between June 3 – 12, 2025, in accordance with State of Michigan permits. Application dates
are tentative and may be changed based upon local weather or stream conditions near the time
of treatment.
Sea lamprey larvae live in hundreds of Great Lakes tributaries and transform to parasites that
migrate to the Great Lakes and kill fish by feeding on their blood and body fluids. Failure to
kill sea lamprey larvae in streams will result in significant damage to the Great Lakes fishery.
Infested tributaries must be treated on a regular basis with lampricides to control sea lamprey
populations.
Extensive preparations and precautions are required to deliver a safe and effective stream
treatment. Prior to treatment, trained personnel collect data on stream water chemistry and
discharge. In addition, they may conduct on-site toxicity tests and stream flow studies with
non-harmful dyes that cause stream water to appear red or green.
Lampricides are carefully metered into the stream for approximately 12 hours, and continually
analyzed at predetermined sites to ensure proper concentrations are maintained as they move
downstream. Applicators are trained and certified by regulatory agencies for aquatic applications
of pesticides.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory
Agency have reviewed human health and environmental safety data for lampricides, and in
2003 concluded that the lampricides (Lampricide and Bayluscide) pose no unreasonable risk to
the general population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to
control larval sea lampreys. However, as with any pesticide, the public is advised to use
discretion and minimize unnecessary exposure. Lampricides are selectively toxic to sea
lampreys, but a few fish, insect, and broadleaf plants are sensitive. Persons confining bait fish
or other organisms in stream water are advised to use an alternate water source because
lampricides may cause mortality among aquatic organisms stressed by crowding and handling.
Agricultural irrigation must be suspended for 24 hours, during and following treatment.
Under the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is
responsible for developing and implementing sea lamprey control through the Great Lakes basin,
which it does through contractual arrangements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Commission initiated chemical control of sea lampreys in
1958. Since that time, the highly successful program has contributed significantly to the
maintenance of the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries.
For additional information in Canada call 1-800-553-9091. To reach the Marquette Biological
Station call 906-226-6571 or to reach the Ludington Biological Station call 231-843-7000.
—FWS--
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants
and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife
conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and
commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit fws.gov.
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is an international organization established by the United States and Canada through the
1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries. The commission has the responsibility to promote measures that protect and improve
the multi-billion-dollar Great Lakes fishery. Visit online at www.glfc.org.
Iosco County News-Herald – Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Brown Trout (BNT) in Lake Huron
At a meeting in Bay City DNR-Fisheries Management Biologist April Simmons discussed Brown
Trout (BNT) stocking and tagging in Saginaw. Between 1979 – 2011, 3.29 million BNT (roughly
half of the total number stocked in Lake Huron) were stocked in Tawas Bay. The stocking was
discontinued in 2012 because of poor results, due to a decrease in alewives (a prey buffer),
increase in walleye predation, and a recovered bird population. Currently, about 10,000 BNT
are being stocked into the East Branch of the AuGres River. The goal is to create a resident
(reproducing) river fishery. BNT have been stocked in the Rifle River as well. The over-all
objective is to have a diverse fishery in Saginaw Bay, to include yellow perch and walleye, etc.
Ms. Simmons reminded fishermen to report their catches of BNT; otherwise, the assumption will
be made that no one is catching BNT and therefore, that the stocking is not working. This year
Ms. Simmons began a pilot study using acoustic telemetry tags, the same as with walleye, to
REALLY study and obtain data on what the BNT populations are doing: migration patterns,
calculate the mean growth index, the strain of BNT, etc. There is also a system of fin-clipping to
identify where the fish was stocked. To report your catch call a DNR Office or submit a photo
via the Eyes in the Field tool. She further advised that the easiest thing is to save the carcass;
she will take the whole thing. Ms. Simmons contact info: 989-686-2295 and
[email protected]
News Release
Ludington Biological Station
5050 Commerce Drive
Ludington, MI 49431
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025
Contact: Jenna Tews, [email protected], (231) 690-3305
Sea lamprey control planned for Lake Huron Tributary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will apply lampricides to Cold Creek (Iosco County)
to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom. Applications will be conducted
between June 3 – 12, 2025, in accordance with State of Michigan permits. Application dates
are tentative and may be changed based upon local weather or stream conditions near the time
of treatment.
Sea lamprey larvae live in hundreds of Great Lakes tributaries and transform to parasites that
migrate to the Great Lakes and kill fish by feeding on their blood and body fluids. Failure to
kill sea lamprey larvae in streams will result in significant damage to the Great Lakes fishery.
Infested tributaries must be treated on a regular basis with lampricides to control sea lamprey
populations.
Extensive preparations and precautions are required to deliver a safe and effective stream
treatment. Prior to treatment, trained personnel collect data on stream water chemistry and
discharge. In addition, they may conduct on-site toxicity tests and stream flow studies with
non-harmful dyes that cause stream water to appear red or green.
Lampricides are carefully metered into the stream for approximately 12 hours, and continually
analyzed at predetermined sites to ensure proper concentrations are maintained as they move
downstream. Applicators are trained and certified by regulatory agencies for aquatic applications
of pesticides.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory
Agency have reviewed human health and environmental safety data for lampricides, and in
2003 concluded that the lampricides (Lampricide and Bayluscide) pose no unreasonable risk to
the general population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to
control larval sea lampreys. However, as with any pesticide, the public is advised to use
discretion and minimize unnecessary exposure. Lampricides are selectively toxic to sea
lampreys, but a few fish, insect, and broadleaf plants are sensitive. Persons confining bait fish
or other organisms in stream water are advised to use an alternate water source because
lampricides may cause mortality among aquatic organisms stressed by crowding and handling.
Agricultural irrigation must be suspended for 24 hours, during and following treatment.
Under the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is
responsible for developing and implementing sea lamprey control through the Great Lakes basin,
which it does through contractual arrangements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Commission initiated chemical control of sea lampreys in
1958. Since that time, the highly successful program has contributed significantly to the
maintenance of the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries.
For additional information in Canada call 1-800-553-9091. To reach the Marquette Biological
Station call 906-226-6571 or to reach the Ludington Biological Station call 231-843-7000.
—FWS--
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants
and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife
conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and
commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit fws.gov.
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is an international organization established by the United States and Canada through the
1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries. The commission has the responsibility to promote measures that protect and improve
the multi-billion-dollar Great Lakes fishery. Visit online at www.glfc.org.
Iosco County News-Herald – Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Brown Trout (BNT) in Lake Huron
At a meeting in Bay City DNR-Fisheries Management Biologist April Simmons discussed Brown
Trout (BNT) stocking and tagging in Saginaw. Between 1979 – 2011, 3.29 million BNT (roughly
half of the total number stocked in Lake Huron) were stocked in Tawas Bay. The stocking was
discontinued in 2012 because of poor results, due to a decrease in alewives (a prey buffer),
increase in walleye predation, and a recovered bird population. Currently, about 10,000 BNT
are being stocked into the East Branch of the AuGres River. The goal is to create a resident
(reproducing) river fishery. BNT have been stocked in the Rifle River as well. The over-all
objective is to have a diverse fishery in Saginaw Bay, to include yellow perch and walleye, etc.
Ms. Simmons reminded fishermen to report their catches of BNT; otherwise, the assumption will
be made that no one is catching BNT and therefore, that the stocking is not working. This year
Ms. Simmons began a pilot study using acoustic telemetry tags, the same as with walleye, to
REALLY study and obtain data on what the BNT populations are doing: migration patterns,
calculate the mean growth index, the strain of BNT, etc. There is also a system of fin-clipping to
identify where the fish was stocked. To report your catch call a DNR Office or submit a photo
via the Eyes in the Field tool. She further advised that the easiest thing is to save the carcass;
she will take the whole thing. Ms. Simmons contact info: 989-686-2295 and
[email protected]