Impacts Of Sea Lamprey On Lake Trout

HISTORY >>

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History of Sea Lampreys

Sea lampreys were originally found in the Atlantic Ocean, near eastern North America, Europe and northern Africa.  In 1829, the opening of the Welland Canal gave the species access to the upper Great Lakes, now they are found in all the Great Lakes.  Sea lampreys originally survived in sea water, but they were able to adapt to the fresh water found in the Great Lakes.  The Great Lakes now hold the only landlocked populations of sea lampreys.  The sea lampreys are an environmental change affecting the populations of fish.

 

History of Lake Trout

Lake trout inhabit cold waters of northern North America.  They are well adapted to the deep, clear waters of the upper Great Lakes, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Lake trout were at the top of the food chain.  They targeted fish species such as whitefish, lake cisco, and small mammals such as mice and shrews.  Ontario is inhabited by 25% of all lake trout species.