Mackinac County Creeks Are Treated for Sea Lamprey

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will apply lampricides to sections of the Black and Crow rivers and Hog Island Creek in Mackinac County to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom. Applications will be conducted on various dates, beginning as late as July 2. Application will be complete in about six days. Application dates are tentative and may be changed based upon local weather or stream conditions near the time of treatment.

The lampricides pose no unreasonable risk to the general population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to control larval sea lampreys. As with any pesticide, the public is advised to use discretion and minimize unnecessary exposure. 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.

Sea lamprey larvae live in certain Great Lakes tributaries and transform to parasitic adults that migrate to the Great Lakes and kill fish. Infested tributaries must be treated every three to five years with lampricides to control sea lamprey populations.

For additional information, call (800) 472-9212.