Boating on the beautiful clear waters of Lake Champlain it is hard to imagine that beneath the often sunlit sparking surface with its majestic background there lurking several invasive species that if left unchecked would devastate the ecosystem of this vast body of water. And that in turn could destroy the vitally important recreational fishing industry the lake enjoys.
There have so far been 51 non-native species identified in Lake Champlain. Of those 14 have been classified as invasive meaning they can do harm to the ecosystem. Foremost among the non-native species are the Sea Lamprey, Zebra Mussel and Round Goby fish. Ironically Lake Champlain seems to be a matter of history repeating itself in that the Great Lakes experienced a collapse in the Great Lakes fisheries in the mid-20th century. The fish which were once abundant in the Great Lakes were rapidly dying from circular wounds to their bodies. In time it was discovered the wounds were caused by an eel shaped parasite fish (not related to eels) which attached itself to trout, salmon and other fish. The Sea Lamprey does not have a jaw but instead has a circular mouth filled with teeth that lock into the host fish’s flesh. If the native fish survives the wound, it expands more energy healing the wound than on producing eggs and mating. This causes a rapid decline in the native fish population. In the Great Lakes it nearly destroyed the entire fish industry.
The Sea Lamprey currently represents a significant economic and ecological threat to the American Great Lakes region. The Sea Lamprey was first discovered in Lake Ontario in 1835. Commercial fishermen began to notice their presence when the fish they caught often had Sea Lamprey attached to their bodies. In a short time, the Sea Lamprey soon spread throughout the area. By 1947 it was determined that it was introduced to the lakes after migrating through the Erie Canal or “hitchhiking” on boat hulls and host fish. Yet another factor was the use of larval lampreys as bait by sport fishermen. Sea Lamprey were known to have existed in Lake Erie in since 1835. In 1919 reconstruction of the Welland Canal, which bypasses Niagara Falls to connect Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, is believed to have afforded the Sea Lamprey easy entrance to Lake Erie and on to the rest of the basin. They were discovered in Lake Erie in 1921, Lake Michigan in 1936, Lake Huron in 1937 and Lake Superior in 1939.
Fortunately, men like J.W. Christie and J.D. Battle dedicated their lives to controlling the Sea Lamprey and were able, after a decade of dogged research, to come up with a chemical that could kill larval Sea Lamprey called TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol).
As in the case of the Great Lakes, invasive species are believed to have gained access to Lake Champlain hitching on ships coming from the Atlantic Ocean through human-built canals and locks. Many ships are equipped with ballast tanks that take on sea water to stabalize the ship. When cargo is taken on the sea water is pumped out and with it any invasive species it had picked up when the tanks were filled. So, it became possible for a Sea Lamprey from some far-off port in the Atlantic Ocean to be transported in the ballast tank of a ship through a canal or lock and into bodies of water where the Sea Lamprey is a non-native species. It is believed the invasion into the Great Lakes came through the Welland Canal and similarly through the Champlain Canal into Lake Champlain. It is known that the Zebra Mussel made its way from the Great Lakes to Lake Champlain over a course of five years.
Combating the Sea Lamprey and other invasive species is a major undertaking and involves various methods. A new tool in use now in the Great Lakes is e-DNA , it is known as environmental DNA. Water samples can be screened for the DNA of specific species while their number are still smaller and still too rare to be detected. Researching using e-DNA recently detected high concentrations of bighead invasive carp getting close to entering the Great Lakes. In response barriers were constructed in canals near Chicago to prevent the invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan. Another approach involves alerning the reproductive ability of fish then releasing them into the population which has the end result of reducing the number of invasive species.
Controlling invasive species is an important job of government and also the responsibility of recreational fisherman, commercial boat operators and the recreational boating population. Preventing hitchhiking into the lakes is an important responsibility of anyone entering those precious waters. Specifically, that involves learning how to avoid transporting invasive species You can learn just how to do that online; https://www.lcbp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/6-9-2022-Invasive-Species-Guide-HR.pdf
This advice is offered from the Lake Champlain Basin Program Aquatic Invasive Species Management; “Grand Isle, VT – After a long winter, many anglers and boaters look forward to starting their recreation season on Lake Champlain as early as possible. Unfortunately, aquatic invasive plants and animals, like curly leaf pond weed and Zebra Mussels, do not take the spring off. Many invasive species over winter in our lakes and streams will be growing as soon as the ice is out. If you are boating in April and May, please make sure to clean, drain, and dry your boats and trailers and disinfect your fishing gear. All of the Northeast states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Rhode Island) will thank you if you do.
The Northeast states spend millions of dollars each year protecting the ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams that call to you when the spring peepers are singing and the snowdrops are blooming. Together we can keep your favorite fishing hole or aquatic home-away-from-home an enjoyable and relaxing place to be.
“We depend on the people who enjoy the natural beauty of our waterways in Vermont to do their part to ensure they remain healthy. It is a small measure that has a great impact to clean, drain, and dry your watercraft to protect one of our greatest resources” said Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick.
“Aquatic invasive species are waking up alongside their native counterparts, and we all need to make sure we do not move any plants or animals to ensure we are protecting the natural resources we enjoy,” said Dr. Eric Howe, Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
Also, remember that if you are boating in New Hampshire or in Maine with vessels registered in a different state, you must purchase a state-specific out-of-state boater decal to boat on waters in those states. Decals are $20. The New Hampshire decal can be purchased at https://nhdes.usedirect.com/NewHampshireWeb/, and the Maine decal can be purchased at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/boating/protection-sticker.html.
Please check https://www.lcbp.org/our-goals/healthy-ecosystems/aquatic-invasive-species/aquatic-invasive-species-spread/ for tips on how to clean, drain, and dry. #PROTECTYOURWATERS #CLEANDRAINDRY
For further information about aquatic invasive species in Lake Champlain, call Meg Modley, Lake Champlain Basin Program Aquatic Invasive Species Management Coordinator at (802) 372-0216.