Institute for Fisheries Research Report No. 1785, 1972

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Institute for Fisheries Research Report No. 1785, 1972
Larval Lamprey Populations in a Lake Huron Bay and Tributary

Wilbert C. Wagner, Thomas M. Stauffer and Martin J. Hansen

Abstract.-A stratified, random sampling technique was used to estimate the number of lamprey larvae in McKay Bay and McKay Creek during 1961-63. The total number of sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) was 32,926; 39% in the bay and 61% in the stream. This demonstrated that lenitic populations are large enough to warrant concern. Although our estimate showed that most lenitic larvae were on or near the alluvial fan where they could be eradicated with Bayluscide, nonrandom sampling revealed a substantial population some 1, 400 feet from the stream mouth. This study confirms the need for continued, frequent larvicide treatments for certain streams. The American brook lamprey (Lampetra lamottei) population in our study area of McKay Creek was estimated at 130,808 and had a biomass of 352 pounds, or 30 pounds per acre..