As if flies, spawnbags, and giant treble hooks set in tubes of lead weren't enough for spawning salmon to contend with...
FRANKFORT, Mich. (AP)-- Salmon swimming up the Betsie River to spawn were killed by a chemical targeting the parasitic sea lamprey, officials said Friday.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service treated the river Thursday night with the chemical, known as TFM. It does so ever four years in the battle against the lamprey, an eel-like creature that attaches itself to fish and sucks out their bodily fluids...
It happened at a bad time for area resorts, many which are packed with anglers during spawning season.
"I'm not sure ... that I would agree with scheduling the river this time of year," said Mark Tonello, a fish biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. But he said the federal agency usually does a good job with the treatments and added, "If it weren't for lamprey control, there wouldn't be any salmon in these rivers at all."
(from Mlive.com)
At least if fishermen up there get skunked, they have a good excuse.
Tags: Fishing; Conservation
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