Wildlife Commission fisheries biologists are asking anglers to help them document the presence of gill lice — tiny, white crustaceans — that have been found on brook trout in several headwater streams of the Cullasaja River in Macon County. Biologists don’t know how widely distributed the gill lice are or the ultimate impact they may have so they’re asking any angler who catches a brook trout with gill lice to contact Jake Rash at 828-659-3324, ext. 225, or by email at jacob.rash@ncwildlife.org.
Gill lice attach to a fish’s gills, which can traumatize gills and inhibit the fish’s ability to breathe.
(photo by Amanda Bushon)
HIGHLANDS, N.C. (Dec. 19, 2014) — Fisheries biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are asking for anglers’ assistance after gill lice were found on brook trout in several headwater streams of the Cullasaja River in Macon County.
Staff with the Little Tennessee Land Trust found the gill lice in September while sampling fish with the Commission near Highlands. The discovery marked the first time that gill lice have been documented in North Carolina waters. Biologists are concerned what affect these tiny, white crustaceans — also known as copepods — could have on native brook trout populations. .............. (Read More)
Till next time....
Tight lines
Johnny
Tight lines
Johnny
