Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: akasha on March 18, 2011, 09:38:11 PM

Title: Caught Released Trout, weird parasite
Post by: akasha on March 18, 2011, 09:38:11 PM

Long time forum creeper first time poster. Went fishing out at Sasmat tonight, caught a rainbow but it had 5 of these litter critters on it, anyone know what they are?
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_Yx_WYBSwFW4/TYQyOE5DlLI/AAAAAAAAADM/C0E_MmnflWc/s640/P3180014.JPG)

Title: Re: Caught Released Trout, weird parasite
Post by: Dave on March 18, 2011, 10:11:20 PM

They are a parasitic copepod common in productive lakes and for some reason seem to prefer salmonids over other fish like pikeminnows, suckers, chub, etc.   Most often they attach to the gill filaments but are also found around fins.  Salmonids in Cultus Lake are especially affected by these copepods.

Title: Re: Caught Released Trout, weird parasite
Post by: akasha on March 18, 2011, 11:02:28 PM

Hmm are they dangerous or people or dogs or just something you can pull off?

Title: Re: Caught Released Trout, weird parasite
Post by: Dave on March 19, 2011, 09:07:17 AM

No, they are not dangerous and yes, pull them off.