Last May, researchers found a cause for excitement in a few fry traps stuck to rocks in Lake Erie, lake trout fry. Their celebration was well worth it, as lake trout had been listed as extirpated from Lake Erie since 1965. The fry were found on a rocky reef near Barcelona Harbor along the lakeshore, a prime spawning ground for lakers. After their discovery, the initial findings in the field were confirmed when Dr. Chris Wilson at Trent University positively identified the fry as lake trout through genetic testing according to NewYorkUpstate.com.
The discovery is a massive milestone in the over 60-year endeavor to reestablish naturally-reproducing lake trout in Lake Erie, and a glimmer of hope for the native char species that once dominated the Lake Erie food chain.
You can read more about the discovery in the links below!
“DEC Announces First Documented Lake Trout Reproduction in Lake Erie in More Than 60 Years” – NYDEC
“Wild Lake Trout Fry Found in Lake Erie for First Time in Over 60 Years” – Field & Stream
Wild Lake Trout Fry Found in Lake Erie for First Time in Over 60 Years
