Identification
The elongated body has a continuous dorsal fin interrupted by a notch rather than two widely separated dorsal fins. Dark lateral pore markings can be visible. The adult oral disc provides the attachment structure, but a disc alone does not distinguish lamprey species.
Different Stages, Different Habitats
Larvae occupy quieter areas with fine bottom material. Adults attach to fish during their feeding phase, then use stony stream habitat for spawning. One stretch of water may therefore represent only part of the life cycle.
Size and Native Context
The maximum length includes the tail. Chestnut Lamprey occurs naturally within parts of the Hudson Bay, Great Lakes, Mississippi and Gulf drainage systems. It should not automatically be labeled an invasive Sea Lamprey simply because it is parasitic.
Keep Native Lampreys Distinct
Parasitism is a feeding strategy, not proof of an introduced species. Establish the lamprey’s identity and location before applying labels borrowed from Sea Lamprey accounts.
All Lakes With Chestnut Lamprey
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Chestnut Lamprey records in our database, listed alphabetically.
Showing 1–18 of 18 lakes · Page 1 of 1
- Caddo Lake Caddo, LA
- Clearwater Lake Beltrami, MN
- Fish Lake Kanabec, MN
- Hamlin Lake Mason, MI
- Hanging Horn Lake Carlton, MN
- Hemlock Lake Hillsdale, MI
- Houghton Lake Roscommon, MI
- Kimes Lake Newaygo, MI
- Lake Michigan Mason, IL
- Lake Michigan Lake, IN
- Lake of the Woods Lake of the Woods, MN
- Moosehead Lake Carlton, MN
- Muskegon Lake Muskegon, MI
- Paw Paw Lake Berrien, MI
- Pokegama Lake Pine, MN
- Portage Lake St. Joseph, MI
- Thornapple Lake Barry, MI
- Wolf Lake Van Buren, MI