Mystery Native Fish Species on the American River? by Dale

What native fish species with an incredible evolutionary history predating dinosaurs or trees that has broad cultural and nutritional values to Native Americans is poorly understood and apparently in decline? Most guess Salmon or perhaps Sturgeon but there is another answer. First, another clue even though it is negative and misleading. Sightings of this species in the American River last year were played up in the media as the return of a rare "vampire fish". Neither are true. 

Local biologist Chris Conard took this photo of a Pacific Lamprey being eaten in 2020. iNaturalist record also available.

The Pacific Lamprey is a native fish species that had great ecological and cultural values before colonialization. Don't confuse it with the sea lamprey that was introduced into all the Great Lakes when canals were built and now has a major impact on the fish populations there. Despite its native status, amazing evolutionary history and cultural values, the Pacific Lamprey is not well known, is sensationalized by the media, and considered by many as a pest or at best useful as bait for other fish. 

Local media show up when someone sees an adult lamprey in the American River which is much less common now. Some local fishers used to claim they harvested considerable numbers for bait in northern California by dip net and a tapping technique that may attract adult spawners as well as collecting newly emerged lamprey around their "nests". It's been a while since those claims were made.

For much more information, including insight and stories from tribal biologists working to conserve the species, check out "Mystery Native Fish Species on Making Tracks!"