What is it

[cedarglenguy]

Caught this fish on Sunday.  At first I thought the thing hanging from its gill was a snake.  But it wasn't.  Unfortunately it dropped off and headed deep.  Coming from the Great lakes area the closest thing like it that I've seen is a Lamprey, but that doesn't seem right.  Anybody know what it is.

[Flysmallie]

4 minutes ago, cedarglenguy said:

 Coming from the Great lakes area the closest thing like it that I've seen is a Lamprey, but that doesn't seem right.  

 

That's what it is. 

[fishin_addict]

yup. Lamprey.  I found them on LOZ fish a fair amount last year.

[shrapnel]

Had one swim by the dock last week with one hanging off it, seemed like it was killing the fish.

[tjm]

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/chestnut-lamprey

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/northern-brook-lamprey

[fishinwrench]

My neighbor spent all day parading this copperhead around town.  Pretty sure it's the biggest one I've ever seen.   About 4'6"

[tjm]

4'6" copperhead is just about a world record.  No doubt bigger than any I've seen.

[Deadstream]

Wow! That is impressive.  

[fishinwrench]

33 minutes ago, Deadstream said:

Wow! That is impressive.  

I thought so too.   Everybody is saying "awe he's holding it out in front of him, and it looks bigger than it really is".

Which is true, but it is still a giant copperhead !  

[tjm]

Biggest I could find recorded was 53".  A couple 4'6". I'd bet it's a state record.