Pike - wierd injury... safe to eat?

[TiNK3R]

So I pulled a snot rocket up through the hole today. About 24" nothing special.

However once I got it up I noticed a nasty injury it had. Idk if it's an actual injury or something else... (hopefully not parasite dmg)

It's a (nearly perfectly) round hole on his back, side. It's not deep.. just a little into the meat... pure red. Kinda like it had been bleeding.

It doesn't look like another fish bite to me, but idk.

Anyone see anything like this?

(Id post pictures but I'm fairly sure it's against the forums tos)

[Craigums]

Lamprey mark?

[giddyup99]

Yeah...seen that before. Sounds like a lamprey was hitching a ride on your fish. If that is what it was you should be ok to eat it.

[Jethro80]

Where were you fishing?

[broman]

I know exactly what you're talking about. Not sure what it was. I found the same exact round pinkish spot on a northern my father in law caught on Yellow Lake in Burnett Co, Wi. I cut around the meat just in case. Bad case of diareah after that.... nah just kidding.... I was fine.

[Jim Almquist]

Quote:

(Id post pictures but I'm fairly sure it's against the forums tos)

Picture are OK just as long as it is in a natural setting but links to other websites will get you in trouble. I am curious to see some pics and what lake did you catch this in ?

[firefightingfish]

sounds just like a lampery mark i see alot of them in the summer on salmon in lake michigan alot of times you will see the lampery come off as you net the salmon slippery litte things go right through the net.i am still alive and ate quite a few salmon with those marks

ps i do twitch alot lol just kidding

[not_nuf_time]

Possibly just got punched by a dull spear.

[Bigslugger]

go to the dnr HSOforum and look up the fish diseases and such on there

[TiNK3R]

Was off of minnetonka

[TiNK3R]

After googling it... that's exactly what it looks like. That's some nasty stuff!!

Go to google - hit images and put in "lamprey wound"

[TiNK3R]

Wonder why (if that's the real reason) they're in our lakes here ><

[bgreen82]

safe or not, i still would let that one go. i just dont care for anything that looks wierd.

[DeeDee]

Found this on Google. THey say if you get a fish with the Lamprey still attached they want you to send it to them...

"If you notice round or disc-like markings on the fish skin with scarring of flesh we would love to hear from you with

A record of the angling fish size, location and number of marks.

A photo via digital camera or camera phone would be particularly helpful.

Remember to include date and location of capture.

Your help can make this project a success! If you can help us with evidence of markings and/or landed lamprey please contact your nearest Fisheries Board staff listed below:

Contacts:

NWRFB

General: 096 22788;

Michael Lennon 087 2597869;

Peter Collins 087 2515424;

Markus Müller 087 2733763;

Padraig Traynor 086 6052687;

Declan Cooke 087 6792292;

CFB

Jimmy King 087 6468608

April 2007

Next: Report a lamprey sighting

Previous: Current Research"

[caseymcq]

If you post a picture I will have my resident fisheries biologist take a look at the pic and I can ask her what she thinks it is.

[Splake]

Name of the condition: Lymphosarcoma

Cause of disease: Probably caused by a virus

What does it look like? Cauliflower like tumor on the skin. Tumors range from pea size to several inches, depending on water temperature. Tumors are more prominent at cooler water temperatures (fall and winter) and sometimes regress in northern pike. Tumor may spread to inner organs.

Lymphosarcoma Lymphosarcoma

Fish species affected:

Muskies and Northern Pike.

Life cycle:

Believed to be a viral disease that may be transmitted by close physical contact, such as spawning. Transmission of the virus may be possible by physical contact during spawning and other close contacts.

Where is the disease is found?

Where ever muskies and northern pike are present. Quite common in Minnesota.

Is it safe to eat?

Due to a lack of concrete scientific knowledge about the disease, consumption is not advised.

How can I prevent the spread?

There are no known methods of preventing this condition.

Disposal of unused portions:

Dispose of uneaten portions by burying or in household waste. Fish entrails should never be discarded back into the lake.

[broman]

I found the pics on the mndnr site where you are referrencing and that seems to look like what I saw. Like I mentioned, I ate my pike, but not that part of it. How long before I kick the bucket..... aaakk.. argg... call the coroner... I'm a goner.... thud....