An Ancient Lake, Some New Invaders

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In early August, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) released some bad news. Round gobies, an invasive fish previously found in Lake Erie and the Fairview gravel pits, were discovered in Lake LeBoeuf at Waterford. 

Gobies are particularly aggressive and pose a very real threat to the native species in the lake. The news is particularly disturbing since this is the first time the invasive gobies have been discovered in the French Creek watershed area. The lake also empties into French Creek.

French Creek is highly regarded and one of the most important natural resources in the nation. The creek, largely undisturbed over the years, provides a habitat for many rare and endangered plants, mussels  and fish. The creek’s headwaters are in western New York State near Clymer and it wanters for some 118 miles through western Pennsylvania before it empties into the Allegheny River at Franklin. Discover more about historic French Creek,  LeBoeuf

Gobies: photo shared by Sara Grisé-Stahlman, Senior Coastal Outreach Specialist, Pennsylvania Sea Grant

“We are asking anglers at Lake LeBoeuf to do their part to protect our natural resources by following the law and not transporting round gobies from this or any other site,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “Round gobies are an invasive species that can cause great harm to ecosystems. Unfortunately, we have confirmed their presence in Lake LeBoeuf.”

The invasive goby was first discovered in 1990 near the St. Clair River at the Michigan - Ontario border. The gobies were likely introduced from Great Lakes Shipping freighters.

In 2014 they have been reported in all five Great Lakes and are now reported in several inland waterways such as the Fairview gravel pits in Erie County and now at Lake LeBoeuf at Waterford also in Erie County PA.

Gobie are very aggressive bottom feeding fish which can breed up to six times a year, according to Dave Washousky of the French Creek Conservancy located in Meadville.

“This is a matter of very serious concern for French Creek, “ Washousky said. “This really isn’t good news. The gobies can do significant damage.”

For more information on the invasive goby,  The Invader

A Native Fish Look Alike : The Sculpin

According to Brian Pilarcik, a water specialist at the Crawford County Conservation District, our native sculpin look very similar to an invasive goby.

“The easiest way to tell the difference is that the goby will have a single fused pelvic fin, while the native sculpin has two separated pelvic fins,” he said. “Another distinguishing factor is that a sculpin does not have a black round dot on the dorsal fin. A goby has a black round dot on the dorsal fin.”

Anyone with questions or concerns can call Pilarcik at the Woodcock Creek Nature Center at 814-763-5269 or visit the website  for email and other information.

For additional information on gobies and sculpins - Sea Grant

Anglers: Action to Take: from the PFBC at

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/newsreleases/2014press/ais-erie.htm

• Check for and remove plants, mud, and aquatic life from fishing gear and boats before leaving any body of water.
• Drain water from boat, live well, bilge, and bait bucket before transporting a boat.
• Clean boat and gear with hot water, or
• Dry everything for at least several days.
• Do not move any plants or animals from one waterway to another.
• Do not use round gobies as bait.

Anglers who catch a goby outside of Lake LeBoeuf or the Fairview gravel pits are asked to  immediately kill the fish, freeze it and contact the PFBC at 814-474-1515. A report can also be filed at the PFBC website at http://fishandboat.com/ais-reporting.htm

Anglers catching a goby at Lake LeBeouf are asked to kill the fish and throw it in the trash barrels.

Some Quick Facts about Lake LeBoeuf

The Lake is an ancient lake formed by glaciers some 10,000 years ago. It is called a kettle lake and one of the few such lakes in western Pennsylvania.

. Near the lake back in the settlement days, the French had a fort to protect what it deemed it's property. The bloody French and Indian Wars, prior to the American revolution was partly caused by the French refusal to leave after a visit by George Washington, then an officer in the British Army.

Muskie fishing is still popular at the lake and is the area where the famous LeBoeuf Creeper was developed. Discover more about this fishing lure at, The Creeper

Bowfin fishing is still popular at the lake. Bowfins are prehistoric fish. Discover more about the ancient species at Bowfin.