Parasites@ Lake McMurray

[tallman8251]

Hey All:

New to site and fishing, havent fished in years just getting back in the swing
Was out at Lake Mcmurray and caught this trout (i THink) anyways it has Parasites of some sort on it..
Whats the scoop can I eat this thing?

Thanks

[Derrick-k]

I've seen that at lots of lakes with planted trout.

[Marc Martyn]

:-kI wouldn't eat it. Send that picture to the WDFW.


http://wdfw.wa.gov/contact.htm

[A9]

Heck no. Throw it back.
That's common at a few other lakes during the high-water temp months. Don't love eating planted trout anyways, and I certainly wouldn't even want to touch that fish...

[Marc Martyn]

Next, I suppose we are going to hear that the game department is buying fry from ponds in China!!:pale:

[tallman8251]

Wow, Thanks for the inputs. I did email fish and wildlife with a pic asking them about it. it sucks if it is due to fish planting. According to WDFW the planted 18,000 fish in mcmurray.. I like that lake. The thing I dont understand is I am from Chicago, how can this be to warm water. Our lakes get a lot warmer than what u have out here, and I have never seen anything like that before.

Tallman

[Marc Martyn]

Not being a fish biologist, but my first guess would be that it is a parasite similar to the one that causes "swimmers itch". As the water temperature rises, these parasites become more active. I have been told that the parasites are carried by water fowl. This would be my hunch.

Anyone else have a thought?

[Kenster]

just as everyone else, I am not a biologist, my guess would be flatworms! Don't eat them. Trout are way better in cold water conditons. And the flat worms are usually only active in warm water conditions, same as when the snails are active. C&R that one!!!