Sudden appearance of ‘Zombie fish’ of Lake Superior prompt multi agency invetigation

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Okay, so I’ve been hearing about these crazy ‘zombie fish’ showing up in Lake Superior, and it’s seriously weirding people out! Apparently, officials are now looking into what’s causing it – they’re trying to figure out why these fish are acting so strangely. It’s a bit unsettling, honestly, and I’m hoping they find some answers soon!

Michigan boasts a diverse fish population, including the Siscowet lake trout. This trout is particularly noteworthy because its population is naturally resistant to parasites like the sea lamprey, making it a valuable species for both fishing and the local economy, according to Shawn Sitar, a biologist with the Department of Natural Resources.

Biologists have noticed more and more very thin lake trout, and they’ve started calling them ‘zombie fish.’ According to Sitar, the nickname came about because these fish appear to simply drift and move around aimlessly, much like zombies.

Sitar says “50% of the catches in Lake Superior are zombie fish”

Experts have noticed that these fish, nicknamed ‘zombie fish,’ are significantly lighter – about 40 to 50% less than typical for their species. Greg McClinchey, director of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, suggests this weight loss might be caused by a disease.

McClinchey also suggests other things could be contributing to this problem. He believes it might be caused by a lack of food, pollutants, the effects of sea lamprey, issues specific to Lake Superior’s environment, or a mix of these factors.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission are working together to investigate what’s causing problems with fish health.

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2026-04-12 20:19