Invasive sea lamprey may grab headlines, but they’re not the only lamprey living in the Great Lakes basin. Michigan Sea Grant and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission have collaborated on a new educational poster featuring these eel-like fish. The poster showcases the physical characteristics and behavior patterns of four native lamprey species alongside the larger, invasive sea lamprey. This helpful teaching tool unpacks the differences between parasitic and non-parasitic lamprey and includes a depiction of the lamprey life cycle. The poster is now available for sale through Michigan Sea Grant’s online store.
Sea lamprey hit the news in 2025 due to proposed federal funding cuts to field programs that work to monitor and suppress invasive sea lamprey in Michigan. A new documentary, The Fish Thief, highlights the crucial importance of this ongoing work around the Great Lakes. Learn more about lamprey, the documentary, and the science of lamprey control from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
