January 23, 2006

PROTECT LAKES FROM INVASIVE SPECIES
Rudd Found In Lake Wilcox

TORONTO —Ontarians should be vigilant and help to protect the province’s lakes and rivers from invasive species, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay said today.

"Invasive species are a very real environmental and economic threat to the Great Lakes, inland lakes and rivers," said Ramsay. "The public has a key role to play in protecting our natural environment, and recreational and commercial fisheries from these species."

The rudd, an invasive fish, has been found for the first time in an inland Ontario lake. The rudd was discovered by Toronto and Region Conservation staff during routine fish community assessment in Lake Wilcox, which is located in the headwaters of the East Humber River in Richmond Hill.

A European member of the minnow family, the rudd is believed to be spread through dumping of bait buckets. Prior to its discovery in Lake Wilcox, it was known to occur in Ontario only in isolated locations within the St. Lawrence River and the lower Great Lakes.

The rudd can cross-breed with the indigenous golden shiner, resulting in hybrid young and a potential loss of the unique genetics of the golden shiner. In addition, this invasive fish disrupts spawning and nursery habitats for other native species and threatens Ontario’s aquatic biodiversity.

The public can help stop the spread of this invader by taking the following precautions:

• Learn to identify invasive and non-bait species by visiting www.invadingspecies.com 
• Check bait buckets carefully for invasive or non-bait species before going out on any lake or river
• Prevent the introduction of invasive fish species or other organisms invisible to the naked eye by never releasing baitfish or dumping the contents of bait buckets into a lake or river or on the ice of a lake.

Anyone finding minnows suspected of being an invasive species, such as rudd, is asked to remove and freeze the fish, and call the Invading Species Hotline toll-free at 1-800-563-7711 to report the finding. The hotline is a partnership of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Related Information

• Rudd fact sheet (PDF, 141kb)

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