Why These Great Lakes Fish Are More Terrifying Than Sharks

When you think of "dangerous" invasive Great Lakes creatures, you might picture sharks (never confirmed in Michigan), gators, or maybe some Loch Ness cousin lurking in Lake Superior.

RELATED: The Largest Fish Caught in Michigan: 58 State Record Catches

However, the Great Lakes are ruled by two downright nightmare-inducing invaders—sea lampreys and snakeheads—and trust me, they're way scarier than any Hollywood monster.

Michigan’s Creepiest Great Lakes Invaders

Sea Lampreys (Petromyzon marinus, if you're fancy) are the OG villains of the lakes. Picture a slimy eel, then slap on a suction-cup mouth filled with rings of razor teeth and a tongue sharp enough to drill into fish flesh. These freeloaders latch onto trout, salmon, and sturgeon, slurping blood like it's happy hour.

Get our free mobile app

What Sea Lampreys Do to Michigan Fish

According to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, each lamprey can kill up to 40 pounds of fish during its feeding spree. Before they crashed Michigan's party by swimming up the Welland Canal, the lakes were hauling in 15 million pounds of trout annually. After the lampreys moved in? That number crashed to about 300,000.

Meet the Snakehead: Michigan’s Walking Fish

As if lampreys weren't enough, Northern snakeheads decided to add themselves to Michigan's underwater horror show. Animals A to Z reports that snakeheads are toothy, air-breathing fish that not only swim like predators but can also walk short distances on land using their strong pelvic fins.

Related: Michigan DNR Invasive Species Watchlist: Northern Snakehead

Yup—a fish that can walk. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, these guys chow down on anything smaller than themselves and breed like crazy, threatening native species and ecosystems throughout Michigan's Great Lakes and inland lakes.

Why These Invaders Threaten Michigan’s Lakes

Together, sea lampreys and snakeheads are two of the biggest ecological threats facing Michigan's Great Lakes. They don't just ruin fishing trips—they gut industries, wipe out native fish, and mess with Michigan's outdoor traditions. And while you're unlikely to be bitten, just looking at these invasive species is enough to give you nightmares.