We all are well aware of the wonderful world class fishery dominated by huge king salmon and trout that exists within its waters. We may not all be aware that this action packed fishery is totally dependent on the smallest of creatures, some visible only under magnification of a microscope. Without this assortment of critters, great catching would not be possible.

The food chain puzzle is certainly complex and ever changing. It all starts with phytoplankton, (algae), which gets eaten by zooplankton, which gets eaten by small fish such as alewives, which in turn is eaten by salmon and trout which then gets consumed by a big time predator known as a human.

Starting with the phytoplankton population, nurtured by the sun fueled photosynthesis process; the nutrient energy capability of the lake is an ever evolving, tumultuous, biological adventure. Thats why some years produce bigger fish than others. Like the NYS Lottery guy says, "hey you never know."

The completion of the St Lawrence Seaway shipping channels and gigantic lock system really changed things throughout the Great Lakes by knowingly providing an entry channel for hundreds of foreign species to our waters. Zebra and Quagga Mussels, ruffe, , gobies, spiny water fleas and fish hook water fleas are a few of the recent relocated residents previously found in Eastern European waters. So far the lake has adapted and survived the invasion but school is out regarding long term consequences. We can only hope that the lakes resiliency powers will allow it to prevail. As governments, lobbied by the shipping industry, move toward exotic invader elimination through ballast water control at the speed of a one legged turtle, our best hope is the lakes ability to adjust on its own.

So far so good, however, what new invader is currently lurking at the doorstep of the worlds largest freshwater system? Well how about the recent arrival, Mr. Hemimysis Anomala, nicknamed the Bloody Red Shrimp. Check out www.glerl.noaa.gov/hemimysis Found recently off Oswego NY, the creature about 1/2 in length is now believed to have been around for a couple of years. We are not yet certain of the shrimps long term impact; however, biologists believe the recent larger alewife size may be a result of their consumption of the newly arrived amphipod. What nature taketh away it sometimes givith back, as it appears that the shrimp are being gobbled up by opportunistic alewives. Fatter baitfish means larger salmon and trout. Perhaps this will be a good invadermaybe. I hope.

Only time will tell. Speaking of time, yours truly, a hungry predator, is about to chomp on some turkey leftovers. It is still great to be a Lake Ontario Troller, especially around Thanksgiving time.