Fisherman finds European rudd in Ohio’s Lake Erie

COLUMBUS — The first record of European rudd in Ohio waters was recorded in late May.

Discovery made.

It was caught by licensed Ohio commercial fisherman Jim Swartz, who netted the fish near the Lakeside Pier in Marblehead and brought it to state fisheries biologists in Sandusky for identification, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Fish identification.

European rudd is a medium-sized fish native to Europe and Western Asia, where it is a popular food and game species. It was introduced to the United States in the late 19th century or early 20th century and may be found in as many as 20 other states.

Rudd were first recorded in the Great Lakes drainage in 1950, found in Canadian waters of Lake Erie in 1997, and more recently in Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie in 2004.

Fish characteristics.

Rudd are in the minnow family with omnivorous feeding habits and a lifespan of up to 15 years. Adult size is about 18-20 inches. The fish is very similar to the golden shiner in appearance. They are abundant in the upper Niagara River and in Buffalo Harbor, N.Y.

Rudd may compete for invertebrate food sources with native fishes. Because rudd are fairly hardy, they are likely to fare better than many native fishes in waters that are low in oxygen or polluted.