Episode 238: Why Sea Lamprey Keep Coming Back (FISH TALK W/ THE DOC)

The forest is burning, but what’s happening beneath the water? This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete welcome back Dr. Steven Cooke to explore how wildfires affect fish—and why the damage can continue long after the flames are out. From disappearing shade and changing food sources to ash-filled runoff and algae blooms, the Doc breaks down what fires mean for our lakes and rivers, how recovery happens, and why some fisheries may eventually benefit. Plus, does wildfire smoke create the fishing conditions we think it does? The conversation also takes us inside the ongoing battle against sea lamprey, revisits the walleye-versus-pickerel debate, and tackles a question that still divides anglers: can fish sense forward-facing sonar? Before the Doc joins, the boys discuss Lake Erie’s declining perch numbers, listener feedback on small boats in big water, and a Lake Ontario tournament that left Ang spending the night in an abandoned lighthouse.