Mud Skipper found in The Erie Canal

[mud-skipper]

I was fishing in the canal this afternoon, using a redworm, near some wooden pilings, and I caught a Mud Skipper. It was about 4" long and it was in about 8' of water.

I'd say that was a rather odd coincidence. I never imagined these fish were in the Erie canal.

Am I mistaken about them not normally being found in fresh water?

 

[mud-skipper]

A neighbor recognised the fish. It's not a Mud Skipper, it's a Round Goby, an invasive species from The Black Sea. Apparently the Bass, Pike and Salmon like them and they make good bait. They also thrive on Zebra Mussels so are helping to clean up that nightmare.