Invasive Round Goby Fish Discovered In Fox River

The invasive round goby fish has been newly discovered in northeastern Wisconsin’s Fox River.

Four round gobies were found earlier this week in the river near the city of Neenah. “It’s the first time to my knowledge that we’ve found round gobies in inland waters in the state of Wisconsin,” said Department of Natural Resources fishery biologist Kendall Kamke. “We know we have them in the Great Lakes.”

The fish feed on bluegill and bass eggs — and if they get into Lake Winnebago, Kamke fears they could go after walleye and sturgeon eggs, which are important from environmental and economic standpoints. From there, the gobies could spread to the Wolf River.

The lock that connects the Fox River with Lake Winnebago has been closed off to contain the fish.

Kamke said if fishermen catch the fish, which are native to the Caspian and Black seas, they should take a picture, freeze the fish and contact the DNR.