The search for an alligator near Lake Erie has captured the attention of many, with officials from the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority conducting a search on Tuesday evening and continuing it into Wednesday morning. The sighting of the alligator near the Great Lake has sparked curiosity about what other unusual creatures may be lurking in the waters of this 210-foot deep waterway.
One recent surprising catch in Lake Erie was made by Colton Alex of Erie, who reeled in a 10.4 pound Atlantic salmon on July 28. This fish is believed to have been stocked hundreds of miles away in Lake Huron, making its appearance in Lake Erie quite unexpected. Additionally, reports of an alligator swimming near East Avenue on August 4 have added to the mystery surrounding the presence of exotic animals in the area. Despite efforts to locate the reptile, it has not yet been captured.
Interestingly, this is not the first time an alligator has been released in Erie. Captain Jim Smolko of the Northwest Region of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission recalled a similar incident where a 3-foot long alligator was caught at the mouth of Elk Creek. The reptile was rescued and given to someone in North East Township for proper care.
In addition to alligators, Lake Erie has been home to other unexpected sightings over the years. Sturgeon, which are native to the lake, have been occasionally caught by fishermen. Smolko mentioned seeing two sturgeons that washed up on the shore, measuring 30 to 40 inches in length. Reports of non-native snakes like boa constrictors and albino rat snakes have also been received by his office.
In a bizarre incident in July 2010, a fisherman caught a pacu, a relative of the piranha, while fishing in Presque Isle Bay. This South American freshwater fish, believed to have been released from someone’s pet aquarium, weighed 7 pounds and measured 20 inches. Similarly, a dead dogfish shark, a saltwater species, was discovered in Lake Erie in July 1979, causing confusion among locals.
Jerry Skrypzak, president of Save Our Native Species of Lake Erie, shared stories of unusual sightings and pranks in the area. One such incident involved sightings of flying saucers at Presque Isle, which turned out to be a prank by children using cleaner bags with candles. Skrypzak co-authored a book about the history of Presque Isle, recounting a case where a „swamp monster“ terrorized canoe renters before being revealed as a man in a green suit.
Despite these odd occurrences, Lake Erie remains a fascinating and diverse ecosystem. With nearly 10,000 square miles of surface water, the lake continues to surprise with its array of wildlife. Whether it’s an invasive species like an alligator or a rare catch like the blue pike, the presence of these creatures serves as a reminder of the delicate balance of nature and the impact of human actions on the environment.
