Two years ago I kept a couple smallies from the crick I fish in. I cleaned them, and they all had worms. I haven't kept any scince then. My dad said it was probably the warm water. Is that why and is there anything else that would cause them to have worms?

I recently read an article on these worms. As I recall, they are NOT harmful to people if the fish is properly cooked, even though they look disguishing! I think the worms are common in Minnesota and maybe Wisconsin, but not in other parts of the country. I don't think they are particularly harmful to the fish, but maybe someone else can address this issue.

These worms or cysts are common in the ponds and streams of Okla,Ark,and Texas. I first noticed them in the late 60's. They show up in warmer water, as in July when the temps get hot.

I was told by an Ark. Game and Fish Dept. biologist that they are not harmful to humans if cooked properly. He also said they were spread to my new pond by the blue herons that visited. Needless to say the herons were no longer welcome guests at my pond.

i caught some perch a while back that had some worms in them.....

And here I was ready to suggest 10" worms at night for smallies! ;D ;D ;D

i've never cleaned a smallmouth before, what do these worms look like? are they parasites? anyone have pictures?

In the pictures I saw they looked like pepper; like pepper had been sprinkled all over the filets.

In the pictures I saw they looked like pepper; like pepper had been sprinkled all over the filets.

oh, I was expecting something from "Aliens" or tape worms or something like that.

From what I have read, becoming quite common in VA rivers.

I rarely keep any smallies.  Kept some last summer on the James and they didn't have any worms in them.

There was a guy on RiverSmallies last summer who kept a few from the Susquehanna.  Starting cleaning them and they were eaten up with them.  He tossed them to the cats.  That was a fun thread... :