Pacific Lamprey

Capturing a Pacific Lamprey on camera requires an underwater setup or a very specific bank-side placement near shallow stream crossings. If you live near a coastal or inland river in the Pacific Northwest, look for clear, shallow 'riffles' where the water is only a few inches deep over gravel. Position your camera on a waterproof tripod or a weighted mount on the riverbed, aiming it across the gravel bed during the spring spawning season. Because lampreys are primarily nocturnal, ensure your camera has high-quality infrared (IR) night vision to capture their movement without scaring them with white light.

For those using backyard creek cameras, look for natural bottlenecks in the stream, such as narrow passages between large rocks or the base of small waterfalls. Pacific Lampreys are famous for 'climbing' wet surfaces using their mouths; a camera angled at a damp, vertical rock face during a migration peak can yield incredible footage of this unique behavior. Avoid using bait, as migrating adults do not eat; instead, rely on identifying the physical signs of their presence, such as small circular depressions in the riverbed gravel where they have been moving stones.

If you are filming from above the water, use a circular polarizing filter on your lens to cut through the surface glare. This is essential for seeing into the water during the day, though most of your best footage will likely come from the night. Set your camera to video mode rather than stills, as the sinuous, eel-like swimming motion of the lamprey is its most distinguishing feature and is difficult to capture effectively in a single frame. Ensure your trigger sensitivity is high, as they can move surprisingly quickly through fast-moving water.