Rudd are an invasive that are present in large numbers in Seneca and other lakes including the Great Lakes. Similar, but not to be confused with the native Golden Shiner.Rudd.Golden shinerRudd are native to the Baltic countries . I'm not really sure how they got here, but most likely they were brought over as a food source. I'll say one thing though, they're a ball on the flyrod.Rg
I met a guy there at Seneca lake that sold his to the Chinese restaurant in Newark...that's all I caught that day
“Lab studies have shown that rudd hybridize with the golden shiner, which is a primary forage species for many game fish. If introduced, rudd will hybridize with golden shiners with unknown consequences to wild populations of native species. Besides hybridization, the rudd can be expected to compete with native fish for food. Being omnivorous, the rudd can changes its diet from insects and minnows to plants, unlike most native fishes. Rudd can negatively affect the inland waters it inhabits by: increasing the nutrient loading due to its inefficient means of processing plant material; depleting aquatic vegetation and potentially reducing the reproductive success of native fish species using near-shore areas for spawning and nursery sites; competing with native fish species for food and habitat in juvenile stages; and disrupting established predator prey relationships.”
To each his own Rg. What proof do you you have that they are not negatively affecting the water quality or the food chain? They’re an exotic and don’t belong in our waterways. Just like European or Asian carp, both of which are devestating to aquatic ecosystems. Bow fishermen are an anglers best friend.