Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery

Sturgeon Bay, Wis. (October 23, 2025) – In the month-long run-up to Halloween, Crossroads at Big Creek has celebrated traditional “spooky” creatures—bats, owls, and vultures. Though these animals have long been associated with evil in folklore, they are actually beneficial predators that do enormous good for the environment.

But this week, our focus shifts to a truly menacing creature—one that really is destructive and anything but beneficial: the Sea Lamprey!

As part of our Fish Tales Series, Crossroads will offer two free showings of the award-winning documentary Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery on Thursday, November 6, at 6:30 PM and again at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 7.

According to the film’s promotional material, Fish Thief “uncovers the mystery behind the near disappearance of the most prized fish in the Great Lakes—the largest freshwater eco-system on Earth. This ecological collapse devastated jobs, businesses, towns, tribal communities, and First Nations across Canada and the United States.

While overfishing, dam construction, and industrial pollution had already taken a toll, fish began vanishing even in remote areas. Scientists eventually discovered the culprit: the most destructive aquatic invader ever to enter the Great Lakes—the Sea Lamprey. Their relentless efforts to control this invasive species continue to shape the region’s economic future and serve as a global warning about the sustainability of natural resources.”

Each screening will be followed by a live Q&A featuring: Lindsey Haskin, Film Director, Andrea Miehls, Communications Associate, Great Lakes Commission, Lee Haasch, Algoma Charter Captain and Dennis Hickey, Baileys Harbor Commercial Fisherman

Admission is free, but space is limited. To reserve your ticket, visit the Crossroads at Big Creek website: www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org

As an added attraction, visitors can view a live Sea Lamprey on display! This primitive, eel-like fish lacks jaws, scales, and even bones—but it has a circular mouth lined with razor-sharp teeth. Using its suction-cup mouth, a lamprey latches onto fish to feed on their blood and body fluids. A lamprey literally sucks the life out of other fishes. So the 1950s, Sea Lamprey populations had decimated Lake Trout, Whitefish, and Chub, causing a massive collapse of Great Lakes ecosystems.

Other programs this week include Saturday Science: “Hexagons”, the Monday afternoon Master Gardeners’ “Growing Together” Series, featuring a webinar on establishing Bee Lawns, and Environmental Exploration afterschool on Tuesday will include games and activities about Food Webs

Crossroads at Big Creek offers these programs and open our trails to all, every day, free of charge thanks to the generosity of donors and supporting foundations.

Saturday, November 1, 2:00 Science Saturday: Hexagons This multi-media, hands-on activity, participants will learn why the hexagon is so special.  Geared for elementary and middle school students but learners of all ages are welcome. Meet in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, November 3, 1:30 PM – Master Gardeners Learning Together The community is invited to join the Master Gardeners for a viewing of a pre-recorded webinar on “Bee Lawns.” Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, November 4, 2:00 PM – Environmental Exploration: Food Webs This after-school program will demonstrate how the Sun’s energy—captured by plants—moves through the food web. Geared for students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, November 5, 1:30 PM – Wandering Wednesday This naturalist-led hike visits interesting areas in each season. Easy walking, about an hour. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Thursday, November 7, 6:00 PM – Movie Premiere: The Fish Thief This Fish Tales special reveals the mystery behind how and why one of the most prized fish species nearly disappeared. Free, but reservations are required. A Q&A will follow the presentation. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Friday, November 8, 1:00 PM – Movie Premiere: The Fish Thief This Fish Tales special reveals the mystery behind how and why one of the most prized fish species nearly disappeared. Free, but reservations are required. A Q&A will follow the presentation. Visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org for more information and to reserve your ticket.