Roach with blackspot

[charliewag 19]

I fished newbiggin today for the first time in ages and had a decent day with a mixed bag of ide, skimmers, crucians and roach. However, a lot of the roach had blackspot. I mentioned it to an angler a couple of pegs away and he said the roach always get it in cooler weather and it disappears when it warms up. I fish other waters in the area and they don't have it so why only newbiggin? I must admit the roach were feeding well and didn't seem distressed.

Whether necessary or not, I've disinfected my landing net as a precaution for my next outing.

[chidorii 10]

I remember a few years ago nearly every roach I caught on the Rotherham canal had a few black spots. I presume because the parasite spends it's first few weeks in water snails an increase in water snails may provide a larger chance of black spot. Agree, it doesn't seem to bother the fish though.

[sheff 13 10]

The Roach in the Fortyfoot had black spots in the 90s the chap in the tackle shop in Boston told me it was a parasite so you're right chidorii.

[bisphamblade 10]

Black spot is rife in my local lake at the end of the street. it is a parasitic worm that lives in the fishes gut and from what i can make out it doesn't seem to bother the fish as i have caught many to specimen size (2 1/2lb mark). it is quite unsightly and it only seems to be affecting the roach. the bream and perch are clean but i obviously haven't caught them all so that isn't to say it doesn't. i always dip my net and tackle b4 i fish anywhere else just to be on the safe side but this is the only place ive seen the spot in a good while. i remember hillsborough park pond had an out break back in the late 80's and it didnt seem to harm them either.