I havent seen any mudpuppies in a while- I usued to see them when we used to smelt fish on lake Michigan in the Middle of Chicago, believe it or not.
I have not taken any photos, for it was always late at night and very dark and cold,April at night, plus i was younger. Being the nature person I had to explain to all the ignorant fisherman not to kill the mudpuppy and they are not poison. I had to only have been 12 or something last time we went. Since they rehabbed that part of Chicago, I dont think people are allowed to smelt fish there anymore.
Where i work at, they were telling me they have done surveys in my special spot and their populations is doing well. Very intersting spot, one would not think they would live there, but they do. I have written a few things, before you came along, in the species area seeing if anyone had data of mudpuppy in great lakes region. My dad still laughs at me for getting pet axolotl because they are just "silly muddpuppies". My dad has seen lots of mudpuppies in his day. I will have to ask him where he saw some, he used to fish a lot.
Anyways, where they live is very very rocky. Like the rocks used for landfil and a bit of a break wall, concrete chunks and whatnot also. It is clearly visible what is down there due to zebra mussles. So if you ever go to Chicago, you can look into the water here. Maybe you will see one? Probably not, i have only seen them there when people were fishing at night.
There are others, but this is the spot I have always seen them. They have a better idea of distribution at work than i do.
I am not shy aboutposting where i have seen them, this spot is patrolled and you will get arrest for going in the water there. Usually the waves and current are strong and there are rocks, so if you fall in you might die, or get beat up.
