Chesterwoods Bluegills/worms

During the past few years of fishing at Chesterwoods, I could not help but notice the Bluegills were loaded with those black pepper specks, worms.
I don’t know the scientific name, but I think it is the result of birds eating snails, crapping and the fish eat it? Or is it the other way around. The snails eat the birds………..
This was a turnoff to many. When I was a kid we thought nothing of it, fried em up and they disappeared.
Yesterday Mike/HOF and I participated in Tyler Holm’s UPLR out there.
We caught some fish but not enough to weigh in.
I did keep 8 medium sized gills to eat. 7-8 1/4.
I noticed right away that there were no specks in the dorsal fins, a sure sign they are infested and they will be in the flesh also.
Much to my pleasant surprise, nothing, none, zero specks in any of the fillets.
When the reservoir was first opened, these worms were very prevalent and virtually ever gill had them.
Don’t misunderstand, I don’t miss them, but can’t help what happened, just a cycle or maybe something permanent?

I bet you guys had a blast fishing though with the reports I have been hearing. Were alot of crappies caught? You guys got any fish pics to share? [hint hint]

Thanks, Bill

Bill I managed one crappie, about 10 inches. No others.
Pictures? We didn’t have anything big enough that the camera could pickup.
There were others that did catch some and from a couple we saw, they were not bad fish.

I’m pretty sure they’re a fluke(a type of parasite), and are an intermediate stage of a blue heron parasite. And they cycle, just like any other organism.

last time i was out there (this spring) maybe april and i kept 5 to eat and they all had the specs so i couldn’t tell ya