This lamprey inhabits two Vancouver Island lakes. It spawns in gravel areas where the water is shallow and travels up creeks occasionally, remaining near the mouth where the creeks drain into the lake.

This cylinder-shaped fish is blue-black or dark brown, with lighter underparts. Its mouth (or funnel) and tongue are filled with sharp teeth. The Vancouver lamprey has small eyes located high on its head; two dorsal fins, a small caudal fin, and a low anal fin. The Vancouver lamprey can be distinguished from other species of lamprey because of its large, oral, disc-like mouth. The species is at least 300 million years old, making it one of the most primitive and successful fishes in the world.