I've had gams from day 1, and there are no negatives that I have seen. I use them for bait, and have caught just about every species in Louisiana with them.

They're not a problem for spawning in my pond. No way they could get to any fish eggs. They occupy and feed in very shallow water along the banks. They know if they go into water greater than 6" deep, their life expectancy is 10 seconds. I don't think any of my fish spawn in water that shallow. (LMB, BG, RES, BC)

The BG, BC, and LMB wait patiently by shallow areas waiting for the gams to venture out. When they do, they get hammered. (sorry Jeff).