The eggs of the American brook lamprey (ABL) are white, sticky, and small, measuring about 1 mm (0.04 in).

In Ohio, older ammocoetes have a dark yellow band which runs the entire dorsal surface, as well as pigmentation in the caudal fin.

[5] Ammocoetes of ABL feed on algae and detritus for between three and seven years, before they metamorphose into sexually mature adult fish.

Metamorphosis takes place in the late summer and early fall, with adults ready to spawn at the end of winter when spring temperatures are appropriate for egg development (~15 °C).

The male(s), aided by a female(s), construct small nests by picking up pebbles with its mouth and moving them to form the rims of a shallow depression.