2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 217-224-8580 |
There are more than 150 species of fish present in the Mississippi River. Gizzard shad, common carp, and emerald shiner are the three most common species found river-wide; about 50 other species are very common in certain pools or reaches. The Upper Mississippi River still hosts most of the species that were present historically, but the abundance and distribution of some species has declined dramatically in the last 100 years due to loss of habitat. Some of the causes of these changes are dam construction that blocks fish movement up and down river, flood control levees that keep fish out of their historic spawning habitat, and sedimentation that covers gravel bars, fills wetlands and reduces deepwater habitat.
The recent introduction of several invasive species of Asian carp (bighead, silver, and grass) to the system has added a new assault to the aquatic resources of the Upper Mississippi River. Fisheries biologists believe that these species may be more threatening than the common carp because they compete more directly with native fish and mussels for food and habitat.
Mussels
Freshwater mussels are typically found buried in the river bottom in groups containing several different species with similar habitat requirements. Many require flowing water and coarse gravelly substrate, although some survive well in silty lake-like conditions found in backwaters. Mussels serve as good indicators of ecosystem health because they live a long time, stay in one place, and depend on good water quality to survive. They also need fish in order to complete their life cycle. In the past, freshwater mussels were heavily harvested to make buttons; today they are valuable in the cultured pearl industry.
Many mussel species in the Upper Mississippi River are declining due to sedimentation, poor water quality, and the introduction of invasive zebra mussels. Historically, 51 species of freshwater mussels lived in the UMRS; 44 have been found in mussel surveys conducted in the last 35 years. Three species historically present in the Mark Twain reach of the river are now federally listed as endangered: Higgins eye, fat pocketbook, and winged mapleleaf. The scaleshell is a candidate for listing.
Fish
Legend
The following list contains over 100 species that have been observed on the refuge.
E = Endangered
T = Threatened
(F) = Federally Threatened or Endangered
(IA) = Iowa Threatened or Endangered
(IL) = Illinois Threatened or Endangered
(MO) = Missouri Threatened or Endangered
Bass Family
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Bass, Striped
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Bass, White
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Bass, Yellow
Bowfin Family
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Bowfin
Catfish Family
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Bullhead, Black
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Bullhead, Brown
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Bullhead, Yellow
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Catfish, Blue
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Catfish, Channel
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Catfish, Flathead
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Madtom, Freckled E (IA)
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Madtom, Tadpole
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Stonecat
Cod Family
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Burbot T (IA)
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Perch, Pirate
Drums
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Drum, Freshwater
Eels
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Eel, American
Gar
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Gar, Longnose
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Gar, Shortnose
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Gar, Spotted
Herring Family
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Herring, Skipjack
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Shad, Gizzard
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Shad, Threadfin
Killifish Family
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Topminnow, Blackstripe
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Topminnow, Starhead
Lampreys
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Lamprey, Chestnut T (IA)
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Lamprey, Silver
Minnows
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Carp, Bighead
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Carp, Common
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Carp, Grass
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Chub, Creek
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Chub, Flathead E (MO)
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Chub, Sicklefin E (IL)
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Chub, Silver
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Chub, Speckled
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Chub, Sturgeon E (IL)
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Dace, Southern Redbelly
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Goldfish
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Minnow, Bluntnose
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Minnow, Bullhead
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Minnow, Fathead
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Minnow, Mississippi Silvery
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Minnow, Plains
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Minnow, Pugnose
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Minnow, Suckermouth
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Minnow, Western Silvery
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Shiner, Emerald
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Shiner, Ghost
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Shiner, Golden
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Shiner, Mimic
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Shiner, Pallid
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Shiner, Red
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Shiner, River
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Shiner, Sand
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Shiner, Silverband
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Shiner, Spotfin
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Shiner, Spottail
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Shiner, Weed E (IA, IL)
Mooneye Family
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Goldeye
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Mooneye
Mosquitofish
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Mosquitofish, Western
Mudminnows
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Mudminnow, Central E (MO)
Paddlefish
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Paddlefish
Perch Family
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Darter, Bluntnose E (IA)
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Darter, Crystal E (MO)
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Darter, Iowa E (IL)
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Darter, Johnny
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Darter, Mud
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Darter, River
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Darter, Slenderhead
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Darter, Western Sand T (IL)
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Logperch
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Perch, Yellow
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Sauger
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Walleye
Pike Family
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Muskellunge
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Pickeral, Grass T (IA)
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Pike, Northern
Silversides
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Silverside, Brook
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Silverside, Inland
Sturgeons
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Sturgeon, Lake E (IA, IL, MO)
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Sturgeon, Pallid E (F, IA, IL, MO)
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Sturgeon, Shovelnose
Stickelbacks
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Stickelback, Brook
Suckers
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Buffalo, Bigmouth
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Buffalo, Black
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Buffalo, Smallmouth
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Carpsucker, Highfin
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Carpsucker, River
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Quillback
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Redhorse, Golden
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Redhorse, Shorthead
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Redhorse, Silver T (IL)
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Sucker, Blue
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Sucker, Spotted
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Sucker, White
Sunfish Family
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Bass, Largemouth
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Bass, Rock
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Bass, Smallmouth
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Bluegill
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Crappie, Black
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Crappie, White
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Pumpkinseed
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Sunfish, Green
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Sunfish, Orangespotted
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Warmouth
Trout-perch
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Trout-perch