Rainbow Darter Rainbow Darter Etheostoma caeruleumEtheostoma caeruleum

Sauger (Sauger (Stizostedian Stizostedian

canadensecanadense))

ByBy

Curt KemmererCurt Kemmerer

http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/sau-card.html

IdentificationIdentification Olive-gray on back, 3-4 dark saddlesOlive-gray on back, 3-4 dark saddles White bellyWhite belly Dorsal fin completely dividedDorsal fin completely divided 2-3 rows of black dots on anterior dorsal 2-3 rows of black dots on anterior dorsal

finfin Large, glossy eyes…sharp teethLarge, glossy eyes…sharp teeth

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fishing/aquanotes-fishid/sauger.htm

Similar SpeciesSimilar Species

http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/differnt.html

DistributionDistribution

http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/sauger.html

Iowa• Border rivers and lower reaches of their tributaries

Habitat DietHabitat Diet Large, turbid, Large, turbid,

slow moving slow moving riversrivers

Large, cool lakesLarge, cool lakes Move near Move near

bottombottom Bottom Bottom

vegetationvegetation Instream Instream

structurestructure

Primarily fishPrimarily fish Aquatic Aquatic

invertebratesinvertebrates Juveniles feed on Juveniles feed on

larvae and larvae and zooplanktonzooplankton

http://www.enature.com/

ReproductionReproduction Moves to smaller tributary streams to spawnMoves to smaller tributary streams to spawn Spawn at night during April and May Spawn at night during April and May Female deposits 32,000 to 83,000 eggs, Female deposits 32,000 to 83,000 eggs,

scattered across bottomscattered across bottom Eggs hatch in 7 to 18 daysEggs hatch in 7 to 18 days No parental care given to youngNo parental care given to young

http://www.fisheries.org/AFSmontana/SSCpages/Sauger%20Status.htm

Conservation StatusConservation Status Abundant in border riversAbundant in border rivers Sport fish statusSport fish status

Daily bag limits and possession limitsDaily bag limits and possession limits

Economic/Recreational ImportanceEconomic/Recreational Importance Very popular sport fishes among anglersVery popular sport fishes among anglers Highly valued species = $$$ for IowaHighly valued species = $$$ for Iowa

Ecological ImportanceEcological Importance Important predator speciesImportant predator species Prey species to larger predators (muskie, pike)Prey species to larger predators (muskie, pike) Tolerant of turbid, somewhat polluted waterTolerant of turbid, somewhat polluted water

ReferencesReferences eNature.com. 2004. The Sauger. Available at eNature.com. 2004. The Sauger. Available at

http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesGS.asp?http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesGS.asp?sort=1&curGroupID=99&display=1&area=99&searchText=sauger&csort=1&curGroupID=99&display=1&area=99&searchText=sauger&curPageNum=1&recnum=FI0250.urPageNum=1&recnum=FI0250.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 1987. IowaDNR Fish and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 1987. IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. Available at Fishing. Available at http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/sau-http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/sau-card.html.card.html.

Montana Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit. January 2004. Montana Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit. January 2004. Available at Available at http://www.fisheries.org/AFSmontana/SSCpages/Saugerhttp://www.fisheries.org/AFSmontana/SSCpages/Sauger%20Status.htm.%20Status.htm.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 2004. Life History Notes: Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 2004. Life History Notes: Sauger. Available at Sauger. Available at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fishing/aquanotes-fishid/sauger.hhttp://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fishing/aquanotes-fishid/sauger.htm.tm.

Stewart, T. W. 2004. Fishes known from Story County and nearby Stewart, T. W. 2004. Fishes known from Story County and nearby areas (with identification notes). Unpublished document provided areas (with identification notes). Unpublished document provided by T. W. Stewart, Department of Natural Resources Ecology and by T. W. Stewart, Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010.Management, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010.

WalleyeWalleyeStizostedion vitreumStizostedion vitreum

blue pike, dore, dory, glass-eye, gray pike, green blue pike, dore, dory, glass-eye, gray pike, green pike, jack, jackfish, jack salmon, marble-eye, pike, jack, jackfish, jack salmon, marble-eye,

pickerel, pike, pike-perch, sauger, Susquchanna pickerel, pike, pike-perch, sauger, Susquchanna salmon, walleyed perch, walleyed pickerel, salmon, walleyed perch, walleyed pickerel,

walleyed pike, white eye, yellow pickerel, yellow walleyed pike, white eye, yellow pickerel, yellow pike perchpike perch

Jessica FranckJessica Franck

Oklahoma Department ofWildlife Conservation

IdentificationIdentification

• Large, white eyes

• Brassy, olive buff coloring with no distinct bars, just an overall brown or black mottling

•19-22 dorsal fin soft rays

• 12-14 anal fin soft rays

•Sparsely scaled cheeks •Well-developed teeth •Current Iowa record is 80 cm (31.5 in), 6.4 kg (14 lbs 2 oz) from Spirit Lake, 1968

Stizostedion vitreumStizostedion vitreum Distribution & HabitatDistribution & Habitat

• Iowa natural lakes

• Major interior rivers like Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar, Wapsipinicon

• Great border rivers

• Large, clear, cool waterbodies with gravel and sandy substrate

Winter depths

Summer depths

Walleye Committee (data for VA)

IA DNR

Stizostedion vitreumStizostedion vitreum

DietDiet

• planktonic organisms

• cladocerans and immature aquatic insects

• small fishes, minnows, yellow perch, suckers, and bluegill

• adults pscivirous, especially gizzard shad

• some reports of frogs, crayfish, and snails

Stizostedion vitreumStizostedion vitreum

ReproductionReproduction

Sexual maturity: males 2-4 years, Sexual maturity: males 2-4 years, females 3-5 yearsfemales 3-5 years

Move to spawning ground when Move to spawning ground when water temperature 7-10C (45-50F)water temperature 7-10C (45-50F)

Shallow water with rubble or Shallow water with rubble or gravel bottomgravel bottom

Up to 495,000 eggs based on Up to 495,000 eggs based on weightweight

No parental careNo parental care Incubation around two weeksIncubation around two weeks

Walleye fry, Maryland DNR

Stizostedion vitreumStizostedion vitreum Importance & Conservation StatusImportance & Conservation Status

Big predator of Big predator of gizzard shadgizzard shad

One of N. America’s One of N. America’s top game speciestop game species

Very tastyVery tasty Easy propagation in Easy propagation in

hatcherieshatcheries Still being stocked Still being stocked

in many IA watersin many IA waters

LARGE CANADIAN ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS

ReferencesReferences Maryland Department of Natural Resources. January 2001. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. January 2001.

Walleye. Walleye. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/walleye/walleye.html. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/walleye/walleye.html. November 2004.November 2004.

Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and FishingIowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department . Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Walleye Committee. April 2001. Walleye Walleye Committee. April 2001. Walleye http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/special_programs/walleye.pdf. http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/special_programs/walleye.pdf. November 2004. November 2004.

Yellow PerchYellow PerchPerca flavescensPerca flavescens

Family PercidaeFamily Percidae

Luke BragerLuke Brager

Perca flavescensPerca flavescensIdentificationIdentification

Compressed body shapeCompressed body shape 6-8 dark vertical bands on 6-8 dark vertical bands on

sidessides ½ to ¾ lbs avg. ½ to ¾ lbs avg.

Up to 1 or 2 lbs. (Jumbo)Up to 1 or 2 lbs. (Jumbo) Bright green to olive on Bright green to olive on

dorsal regiondorsal region Yellow on sidesYellow on sides White on bottomWhite on bottom Separated dorsal finSeparated dorsal fin

First is spiny; First is spiny; Second is soft raysSecond is soft rays

Richard T. Bryant

Native Fish Conservancy

Perca flavescensPerca flavescensComparisonComparison

OH DNR Sauger

Virgil Beck Yellow Perch

Perca flavescensPerca flavescensRangeRange

Native to northern Native to northern states east of Rocky states east of Rocky MountainsMountains

Atlantic coastal Atlantic coastal regions south to regions south to South CarolinaSouth Carolina

Range extends off the Range extends off the U.S. map to N.W. into U.S. map to N.W. into CanadaCanada

David Etnier

Perca flavescensPerca flavescens HabitatHabitat

Streams and lakesStreams and lakes Prefer quiet water habitatsPrefer quiet water habitats Associated with rooted aquatic Associated with rooted aquatic

macrophytesmacrophytes Adapt to variety of habitats and water Adapt to variety of habitats and water

temperaturestemperatures School usually at less than thirty feet in School usually at less than thirty feet in

depthdepth

Perca flavescensPerca flavescensDietDiet

PiscivorousPiscivorous Larvae forage on Larvae forage on

zooplanktonzooplankton After several months, yoy After several months, yoy

eat other small fishes eat other small fishes Shad Shad Aquatic invertebratesAquatic invertebrates CannibalisticCannibalistic WormsWorms Feed year longFeed year long

Perca flavescensPerca flavescensReproductionReproduction

March to MayMarch to May Vegetation to submerged brushVegetation to submerged brush Sand and gravel shorelinesSand and gravel shorelines Males move in first & wait for larger females to Males move in first & wait for larger females to

arrivearrive Produce >100,000 eggsProduce >100,000 eggs Eggs attached in long gelatatinous strands Eggs attached in long gelatatinous strands

clinging to underwater objectsclinging to underwater objects Eggs hatch in 8 – 25 days dependent on water Eggs hatch in 8 – 25 days dependent on water

temptemp

Perca flavescensPerca flavescensConservation StatusConservation Status

No federal or state special protection No federal or state special protection status for status for Perca flavescensPerca flavescens

Lower Great Lakes commercial fisheryLower Great Lakes commercial fishery 11.3 million lbs Yellow perch Lake Erie 198111.3 million lbs Yellow perch Lake Erie 1981 Lake Michigan yields avg. 2.2 million lbs/yearLake Michigan yields avg. 2.2 million lbs/year Lake Michigan Perch yields decreased 80% Lake Michigan Perch yields decreased 80%

since 1990since 1990 WI banned commercial fishing Lake Michigan WI banned commercial fishing Lake Michigan

& cut daily limit for hook/line fishing to 5/day& cut daily limit for hook/line fishing to 5/day

ReferencesReferences Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Yellow Perch. Available at :Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Yellow Perch. Available at :

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/3jyperch.htmhttp://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/3jyperch.htm

All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. Yellow Perch. Available at: All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. Yellow Perch. Available at: http://www.http://www.discoverlifeinamericadiscoverlifeinamerica.org/.org/atbiatbi/species/animals/vertebrates/fish//species/animals/vertebrates/fish/PercidaePercidae/P_/P_flaflavescensvescens.html.html

Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Yellow Perch. Available at : Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Yellow Perch. Available at : http://www.http://www.dnrdnr.state..state.mdmd.us/fisheries/education/.us/fisheries/education/yellowperchyellowperch//yperchyperch

.html.html

Identification: Identification: Olive to yellow-green dorsally; blue-green ventrally; encircled by 8-11 dark Olive to yellow-green dorsally; blue-green ventrally; encircled by 8-11 dark blue-green bands; posterior areas between bands are red to orange; first dorsal fin blue-green bands; posterior areas between bands are red to orange; first dorsal fin reddish with dark blue border; second dorsal and caudal reddish with narrow blue reddish with dark blue border; second dorsal and caudal reddish with narrow blue border; 13 pectoral rays; unscaled cheek; reaches length of 7.7 cm.border; 13 pectoral rays; unscaled cheek; reaches length of 7.7 cm.

Similar Species:Similar Species:

Rainbow Darter: unscaled cheek; breast Rainbow Darter: unscaled cheek; breast naked;13 pectoral rays; no teardrop.naked;13 pectoral rays; no teardrop.

Iowa Darter: fully scaled cheek; breast Iowa Darter: fully scaled cheek; breast partly scaled; more slender; long partly scaled; more slender; long caudal peduncle; teardrop present.caudal peduncle; teardrop present.

Orangethroat Darter: 11-12 pectoral rays; Orangethroat Darter: 11-12 pectoral rays; teardrop present.teardrop present.

Mud Darter: fully scaled cheek; breast Mud Darter: fully scaled cheek; breast naked; teardrop present.naked; teardrop present.

Distribution: Distribution: most prevalent in NE Iowa; most prevalent in NE Iowa; with isolated populations spread with isolated populations spread throughout the state (South Skunk and throughout the state (South Skunk and Skunk).Skunk).

Habitat: Habitat: riffles of clear creeks and small to riffles of clear creeks and small to medium rivers over cobble or gravel.medium rivers over cobble or gravel.

Diet: Diet: Young of the year mostly consume Young of the year mostly consume zooplankton (Cladocera, Copepoda, zooplankton (Cladocera, Copepoda, etc.). As growth increases the diet is etc.). As growth increases the diet is mainly comprised of aquatic insects, mainly comprised of aquatic insects, fish eggs, and fish larvae. As adults fish eggs, and fish larvae. As adults their feeding behavior resembles that their feeding behavior resembles that of a sport fish by becoming of a sport fish by becoming opportunistic feeders. Cladocerans, opportunistic feeders. Cladocerans, Copepods, a range aquatic insects, Copepods, a range aquatic insects, small minnows, fish eggs, amphibians, small minnows, fish eggs, amphibians, small crayfish, and lamprey small crayfish, and lamprey ammocoetes have all been found in ammocoetes have all been found in the stomach contents of rainbow the stomach contents of rainbow darters. darters.

Reproduction: Reproduction: occurs when temperatures occurs when temperatures get above 15get above 15°C; males defend 12-°C; males defend 12-30cm diameter areas from intruding 30cm diameter areas from intruding males; however, the largest, and most males; however, the largest, and most colorful males get the most action; colorful males get the most action; upon mating there is no parental care, upon mating there is no parental care, and rainbow darter larvae have been and rainbow darter larvae have been observed migrating to smallmouth observed migrating to smallmouth bass nests to be guarded as if they bass nests to be guarded as if they were their own.were their own.

Conservation Status: Conservation Status: Considered Considered common in the Mississippi River basin, common in the Mississippi River basin, and of moderate abundance in the and of moderate abundance in the streams and rivers of NE Iowa.streams and rivers of NE Iowa.

Ecological Importance: Predator and Ecological Importance: Predator and Prey; located in the middle of the Prey; located in the middle of the food web as a primary consumer; food web as a primary consumer; eats anything smaller than itself, eats anything smaller than itself, and is consumed by many and is consumed by many secondary consumers.secondary consumers.

ReferencesReferences

Becker, G.C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press. Madison, Becker, G.C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press. Madison, Wisconsin. p801-808.Wisconsin. p801-808.

Fishbase, A Global Information System on Fishes. Available at Fishbase, A Global Information System on Fishes. Available at http://www.fishbase.se/home.htmhttp://www.fishbase.se/home.htm Nov. 2004. Nov. 2004.

Gilbert, C.R. and J.D. Williams. 2002. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes, Gilbert, C.R. and J.D. Williams. 2002. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes, Revised Ed., North America. Knopf, New York. p349-352.Revised Ed., North America. Knopf, New York. p349-352.

Google Images. Available at Google Images. Available at http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&qhttp://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&q= Oct. 2004.= Oct. 2004.

Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew. 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew. 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Des Moines, Iowa. P146-147.Department of Natural Resources. Des Moines, Iowa. P146-147.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa DNR Fish and Fishing. available at Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa DNR Fish and Fishing. available at http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/index.htmlhttp://www.iowadnr.com/fish/index.html Oct. 2004. Oct. 2004.

Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr. 1991. Petersen Field Guides, Freshwater Fishes. Houghton Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr. 1991. Petersen Field Guides, Freshwater Fishes. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.Mifflin, Boston.