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Scioto
River
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P. O. Box 1501 |
| MISSION: To preserve and protect the Scioto River for future generations | ||
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Stream FishFishing has been a very important activity on the Scioto River for centuries. Numerous sport fish such as white crappie, rock bass, bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish, saugeye and Ohio's state fish, the Smallmouth Bass, all call this river home. More than 162 species of fish are in Ohio streams, most of which are never
caught or seen by fishermen. Some are huge, but most are small. Most are
minnows, suckers and darters. Some live only in small Darters and PerchDarters and perch have two dorsal fins - the first with spines and the second without - and etenoid scales. While most Ohioans are familiar with yellow perch, walleye and sauger, few have seen the 22 species of small darters that also live in streams. Rainbow, bluebreast, slenderhead and orangethroat are but a few of the descriptive names given to these brilliantly colored fishes. The presence of darters usually indicates good stream quality. MinnowsMinnows have abdominal pelvic fins, one dorsal fin and no true spines, and teeth in the throat. Most minnows are less than seven inches long, live in schools and feed on insects and other small invertebrates. They are a food source for fish, turtles, snakes, mammals and birds. More than 43 species of minnows live in Ohio streams. BowfinsBowfins are a primitive fish that date back to the Jurassic Period. Bowfin have a long dorsal fin, heterocercal tail, lung-like gas bladder, and a large bony throat plate. CatfishCatfish have four pairs of barbels, no scales and stout spines at the base of Freshwater EelsFreshwater eels are a snake-like fish that spawn in the ocean, but migrate into
brackish and freshwater to mature into adults. Some female American SuckersSuckers are soft rayed fishes with throat teeth that feed predominantly on invertebrates. Suckers are some of the most common stream species. Most adults are over 12 inches long. Some species are more than two feet long and weigh over 20 pounds. Nineteen species exist in Ohio streams. Similar species of suckers include the redhorses, carpsuckers, and buffalos.
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brooks
while others live in large rivers. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and
colors. Most are reliable indicators of stream quality and are far more
abundant than you might imagine.
their dorsal and pectoral fins. Most Ohioans are familiar with bullheads,
channel catfish, and flatheads, but few are aware of the madtoms that rarely
exceed three inches in length. Thirteen species have been collected from Ohio
streams, however, the Scioto madtom has not been captured since 1957.
eels
(Ohio's only species) have to swim over 3,000 miles to reach Ohio and return to
the sea to spawn. Dams have caused this species to decline in Ohio.
P. O. Box 1501