Exploring the Possibility of Trout In the Mississippi River
In the United States, the Mississippi River is an iconic symbol of nature and recreation. Many people attempt to fish this major waterway in search of trout, however, the question remains: are there trout in the Mississippi River? By carefully examining the waterway itself and the difficult conditions that these fish face, it will be possible to make an educated guess.
Geographical Barriers
The Mississippi River is a large and winding river with a long, varied stretch of its course. In a boat, one can travel from the north of the country in Minnesota to the south in Louisiana. In many locations however, the water is too shallow, warm, and polluted for trout to survive. These areas are known as “fugitive waters,” oftentimes due to human intervention and pollutants.
In addition, the Mississippi River possesses a number of manmade dams which further block their ability to migrate upstream and down. These dams act as barriers that the trout cannot migrate through, preventing them from accessing different sections of the river system. Because of this, trout are typically confined to the upper stretches of the river, simply unable to move further downstream.
Lack of Suitable Habitat
The suitable areas for trout are small and scattered, making it difficult for them to relocate away from areas that no longer support healthy trout populations. While some stretches of the river still hold shallow and well-oxygenated water, many lack the abundant insect life and cooler temperatures that trout need to survive.
The overall lack of available food, shade, and cold water in much of the Mississippi River have caused trout to virtually disappear from most of the waterway. What’s more, the river’s strong waters have a tendency to wash away would-be habitats, including shallow silt beds and sunken logs.
Extirpation
Scientists believe that the primary predatory fish of the Mississippi River, the pike, are the cause of the near-total elimination of the trout. Overfishing and illegal harvesting of the pike has led to their population decline, while the trout will be unable to defend themselves against potential predators like the pike without the necessary population density.
Furthermore, trout larvae are especially vulnerable and are at risk of dying due to lack of suitable protection. This, in combination with the other mentioned factors and unfavorable water temperatures, have contributed to the trout’s extirpation from all except the uppermost stretches of the Mississippi River.
Human Impacts
The arrival of human beings on the scene marks one of the most significant impacts on the entire river. Rapid industrialization and urbanization have caused significant physical, chemical and thermal alterations of the river since the 19th century.
The introduction of pollutants, including mercury, zinc and chromium, has caused a drastic alteration of the overall water quality in the area. Not only harmful for the trout, these pollutants are also endangering to humans and other living species. Additionally, many of the habitats that the trout had adapted to, such as silt beds and sunken logs, have been severely impacted by human activities such as boat traffic and dams.
Restoration Efforts
Despite the dire situation, many areas of the Mississippi River are working toward bringing trout back. Since the 1960s, several conservation programs have been implemented in an attempt to return the species to its prior habitats. These initiatives include habitat improvement efforts, such as enhancing spawning habitat, and reintroduction.
The restoration of trout requires the coordination of both public and private entities, and is the focus of the Missouri National Recreational River, the only non-regulated length of the lower Mississippi River managed by the National Park Service. Other programs, such as the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, have been working to reintroduce trout back into the river.
Conclusion
Although trout had been lost from the Mississippi River, more and more areas are taking the steps to restore them and continue their population growth. With the help of human-led conservation efforts and a number of private initiatives, the reintroduction of trout to the Mississippi River is a distinct possibility.
