Exploring the waters of the Mississippi River, you’ll quickly find an array of fish to marvel at and consider as you explore the waterways. While most of the fish in the Mississippi River are seasonal, there’s a wide variety that thrive in the Mississippi’s waters throughout the year.
Sauger
The sauger is a member of the perch family and is a close relative of the walleye. It can be found in the Mississippi River and its tributaries and is considered a game fish due to its delicious taste. Sauger have a rather slender body and can grow to between 10 and 20 inches and it can weigh up to 6 pounds. Sauger feed mostly on crayfish, bugs and small fish.
Catfish
The catfish is also prevalent in the Mississippi River and its tributaries as both a game and non-game fish. It has a long body and comes in both white and brown varieties. Catfish can grow in size up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 80 pounds or more. Catfish have a notorious reputation for being bottom feeders but they actually feed on a variety of foods.
Bass
Bass are a game fish native to the Mississippi River, and can be found throughout the length of the river. Bass generally feed on baitfish, crawfish, and smaller insects and can grow up to 15 inches long. Bass can make a difficult challenge for anglers to catch due to their agility, speed and strength.
Perch
The yellow perch is a small fish found in the Mississippi that can grow up to 10 inches in length and weigh just over one pound. Its color ranges from yellow to green to brown with dark vertical stripes along its sides. Perch feed on small aquatic insect larvae, mollusks, and small crustaceans.
Bullhead
The bullhead, also known as the horned pout, is a bottom-feeder native to the Mississippi River. It is distinguishable by its long, smooth, rounded head and wide fins. Bullhead can grow up to 14 inches in length and are omnivorous and will feed on almost anything it can find.
Gar
The longnose gar is a member of the gar family and is native to the waters of the Mississippi river. It can grow up to four feet in length and can weigh up to 15 pounds. Gar are distinguishable by their long, cylindrical bodies and long snouts. They feed mostly on fish and small crustaceans and have been known to survive in water with low oxygen levels.
Hockeye
The hockeye is a game fish native to the Mississippi River that can grow up to 18 inches and weigh up to 6 pounds. It has an elongated body, typically found in shades of green, brown and yellow. Hockeye feed mostly on small fish, shrimp and insect larvae.
Tailwater Darter
The tailwater darter, also known as the gravel chub, is a species of small fish native to the Mississippi River. It typically grows up to seven inches in length and inhabits the tailwaters of the Mississippi. The tailwater darter feed on small insects and aquatic invertebrates.
Muskellunge
The muskellunge, also known as the muskie, is one of the most popular game fish found in the Mississippi. It is distinguishable by its long body and towering dorsal fin. Muskellunges commonly weigh over 10 pounds and can grow up to 40 inches in length. Muskellunges are predatory fish, and they feed on smaller fish, frogs, and crayfish.
Geographic Variability
The fish found in the Mississippi River vary in size and type depending on the geographical area of the river. There are usually bigger, more aggressive types of fish found in the deeper, calmer areas and smaller, more docile varieties in the shallow, turbulent areas.
Environmental Variability
The fish found in the Mississippi River also vary depending on the surrounding environment. Pollution from nearby industry or water quality can dictate the types of fish found in the local environment. Fish can also be affected by changes in the river caused by drought or other extreme conditions.
Human Interference
Finally, human interference can have an impact on the fish found in the Mississippi River as well. Depending on the area, fishing, hunting and other recreational activities can contribute to a decrease in the population of fish in a given area. This can change the dynamic of the river and affect the types of fish that are found.
Regulation and Conservation
The government has strongly enacted several regulations to help preserve the fish population in the Mississippi River. For example, the Clean Water Act has been instrumental in ensuring that the Mississippi River and its tributaries have safe water quality for fish to survive. Additionally, fishing regulations have been put in place to prevent over-fishing and promote healthy fish populations.
Conclusion
The variety of fish species in the Mississippi River is a testament to the diversity of life found in the world’s rivers and other aquatic habitats. Understanding this variety is important for the continued conservation and protection of our waterways.
