7
-A REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA, BASED UPON OBSERVATIONS
AND COLLECTIONS MADE DURING 1889, 1890, AND 1891.
BY SETH EUGENE MEEK.
INTRODUCTION.
In August, 1881, Dr. David S. Jordan, now of Palo Alto, California, accompanied
by the writer, made a collection of fishes in the southern part of Iowa in the interest
of the IT. S. Fish Commission and the U. S. National Museum. This was practically
the first step taken toward a comprehensive study of the ichthyological features of
Iowa. The work was not, however, resumed until 1 889, when, under the direction of
the U. S. Fish Commissioner, the writer began an exhaustive examination of all the
streams and lakes within the borders of the State. This investigation was continued
until July, 1891, and the present paper is based upon the collections and observations
made during that period of about two and a half years.
In the conduct of my field work I have been placed under many obligations to Mr.
C. J. Ives, president of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, and to
Mr. Joseph White, superintendent of the water supply of the same corporation, for
special facilities in the way of transportation and for other favors, which have enabled
me to extend my studies beyond the limit of means at my disposal. Valuable assist-
ance has been received from Prof. R. E. Call, of Des Moines; from Prof. Osborn, of
Ames, and from Prof. C. C. Nutting, of Iowa City, who have also obtained for me the
privilege of examining the collections of fishes belonging to the respective institutions
with which they are connected. I am also greatly indebted to Mr. B. F. Shaw, for-
merly State fish commissioner, and to Dr. DavidS. Jordan andProf. Charles H. Gilbert,
the latter especially for their kind assistance in regard to the identification of rare
and difficult species. Prof. Percy B. Burnett, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and my students,
Mr. W. T. Jackson and Mr. E. P. Boynton, have rendered efficient services in connec-
tion with the field expeditions, the first mentioned having accompanied me during
much of the summer of 1890.
Iowa has a comparatively level surface over its entire extent, being nowhere trav-
ersed by mountain ranges and having no pronounced hills except in the northeastern
part. In this corner of the State the hills and cliffs sometimes attain an elevation of
over 300 feet above the general level of the surrounding country, but being products
217
218 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
of erosion they never extend far back from the Mississippi River. The surface rises
gradually, however, from the southern and eastern borders toward the northern and
western, the least elevation above the sea being about 450 feet, and the greatest about
1,500 feet. Iowa is near the center of the best agricultural portion of the country,
and the soil, which is from 1 to 2 feet thick on the uplands, becomes very much deeper
in the depressions and bottom lands. This soil consists of finely comminuted material,
generally strewn with scattered bowlders or rock fragments. Most of the State is
undulating or rolling prairie. Rone of its surface is heavily timbered, and the greater
part of the timber land which does occur is confined to the borders of the streams.
The prairie was originally covered with a dense growth of prairie grass and her-
baceous plants, which tended to produce a stiff sod. During heavy rains this sod
absorbed the water, preventing its direct flow into the rivers, and it reached the latter
chiefly by slowly filtering through the soil. The streams were thus relieved from over-
flow, and were kept from drying up during the summers. I have been informed that
many streams, formerly deep and narrow, and abounding in pickerel, bass, and cat-
fishes, have since grown wide and shallow, while the volume of water in them varies
greatly in the different seasons, and they are now inhabited only by bullheads, suck-
ers, and a few minnows. The breaking of the native sod for agricultural purposes has
especially affected the smaller streams in this respect, while the construction of ditches
and the practice of underdraining have had their effects upon the larger ones. More-
over the constant loosening of the soil, in farming, tends to reduce it to that condition
in which it is readily transported by the heavy rains to produce muddy currents. To
this cause, no doubt, is due the present absence of trout from many of the streams of
northeastern Iowa and their marked decrease in other parts of the State. The rain
fall in Iowa is not very great and, as it occurs chiefly in the spring, even the larger
rivers become reduced in volume during the remainder of the year much beyond the
apparent capacity of their basins. There are, however, in the northern and eastern
parts of the State many large and beautiful springs, some of which are capable of
maintaining considerable streams of water during the entire year. Spring Branch,
near Manchester, in which trout are common, and McCloud Run, near Cedar Rapids,
are fed by springs of this character. A hatchery was built, a few years ago, at the
spring giving rise to McCloud Run, and many trout were hatched and planted there.
This station has recently been abandoned, but a few trout are still to be found in the
clear, cold water.
Iowa is situated between two of the largest rivers of the continent, being bounded
on the east by the Mississippi, and on the west, except at the northwestern corner, by
the Missouri. It is drained by many smaller rivers which empty into these main
arteries, forming two general systems, the waters of which flow nearly at right angles
to each other. Those tributary to the Mississippi trend, in a general way, southeasterly
;
and those tributary to the Missouri, southwesterly. The northern boundary of the
State lies near the watershed between the tributaries of the Minnesota River and the
streams which drain Iowa. Most of the rivers of this State, therefore, have their origin
within its borders, a few, however, rising in southern Minnesota; and, except a limited
number whose sources are in the southern part of the State, all terminate within its
limits. The affluents of the Mississippi drain a little more than two-thirds of the area
of the State; among them are its largest and most important rivers.
REPORT UPON THE PISHES OF IOWA. 219
Tlie streams of southwestern Iowa have usually very muddy bottoms, while those
elsewhere, having stronger currents, are generally characterized by sandy, gravelly,
or rocky bottoms. The former are the least adapted to fish life and are not rich in
either species or individuals; with the latter the contrary is the rule.
There are within the limits of the State a few lakes of moderate size; these are
situated on or near some watershed and each is fed by only a few small streams. The
most important are Clear, Storm, Spirit, and Okobojis Lakes. Clear Lake is very
shallow
;
Storm and Spirit Lakes are successively somewhat deeper, while Okobojis
is by far the deepest of them all.
All of the more important rivers have one or more, sometimes many, dams across
them
;
and few, if any, of these are supplied with fishways. As a rule, the dams are
not firmly constructed, and every spring many are washed away, never to be rebuilt.
During the spring of 1890 much injury was done to the dams in the northeastern part
of the State, where these structures are more common than elsewhere, but in 1891 the
region about Cherokee suffered most in this respect. At many places where dams
exist the streams widen out above them, forming shallow lakes. These areas contain
much swamp vegetation, and seem to have become fairly stocked with bass, pickerel,
and sunfishes. The same fishes, I am told, have increased in abundance in such
localities since the dams were built.
All of the streams examined by the writer, except perhaps a few in the southwestern
part of the State, were well supplied with the smaller fishes. With respect, however,
to the abundance of the larger forms, it was often difficult to reach satisfactory con-
clusions by the use of the ordinary collecting seines. In the bayous along the larger
streams young black bass, pickerel, and various species of sunfishes were always
found in large numbers. Mi. B. F. Shaw, at one time fish commissioner of Iowa, did
very effective work during his occupancy of that office in seining the fishes out of many
of these bayous, where a great mortality occurs annually, and depositing them in
the lakes and rivers. He was the first to suggest and put into practice this efficient
method of transplanting and preserving the native species, but the work was not con-
tinued subsequently, as it should have been. Much would be gained by again resort-
ing to this economical system of propagation, the utility of which has been sufficiently
demonstrated in Illinois and other adjacent States. There is at present, however, a
growing interest among certain Iowa sportsmen to organize for the purpose of pre-
venting the illegal taking of game of all kinds and of assisting in the protection and
increase of our native food-fishes.
As a result of observations, it was found that the temperature of the coldest
springs in the State was about 48° F.
;
but in few streams was the water temperature
below 60° F. In nearly all such cases the range was from 70° to 75° F., but it should
be taken into consideration that these observations were chiefly confined to the
warmer months.
220 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
In the following report the fishes are discussed m accordance with each river
basin. The streams and lakes examined were as follows
:
A. Drainage of the Mississippi River.
I. Mississippi River at Muscatine and Daven-
port.
II. Des Moines River: (1) The main river, at
Des Moines, Fort Dodge, and Esterville.
(2) Raccoon River, at Perry, Des Moines,
and Adel. (3) Beaver Creek. (4) Four-
mile Creek. (5) Walnut Creek. (6) Mid-
dle River. (7) North River, at Des Moines.
(8) Lizard River, at Fort Dodge.
III. Skunk River: (1) The main river. (2) Squaw
Creek. (3) College Creek, at Ames.
IV. Iowa River, at Garner, Belmond, Amana,
and Iowa City.
V. Cedar River: (1) The main river, at Austin
(Minn.), Waverly, Palo, Cedar Rapids,
Mount Vernon, and West Liberty. (2)
Turtle River. (3) Rose Creek, at Austin,
Minn. (4) West Fork. (5) Hartgraves
Creek, at Dumont. (6) Shellrock Creek,
6 miles southwest of Waverly. (7) Quar-
ter Section Run, 5 miles southeast of
Waverly. (8) Dry Creek, 4)- miles west of
Palo. (9) Prairie Creek, at Beverly. (10)
Indian Creek, near Marion.
VI. Clear Lake.
A. Drainage of Mississippi River—Cont’d.
.
VII. Wapsipinicon River: (1) The main river, at
Independence, Anamosa, and Wheatland.
(2) Buffalo River. (3) Minnow Creek, at
Anamosa.
VIII. Maquoketa River: (1) North Branch, at
Worthington. (2) South Fork, at Man-
chester and Hopkinton. (3) Spring Creek,
at Delhi.
IX. Turkey River: (1) The main river, at Elk-
port and Fort Atkinson. (2) Volga River,
at Fayette. (3) Bear Creek, 6 miles north-
east of Edgewood.
X. Yellow River: (1) The main river, about 6
miles northeast of Postville. (2) Hickory
Creek, about 4 miles northeast ofPostville.
XI. Upper Iowa River, at Chester and Decorah.
B. Drainage of the Missouri Rwer.
I. Missouri River, at Sioux City.
II. Big Sioux River, at Sioux Falls (S. Dak.)
and Sioux City.
III. Silver Lake.
IV. Soldier River : East Fork of Soldier River,
at Charter Oak.
V. Boyer River, at Arion Station.
DRAINAGE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
*
I.—THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Collections were made in this river at Muscatine and Davenport, the former
locality affording by far the best results. There are many bayous at Muscatine, and
the river there has generally a sandy bottom and many islands. The best fish market
in Iowa is also located in that city. At Davenport there are fewer bayous, and the
bottom of the river is more muddy and rocky. One day was spent at Davenport, and
three days, at different times, at Muscatine. Mad Creek is a small stream flowing
through Muscatine and emptying into the Mississippi. Few specimens were observed
except near its mouth. The species enumerated in the following list are from the
river at Muscatine unless otherwise expressly stated.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 221
PISHES OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
1. Petromyzon concolor (Kirtland), Brook lamprey
.
Common; parasitic on buffalo-fishes.
2. Polyodon spathula (Walbaum). Paddle-fisli; Spoon-hill; Duck-hilled cat. Rare ; taken more fre-
quently in the autumn and from the bayous.
3. Scaphirhynchus platyrhynchus (Raflnesque). Shovel-nosed sturgeon. Rare; seldom found in the
market.
4. Acipenser rubicundus Le Sueur. Lake sturgeon. Not common
;
more abundant in the spring.
5. Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). Common gar-pike ; Long-nosed gar ; Bill-fish. Common at both
Muscatine and Davenport.
6. Lepisosteus platystomus Raflnesque. Short-nosed gar. Coalmen.
7. Amia calva Linnaeus. Dogfish ; Bow-fin ; Mudfish. Common; but seldom taken from the river.
8. Ictalurus furcatus (Cuv. and Val. ). Fork-tailed cat. Rare; not observed by the writer.
9. Ictalurus punctatus (Raflnesque). Channel cat; White cat ; Silver cat. Common at both Muscatine
and Davenport, and many seen in the markets at the former place.
10. Ameiurus nigricans (Le Sueur). Mississippi catfish. Rare; specimens weighing 50 pounds are
occasionally captured.
11. Ameiurus melas (Raflnesque). Bullhead. Abundant at Muscatine; common at Davenport.
12. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common catfish. Abundant.
13. Leptops olivaris (Raflnesque). Mud cat; Flathead cat. Common.
14. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Stone cat. Rare.
15. Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuv. and Val.). Bed-mouthed buffalo. Common; usually taken from the
bayous.
16. Ictiobus urus (Agassiz). Big-mouthed buffalo. Common.
17. Ictiobus bubalus (Raflnesque). Small-mouthed buffalo. Common.
18. Carpiodes velifer (Raflnesque). Quillback; Carp sucker. Very abundant at Muscatine; common
at Davenport.
19. Cycleptus elongatus (Le Sueur). Blackhorse. Not common.
20. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Abundant.
21. Minytrema melanops (Raflnesque). Striped sucker. Rare; taken from the bayous.
22. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse. Common.
23. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Common alongshore and at Davenport;
abundant at mouth of Mad Creek.
24. Pimephales notatus (Raflnesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Common.
25. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Silver-fin. Rare at the mouth of Mad Creek; common at
Davenport.
26. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Rare; taken at mouth of Mad Creek.
27. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Common at mouth of Mad Creek.
28. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Rare.
29. Notropis jejunus (Forbes). Common at Davenport.
30. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Common at mouth of Mad Creek
;
not common at
Davenport.
31. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Spawn-eater. Common at mouth of Mad Creek; rare at Daven-
port.
32. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace. Rare.
33. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Roach; Golden shiner ; Bream. Rare; taken in bayous
and at Davenport.
34. Clupea chrysochloris Raflnesque. Golden shad; Skipjack. Common at Muscatine and Davenport.
35. Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur). Gizzard shad ; Hickory shad ; Mud shad. Common, especially
in the muddy bayous and at Davenport.
36. Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Brook trout. On May 14, 1889, a specimen was taken from
Mad Creek, at Muscatine, Iowa; it is preserved in the Muscatine Academy of Sciences; it
was no doubt a straggler from some of the spring brooks farther north.
37. Lucius vermiculatus (Le Sueur). Little pickerel. Common in grassy bayous,
222 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
38. Lucius lucius (Linnaeus). Pike; Northern pickerel. Very common, especially in the large grassy
bayous.
39. Lucius masquinongy (Mitchill). Muskellunge. Rare.
40. Anguilla chrysypa Rafinesque. Eel. Rare
;
no specimens were observed by the writer.
41. Labidesthes sicculus Cope. Brook silverside. Common at mouth of Mad Creek
;
rare at Daven-
port.
42. Pomoxis sparoides (Laedp&de). Calico bass; Grass bass ; Strawberry bass. Abundant, especially
in grassy bayous.
43. Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque. Crappie; Bachelor. Common
;
found with the preceding, but in
less numbers
;
not common at Davenport.
44. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Bock bass ; Red-eye; Goggle-eye. Very common.
45. Chasnobryttus gulosus (Cuv. and Yal.). War-mouth; Bed-eyed bream. Very common, especially
in the bayous
;
common at Davenport.
46. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Grreen sunfisli. Very abundant at Muscatine; common at
Davenport.
47. Lepomis humilis (Girard). Bed-spotted sunfish. Common at Davenport.
48. Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Blue sunfish. Abundant; common at Davenport.
49. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared sunfish. Common.
50. Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus). Common sunfish. Very common.
51. Micropterus dolomieu LacApede. Small-mouthed black bass. Abundant at Muscatine ; not com-
mon at Davenport.
52. Micropterus salmoides (LacApede). Large-mouthed black bass. Abundant; small specimens
found in bayous on the Illinois side of the river at Muscatine; not common at Davenport.
53. Etheostoma pellucidum clarum (Jordan and Meek). Sand darter. Rare at Davenport.
54. Etheostoma shumardi (Girard). A few specimens taken from the river.
55. Etheostoma phoxocephalum Nelson. Rare.
56. Perea flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow perch. Very common.
57. Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill). Wall eyed pike; Jack salmon. Very common.
58. Stizostedion canadense (C. H. Smith). Sanger; Sand pike. Less common than the preceding.
59. Roccus chrysops Rafinesque. White bass. Common at both Muscatine and Davenport.
60. Morone interrupta Gill. Yelloiv bass. Not common.
61. Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. Fresh-ioater drum; White perch. Common at Muscatine
and Davenport.
62. Lota lota maculosa (Le Sueur). Burbot; Lake lawyer. Not common.
II.—THE DES MOINES RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
This is the largest river basin within the State, occupying a large part of its cen-
tral area. The main river was visited at Estherville, Fort Dodge, and Des Moines.
At Estherville it is little more than a small creek, with sandy or gravelly bottom and
much vegetation. At Fort Dodge the river is large, but its physical characteristics
are about the same as at Estherville. At Des Moines the bottom is sandy, with con-
siderable mud and but few rocks.
Lizard Creek, near Fort Dodge, is a small stream with very rocky bottom. Its
current is not swift and it becomes nearly dry during the summer. The Eaccoon
Biver is a large western tributary of the Des Moines. At Perry it has a sandy bot-
tom with little mud and rocks, while at Des Moines its characteristics are about the
same, but it is larger. Beaver andWalnut creeks, near Des Moines, are small streams,
with muddy and sandy bottoms, which become nearly dry during the summer. The
other streams near Des Moines mentioned in this paper were not visited by the writer.
The specimens examined from them were collected by Prof. Call, of Des Moines, and
are mostly in the Des Moines High School. In the following list all citations of the
Eaccoon Biver refer only to that river at Des Moines.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 223
FISHES OF THE DES MOINES RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
1. Petromyzon concolor (Kirtland). Brook lamprey. Des Moines, rare. Infraoral cusps 9 or 10.
2. Lepisosteus osseus (Linnmus). Common gar-pike; Long-nosed gar; Bill-fish. Raccoon River,
Des Moines
;
Adel.
3. Ictalurus punctatus (Ralinesque). Channel oat; White cat; Silver cat. Des Moines (Raccoon
River), common; Middle River; Adel; Fort Dodge, abundant; Lizard Creek, common;
Perry, common; Des Moines, rare; North River, Walnut Creek, Beaver Creek, rare.
4. Ameiurus melas ( Ralinesque). Bullhead. Des Moines (Raccoon River), abundant in bayous;
Fort Dodge, not common
;
Walnut Creek, Estherville, Perry, North River, Adel, Walnut and
Beaver creeks, rare.
5. Noturus exilis Nelson. Stone cat. Perry, rare.
6. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Stone cat. Estherville and Raccoon River, Fort Dodge, and Des
Moines, rare.
7. Carpiodes velifer (Ralinesque). Qaillback; Carp-sucker. Lizard Creek, very abundant; Des
Moines (Raccoon River) and Perry, abundant; Des Moines and Fort Dodge, common;
Beaver and Walnut creeks, rare; Adel, Middle River and North River.
8. Moxostoma anisurum (Le Sueur). Lizard Creek and Fort Dodge, not common.
9. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur), liedhorse. Lizard Creek and Perry, abundant
;
Des Moines
(Raccoon River), Des Moines, Estherville, Fort Dodge, common
;
Beaver Creek, rare
;
Mid-
dle River, Adel.
10. Placopharynx carinatus Cope. Big-jawed sucker. Perry and Raccoon River, common
;
Adel.
11. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Des Moines, Raccoon River, Fort Dodge, and
Estherville, common; Walnut Creek, Beaver Creek, Lizard Creek, and Perry, rare; Middle
River, Adel, North River.
12. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker; Stone-roller; Hog mullet. Perry, abundant; Fort
Dodge, common; Beaver Creek, Des Moines, and Raccoon River, rare; Adel, Middle River.
13. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. Raccoon River and Lizard
Creek, not common; Beaver and Walnut creeks, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, and Perry, rare;
Four-mile Creek, Adel, North River, Middle River.
14. Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Red-bellied minnow. Walnut Creek, rare.
15. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Raccoon River and Perry, abundant ; Beaver
Creek, Walnut Creek, Des Moines, and Fort Dodge, common; Lizard Creek, Adel.
16. Hybognathus nuchalis placita (Girard). Silvery minnow. Adel; Raccoon River, rare. Mouth
much smaller than in previous form; head also narrower.
17. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. Beaver Creek, abundant; Raccoon River, Walnut
Creek, Des Moines, Lizard Creek, Fort Dodge, and Perry, rare; Four-mile Creek, North
River, Adel.
18. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow
.
Beaver Creek and Fort Dodge, abun-
dant
;
Des Moines, Estherville, and Perry, common
;
Raccoon River and Lizard Creek, rare
;
Walnut Creek, Adel, Middle River, Four-mile Creek, North River.
19. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Silver-fin. Walnut Creek and Des Moines, common; Perry,
not common
;
Raccoon River, Beaver Creek, and Estherville, rare
;
Middle River, Adel.
20. Notropis heterodon (Cope). Estherville, not common.
21. Notropis cayuga Meek. Estherville, common; Beaver Creek and Lizard Creek, rare
;
Adel.
22. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Raccoon River and Beaver Creek, abundant; Walnut Creek and
Estherville, common; Des Moines, Lizard Creek, and Perry rare; Fort Dodge, not common;
Middle River, Adel, Four-mile Creek.
23. Notropis topeka Gilbert. Beaver Creek, Estherville, and Lizard Creek, rare.
24. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Raccoon River and Beaver Creek, abundant; Walnut
Creek, Des Moines, Lizard Creek, Fort Dodge, and Perry, common
;
Middle River, Adel,
Four-mile Creek, North River.
25. Notropis lutrensis (Baird and Girard).
26. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Estherville, Lizard Creek, and Fort Dodge, abundant; Raccoon
River, Beaver and Walnut creeks, Des Moines, and Perry, common; Middle River, Adel,
North River, Yader River,
224 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
27. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Shiner. Beaver and Walnut creeks, Lizard Creek, and Perry,
abundant; Des Moines, Raccoon River, Estherville, and Fort Dodge, common; Four-mile
Creek, Adel, North River, Middle River.
28. Notropis ardens (Cope). Redjin. Fort Dodge, not common
;
Beaver Creek (scales 55), Des Moines,
Raccoon River, Perry, Walnut Creek, rare; Adel, Middle River, North River.
29. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Des Moines, Fort Dodge, common
;
Lizard Creek,
not common; Beaver Creek, Estherville, Perry, Walnut Creek, Raccoon River, rare; North
River, Adel.
30. Phenacobius mirabilis (Girard). Des Moines, common; Raccoon River, Walnut and Beaver
creeks, Perry, rare; Middle River, North River, Four-mile Creek.
31. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed dace. Lizard Creek, Fort Dodge, Walnut and
Beaver creeks, rare.
32. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Spawn-eater. Raccoon River, common; Des Moines and
Perry, rare; Middle River, Adel, Walnut Creek.
33. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead. Estherville, abundant
;
Walnut and Beaver
creeks, Raccoon River, Des Moines, and Fort Dodge, common; Lizard Creek, not common;
Perry, rare; Adel, North River.
34. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace. Raccoon River, common; Beaver and Wal-
nut creeks, Des Moines, Estherville, and Perry, rare; Adel, Lizard Creek, North River.
35. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Golden shiner; Bream; Roach. Estherville, common;
Des Moines (Raccoon River), Perry, Beaver Creek, rare.
36. Fundulus zebrinus Jordan and Gilbert. Fort Dodge, rare.
37. Zygonectes notatus (Rafinesque). Top-minnow. Raccoon River, rare.
38. Lucius vermiculatus (Le Sueur). Little pickerel. Beaver Creek, Yader Creek.
39. Lucius lucius (Linnaeus). Pike; Northern pickerel. Fort Dodge, common
;
Perry, rare; Raccoon
River, Adel, Des Moines.
40. Anguilla chrysypa Rafinesque. Common eel. Raccoon River and Des Moines, rare, occasion-
ally taken with hook and line
;
Adel.
41. Labidesthes sicculus Cope. Brook silverside. Adel; Fort Dodge and Raccoon River, rare.
42. Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque. Crappie; Bachelor. Raccoon River, common in bayou
;
Middle
River.
43. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock bass; Red-eye; Goggle-eye. Fort Dodge, abundant;
Estherville, common; Raccoon River, not common; Lizard Creek and Perry, rare; Adel.
44. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfish. Beaver Creek, abundant; Perry, abundant in
small bayou; Raccoon River, common in bayou; Des Moines and Fort Dodge, common;
Estherville, rare; North River, Middle River, Walnut Creek, Adel.
45. Lepomis humilis (Girard). Red-spotted swnfisli. Raccoon River, abundant in bayou; Perry,
abundant; Fort Dodge, common; Middle River, Des Moines, Beaver Creek, Walnut Creek,
North River, Adel.
46. Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Blue sunfish. Des Moines, uncommon; Raccoon River, rare; Adel.
47. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared sunfish. Estherville, common ; Raccoon River, rare;
Beaver Creek.
48. Micropterus dolomieu Lacepbde. Small-mouthed black bass. Fort Dodge, common
;
Des Moines
and Raccoon River, not common; Lizard Creek, Perry, Beaver Creek, and Estherville, rare;
Adel, Middle River.
49. Micropterus salmoides (Lacdpede). Large-mouthed black bass. Raccoon River, common in
bayou
;
Perry, rare
;
Beaver Creek, Adel, Des Moines.
50. Etheostoma pellucidum clarum (Jordan and Meek). Sand darter. Raccoon River, Fort Dodge,
and Perry, rare ; Adel.
51. Etheostoma nigrum (Rafinesque). Johnny darter. Beaver and Walnut creeks, Raccoon River,
Des Moines, and Fort Dodge, common
;
Perry, not common
;
Lizard Creek, rare
;
North River,
Adel.
52. Etheostoma caprodes (Rafinesque). Log perch. Estherville, common; Fort Dodge, rare; Des
Moines.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 225
53. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Black-aided darter. Estherville, common; Dos Moiues,
Lizard Creek, Fort Dodge, and Perry, rare; Beaver Creek, North River, Adel.
54. Etheostoma phoxocephalum Nelson. Estherville and Perry, rare.
55. Etheostoma zonale (Cope). Beaver Creek, Estherville, and Fort Dodge, common.
56. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Fort Dodge, not common
;
Beaver Creek, Estherville, and
Perry, rare; Raccoon River.
57. Etheostoma jessiae (Jordan and Brayton). Beaver Creek.
58. Etheostoma iowae Jordan and Meek. Fort Dodge and Perry, rare.
59. Perea flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow perch . Estherville and Perry, rare.
III.—THE SKUNK RIVER.
The Skunk River drains a narrow basin between the Iowa and Des Moines rivers.
At Ames it is not large, has a sandy bottom, and flows with considerable current.
Collections were made in the river and in a small bayou. Squaw Creek is smaller
than Skuuk River, and in the summer the water is confined to a few holes. In Octo-
ber, 1889, these holes contained many pickerel, bass, suckers, and buffalo-fishes. The
following September I collected again in the same holes, but found very few fishes
compared with the previous year.
FISHES OF THE SKUNK RIVER.
1. Ammocoetes branchialis (Linnseus). Mud lamprey. A larval specimen from this river is pre-
served in the Iowa Agricultural College Museum.
2. lotalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel cat; White cat; Silver cat. Skunk River, common.
3. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common bullhead; Horned pout. Two specimens in the Iowa
Agricultural College Museum have the anal rays 23.
4. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Skunk River, abundant in the bayou; Squaw Creek,
abundant.
5. Noturus exilis Nelson. Stone cat. Anal rays, 16. A few specimens are preserved in the Iowa
Agricultural College Museum.
6. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Stone cat. Skunk River, rare, anal rays 13 or 14
;
Squaw Creek, rare.
7. Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuv. and Val.). Bed-mouthed buffalo. Squaw Creek
;
abundant in 1889, hut
none taken the following year.
8. Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quillbaek; Carp sucker. Skunk River and Squaw Creek,
common.
9. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Squaw ('reek, abundant; Skunk River, common.
10. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker; Stone roller; Hog mullet. Skunk River, common;
Squaw Creek, rare.
11. Minytrema melanops (Jordan). Striped sucker. Squaw Creek, rare.
12. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse; Mullet. Squaw Creek, abundant; Skunk
River, not common.
13. Moxostoma, sp. Squaw Creek, rare. Seales, 41; dorsal rays, 15
;
base of dorsal, 4£in body; head,
4; depth, 3£; eye, 4&; caudal lobes equal ; body very deep ; back much arched. These speci-
mens resemble the preceding, but the hack is much more arched and the body much deeper.
14. Moxostoma aureolum (Le Sueur). Skunk River, rare; head very small
15. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. Skunk River and Squaw
Creek, common.
16. Chrosom s erythrogaster Rafinesque. Bed-bellied minnow. Small brook, near Ames, Iowa, on
the University campus; six specimens.
17. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Squaw Creek, common: Skunk River, rare,
F. C. B. 1890—15
226 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
18. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow
.
Skunk River, not common
;
Squaw Creek
abundant.
19. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-liead. Skunk River, common in bayou; Squaw Creek,
not common.
20. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Silver-fin. Skunk River, common.
21 Notropis heterodon Cope. Skunk River, not common; found with the following species.
22. Notropis cayuga Meek. Skunk River, very abundant in a small bayou; Squaw Creek, common.
23. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Squaw Creek and Skunk River, rare.
24. Notropis gilbert! Jordan and Meek. Skunk River and Squaw Creek, common.
25. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Skunk River and Squaw Creek, common.
26. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Shiner. Squaw Creek and Skunk River, common.
27. Notropis ardens (Cope). Skunk River, rare, scales 55; Squaw Creek, rare, scales 44 to 50; lateral
line not complete in some specimens ; anal rays, 10 to 12.
28 . Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Skunk River, abundant ; Squaw Creek, rare.
29. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead; River chub; Jerker. Skunk River and
Squaw Creek, common.
30. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitehill). Horned dace; Creek chub. College Creek, Ames, common.
31. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitehill). Golden shiner; Bream. Skunk River, common iu the
bayou; Squaw Creek, common.
32. Phenacobius mirabilis (Girard). Skunk River, not common; Squaw Creek, rare.
33. Zygonectes notatus (Rafinesque). Top-minnow. Skunk River and Squaw Creek, rare.
34. Lucius lucius (Linnseus). Pike; Northern pickerel. Several specimens from the Skunk River are
contained in the Ames Museum.
35. Lucius masquinongy (Mitehill). Muskellunge. Skunk River, rare. I have examined the head
of a large specimen which weighed 35^ pounds. It was taken from Skunk River, just below
the mouth of Squaw Creek. Fishermen report that several were captured at the same place
a few years ago.
36. Labidesthes sicculus Cope. Brook silverside. Skunk River and Squaw Creek, rare.
37. Pomoxis sparoides (Lac6phde). Calico bass; Grass bass; Strawberry bass. Skunk River, not
commbn.
38. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock bass; Red-eye; Goggle-eye. Ames, rare. Contained
in the Iowa Agricultural College Museum.
39. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfish. Skunk River, abundant; Squaw Creek,
common.
40. Lepomis humilis (Girard). Red-spotled sunfish. Skunk River, not common.
41. Lepomis pallidus (Mitehill). Blue sunfish. Squaw Creek, rare.
42. Microuterus salmoides (Lac^phde). Large-mouthed black bass. Skunk River, abundant, mostly
young from the bayou ; Squaw Creek, common.
43. Micropterus dolomieu Lac6p5de. Small-mouthed black bass. Squaw Creek and Skunk River?
not common.
44. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Squaw Creek, common; Skunk River, rare.
45. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Black-sided darter. Skunk River, rare. Lateral line,
70; cheeks and opercles scaly; breast naked; head, 4; depth, 6; anal rays, 11-9. Squaw
Creek, scarce.
46. Etheostoma zonale (Cope). Skunk River, rare. Scales, 50; dorsal, XI-12; anal rays, 11-7;
cheeks, opercles, and breast scaly, the latter naked near isthmus.
47. Etheostoma jessiae (Jordan and Brayton). Squaw Creek, rare. Scales, 48; cheeks scaled;
breast naked
;
dorsal rays, XI or XII-14.
48. Etheostoma coeruleum Storer. Skunk River and Squaw Creek, rare.
49. Etheostoma iowae Jordan and Meek. Skunk River, common in the bayou. Sides with 10 or
11 reddish spots, interspersed with darker bands of about the same size. The 2d, 3d, 4th,
and 5th extend on sides under pectoral fins. Dorsal with a narrow, dark margin, about half
of the fin
;
below this with a red band below a darker band ; soft dorsal, caudal, and pectorals
irregularly barred with yellow and darker; anal nearly plain. In some (female) specimens
the red spots on the sides were absent, otherwise all were alike in color. Scales, 56 ; dorsal
rays, YHI-IX, 10 or 11; A., 2-7.
REPOET UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 227
IV.—THE IOWA RIVER.
The Iowa Eiver rises in the north-central part of the State. The country near its
source is a slightly undulating prairie, becoming more and more broken toward its
mouth. The river was visited at Garner, Belmond, Amana, and Iowa City. At Gar-
ner the water was confined to a few holes, rather distant from one another, in which
grass was so abundant that it was quite impossible to seine. We succeeded, however,
in taking a few bullheads (A. melas) and the mud minnow ( U. limi). The great scarcity
of water was due to a prolonged season of dry weather, and was an unusual occur-
rence. The stream at this point was not bordered by timber.
At Belmond the river is from 20 to 40 feet wide. A dam at this place backs the
water for some distance above. We collected below the dam, where the bottom was
gravelly and sandy. There is much vegetation in the river a short distance below the
dam and a weak growth of timber along its banks. The water was clear, the current
rather slack, and the river unusually slow. When the mill was in operation there
was but little water flowing over the dam. Pickerel seemed quite plentiful in the
grass, but only a few were caught in our nets. Small fishes were abundant, especially
just below the dam. The temperature on July 29 was 73° F.
At Amana the river is much larger than at Belmond. Aquatic vegetation is
very scarce and the bottom sandy. There is not much timber along the banks. A
small creek empties into the river at this point, and when we were there the water in
the creek was confined to a few holes. From these holes large pickerel were taken,
and also many crappies, P. annularis and P. sparoides. At the mouth of the creek
the water was from 4 to 7 feet deep, and the bottom muddy. The examination at
Amana was made September 11. The temperature is about the same as in the Cedar
River at Waverly.
At Iowa City the river has about the same characteristics as at Amana. It is
somewhat larger and deeper, and in some places is bordered by rather low cliffs. There
is also more timber along its borders. A small creek with a very muddy bottom
near its mouth flows into the river near Iowa City. Collections were made in the
river and in the creek by Prof. C. C. Nutting and the writer in October, 1889. I was
informed by a fisherman that in former years the larger catfishes, pickerel, buffalo,
and bass were very common in the river, and that fishing for the markets in the
spring was then quite lucrative. These larger fishes are still taken, but in much less
numbers.
Through the kindness of Prof. Nutting I have been able to examine the collection
of fishes from the Iowa River in the museum of the Iowa State University, and the
additional facts gained thereby have been utilized in the preparation of the following
list.
228 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
FISHES OF THE IOWA RIVER.
1. Ammoccetes branchialis (Linnaeus). Mud lamprey. A few specimens are contained in the
Museum of the Iowa State University.
2. Petromyzon concolor (Kirtland). Brook lamprey. A few specimens in the museum of the Iowa
State University.
3. Amia calva Linnaeus. Dogfish; Bow-fin; Mudfish. Iowa City and Amana, not common.
4. Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). Common gar-pike; Long-nosed gar; Bill-fish. Iowa City; said to
he quite common in the spring. The specimens examined are in the museum of the Iowa
State University.
5. Polyodon spathula (Walbaum). Paddle-fish; Spoon-Mil; Duck-hilled vat. The specimens examined
are in the museum of the Iowa State University. Said to have been frequently taken in pre-
vious years.
6. Ictalurus punctatus (Eafinesque). Channel cat; White cat; Silver cat. Small specimens were
obtained in considerable numbers at Amana and Iowa City. Larger specimens are said to
be more rare than formerly.
7. Ameiurus melas (Eafinesque). Bullhead. Garner and Belmond, commou.
8. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Stone cat. Belmond and Amana, rare. All the specimens taken
were small.
9. Carpiodes velifer (Eafinesque). Quillback; Carp sucker. Iowa City and Amana, very abundant
in bayous at the side of the river. The specimens exhibit considerable variations. In some
the first dorsal rays are prolonged to near the caudal fin, while in others these rays scarcely
reach the middle of the dorsal fin. Some are deeper than others, and in all the profile is
quite trenchant.
10. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Belmond, Amana, and Iowa City, not common.
11. Catostomus nigricans (Le Sueur). Sog sucker; Stone-roller; Hog mullet. Belmond, abundant
just below the dam.
12. Moxostoma duquesnei Le Sueur. Common redhorse; “Mullet.” Belmond and Iowa City, com-
mon; Amana, rare.
13. Minytrema melanops (Eafinesque). Striped sucker. One specimen was obtained at Amana.
This species seems rare in Iowa, and I have taken it in only three localities.
14. Campostoma anomalum (Eafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. Iowa City and Amana, rare
;
Belmond, common. Scales, 44 to 48.
15. Chrosomus erythrogaster Eafinesque. Bed-bellied minnow. Belmond, abundant.
16. Hybognathus nuclialis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Amana, rare.
17. Hybognathus nubila (Forbes). Belmond, abundant.
18. Pimephales notatus (Eafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Amana, very common; Iowa City and
Belmond, rare.
19. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Silver-fin. Iowa City, rare.
20. Notropis heterodon (Cope). Bare.
21. Notropis cayuga Meek. Belmond, common; the specimens taken at this place agree with those
from the Cedar Basin and elsewhere in the State.
22. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Iowa City and Amana, not common.
23. Notropis topeka Gilbert. Amana, rare.
24. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Iowa City and Belmond, abundant; Amana, rare.
25. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Amana, very common; Iowa City, not common.
26. Notropis megalops (Eafinesque). Shiner. Belmond and Iowa City, very common
;
scales before
the dorsal fin, small.
27. Notropis ardens (Cope). Bedfin. Belmond, rare. Scales, 43; anal rays, 11; color, dark blue;
dark spot at the base of first dorsal ray prominent
;
base of first dorsal ray midway between
the nostril and base of caudal fin.
U
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 2211
28. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Amana, very rare. Base of first dorsal ray mid-
way between eye and base of caudal fin
;
the diameter of the eye equals that of the snout,
3-J- in head; about 20 scales before dorsal fin.
29. Notropis atherinoides (Rafinesque). Rosy minnow. Iowa City, common. The specimens from
Iowa City are much larger than the preceding
;
length, 3£ inches. Color, light olivaceous,
with a bright, silvery luster
;
head, 44 to 4f in length of body ; depth, 51- ; diameter of eye
greater than the length of the snout, 3 in the head
;
snout, 3f in head ; anal rays, 10 ; scales
in the lateral line, 40
;
dorsal fin behind ventrals
;
base of its first ray midway between nos-
trils or front of orbit and base of caudal fin. These specimens agree very well with N.
atherinoides from Ohio and Indiana, and are also very similar to the preceding.
30. Phenacobius mirabilis (Girard). Amana and Iowa City, rare.
31. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Spawn-eater. Amana and Iowa City, common.
32. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead. Belmond and Iowa City, common; scales, 43.
33. Couesius dissimilis (Girard). Belmond, two specimens, 2£ inches in length. Body elongate,
not much compressed
;
snout pointed
;
mouth terminal, oblique
;
maxillary, reaching nearly
to front of pupil
;
diameter of eye equals length of snout, 34 in head
;
base of first dorsal ray
midway between base of caudal fin and nostril
;
scales, small before dorsal, about 60 in the
lateral line; breast scaly; teeth, 1, 5-5, 1, hooked and without grinding surface. Color, dark
olivaceous, a dark lateral band bounded below by the decurved lateral line
;
a lighter and
narrower band above it from upper part of orbit to the caudal fin
;
fins all dusky. This
species seems very rare in Iowa. It was taken among weeds.
34. Fundulus zebrinus Jordan and Gilbert. Belmond, rare.
35. Zygonectes notatus (Rafinesque). Top-minnow. Iowa City, rare.
36. Umbra limi (Kirtland). Mud-minnow; Dogfish. Garner. A few specimens were taken from one
of the isolated holes in the Iowa River.
37. Lucius lucius (Linnaeus). Pike; Northern pickerel. Belmond and Amana, common.
38. Anguilla chrysypa (Rafinesque). Common eel. One specimen in the Iowa State University
Museum was obtained from the Iowa River. The species is very rare in Iowa.
39. Pomoxis sparoides (Lacepede). Calico bass; Crass bass; Strawberry bass. Amana, common;
Iowa City, rare.
40. Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque. Crappie; Bachelor. Amana; more common than the preceding
species.
41. Chaenobryttus gulosus (Cuv. and Val.). War-mouth; Red-eyed bream. Amana, rare.
42. Lepomis cyanellus Rafinesque. Green sunfish. Belmond, common; Iowa City, not common.
43. Lepomis pallidus Mitchill. Blue sunfish. Amana and Iowa City, common.
44. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared sunfish. Belmond, common.
45. Lepomis holbrooki (Cuv. and Val.). Amana, not common. Opercular flap with a red spot, but
without a red margin.
46. Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede). Large-mouthed black bass. Iowa City, not common
; most
of the specimens were taken from the creek near its mouth.
47. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Belmond, abundant; Iowa City, common in
the creek; Amana, rare.
48. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Belmond and Iowa City, rare; stripes on both sides very
prominent.
49. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Black-sided darter. Belmond and Iowa City, rare.
50. Etheostoma iowse Jordan and Meek. Not common.
51. Perea flavescens Mitchill. Yelloie perch. Belmond, common.
52. Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill). Wall-eyed pike; Jack salmon. Iowa State University Museum.
230 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
V.-THE CEDAR RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
The Cedar River basin properly forms a part of the Iowa River basin, but owing to
the fact that above the junction of the two rivers the Cedar River is much the larger
stream, it seems best to treat the latter separately.
The Cedar is the second largest river in the State and one of the most picturesque.
Together with its northern tributaries it rises in southern Minnesota. Its general
course is southeast as far as Moscow, about 15 miles from the Mississippi River, where
it turns almost at right angles and, flowing southwest only about 30 miles, empties
into the Iowa River. The current of the Cedar River is swifter than that of either
the Des Moines or the Iowa. Its bottom for the most part is sandy, especially above
Moscow, but there are occasional stretches of mud and some rocky patches.
The Cedar basin is an undulating prairie, with considerable timber along both the
main river and its tributaries. There are also many bayous and small ponds which
are connected with the river at tim es of high water. In the larger bayous, where
there is much swamp vegetation, pickerel and various species of sunfishes abound.
The largest bayou is near Cedar Rapids. On the maps it is usually designated as Cedar
Lake, but locally it is known as the “ Slough.” It is about three-fourths of a mile wide
and 2 miles long, and is fast filling up at present. It is connected with the river at
all times of the year, contains an abundance of vegetation, and abounds with sunfishes
and bullheads. Some black bass and pickerel and many mudfish are also taken from
its waters. The Slough is decidedly the fishing-ground for the small boys of Cedar
Rapids, and I have often seen them on their homeward trip with strings of bullheads
and sunfishes about as long as the average boy himself.
At Austin, Minnesota, the river is little more than a large creek. The bottom is
mostly sandy, but there are occasional stretches of deep water with muddy bottom.
Aquatic vegetation is scarce and confined to small patches in shallow water. At the
time of our visit the volume of water had been much reduced by dry weather. Its
temperature on July 25, 1890, was 71° F. Turtle River is a tributary of the Cedar and
empties into it near Austin; its current is sluggish and its bottom mostly muddy; it
is fed by large marshes and shallow lakes. Rose Creek, another small tributary near
Austin, is fed by springs, has a very rocky bottom and a swift current; pickerel
seemed especially abundant in it; its temperature on July 25, 1890, was 69° F.
The Cedar River at Waverly is very much larger than at Austin; its banks are
bordered with a rather heavy growth of timber; its bottom is very sandy, and its
water clear; its temperature on July 31 was 74° F.
The Shellrock River is not much smaller than the Cedar above its junction with the
latter, which it much resembles except that its banks are less heavily timbered. Its
temperature on July 31 was 74° F. Fishes were about as abundant as in the Cedar
River. Near Waverly there are some large springs. We seined in one of the spring-
branches on the west side of the Cedar River, where the water was less clear than in
other similar branches. Fishes were scarce; its temperature was 58° F.
The west branch of the Cedar River is formed by two small creeks near Dumont.
The average width of these creeks is less than 30 feet; their bottoms are sandy, with
some mud; timber is scarce along their borders. One of them is termed the main
fork, the other is called Hartgraves Creek. Near Dumont is a small lake connected
REPORT UPON THE PISHES OP IOWA. 231
by a small channel with Hartgraves Creek. The bottom of this lake is very muddy
and is covered with vegetation. Sunfisb.es and pickerel were very abundant in it.
At Palo the bottom of the river is sandy, in some places rocky. There are many
bayous in this region, and the river is bordered with less timber than at Waverly.
Dry creek is a small tributary of the Cedar River near Palo, having a very muddy
bottom. We collected on the farm of Mr. Joseph Owens, who informed me that the
creek used to be deep and narrow and contained fine pickerel and catfishes. At
present it is wider and shallower.
At Cedar Rapids the river is about 700 feet wide. A dam at this place holds the
water back over a distance of about 5 miles, thereby increasing the width of the river.
This enlarged part contains many islands and much aquatic vegetation. Below the
dam, for about one-third of a mile, the current is very swift and the bottom very rocky,
but farther down it becomes sandy. There is considerable timber in this region.
Prairie Creek is a western tributary of the Cedar, a small stream bordered in the
lower part with timber. Its bottom is usually muddy, with occasional stretches of
sand. Mr. Aquilla Miller, who has resided on its banks many years, informed me that
the larger fishes were formerly quite abundant in it, but at present only small ones
can be found.
Indian Creek is an eastern tributary, smaller than Prairie Creek, with a sandy or
rocky bottom, and is bordered by timber. A much greater number of fishes was
found in Indian Creek than in Prairie.
At Mount Vernon the bottom of the Cedar River is sandy. Cliffs, called the Pali-
sades, about 60 feet high, occur on the western side. A few small streams flow into
the river near this place. At West Liberty the current was more moderate than at
the other places visited, but the general characteristics of the river were the same.
Most of the collection was obtained from bayous near the river, but a few specimens
were taken from a small creek between West Liberty and the river.
FISHES OF THE CEDAR RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
1. Ammocoetes brancliialis (Linnaeus). Mud lamprey. This small lamprey ascends clear brooks in
the spring for the purpose of spawning, and at that time of the year large numbers can he
captured. They were spawning at Cedar Rapids April 20, 1889, and about April 10, 1891,
the season lasting about two weeks. I have secured many specimens from small brooks near
Cedar Rapids, hut have seen none from other localities and am not aware of their being taken
at other times than in the spring. Specimens seldom exceed 61 inches in length. It would
he an easy matter to destroy large quantities of these lampreys in the spring, if it were
thought expedient, in view of the injury which they are supposed to inflict upon some of the
food-fishes. They undoubtedly do some destruction, but how much it is difficult to say. I
have compared the lampreys from Cedar Rapids with specimens from Ithaca, New York, and
regard the species from both localities as identical.
2. Petromyzon concolor (Kirtland) . Brook lamprey. I have never observed this species in the spring.
It is represented in the Coe College Museum by a single specimen, collected in the Cedar
River several years ago by Prof. F. Starr.
3. Polyodon spathula (Walbaum). Paddle-fish; Spoon-Mil; Duck-billed cat. Cedar Rapids, rare. The
snouts of a few individuals, collected in the Cedar River during the past ten years, are in
the Coe College Museum.
4. Scaphirhynchus platyrhynchus (Rafinesque). Shovel-nosed sturgeon. An occasional specimen is
taken from the Cedar River with hook and line.
232 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES PISH COMMISSION.
5. Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). Common gar-pike; Long-nosed gar; Bill-Jisli. Cedar Rapids, com-
mon. A few specimens from this locality are contained in the Coe College Museum. The
species also occurs in the river.
6. Amia calva Linnaeus. Dogfish; Bow-fin; Mvdfish. Very abundant in the Slough and occasionally
taken from the Cedar River.
7. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel cal; White cat; Silver cat. Cedar Rapids, common
;
Palo, Cedar River, several small specimens taken in the seine. During the months of
.Tune and July many specimens of this species are taken from the Cedar River with hook
and line. The best bait seems to be fibrin from blood. The favorite fishing-places are just
below the dam or below Sinclair’s packing-house, the latter apparently being the best. The
water below the packing- house is far less clear and pure than below the dam.
8. Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur). Yellow cat. Indian Creek, scarce. Anal rays, 25; base of anal,
3-g in the length of the body and longer than the length of the head.
9. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common bullhead; Horned pout. Dry Creek, Palo, common;
Dumont, not common
;
anal rays, 20 to 23
;
Indian Creek and Austin, Turtle River, rare.
10. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Cedar Rapids, abundant in the Slough; Indian Creek,
Dumont, and Dry Creek, common; Waverly (Shellrock and Clear rivers), Prairie Creek,
and Mount Vernon, not common.
11. Leptops olivaris (Rafinesque). Mud cat] Flat-head cat. Several large specimens of this species
were reported taken from the Cedar River w»ith hook and line in July, 1890, the largest
weighing about 20 pounds. I saw only a few of these, but all that I examined were of this
species. It is not unlikely that some of the larger specimens recorded may have belonged
to A. nigricans. According to the anglers, cat fishing was better in July, 1890, than it had
been at auy time during the past ten years.
12. Noturus flavus (Rafinesque). Stone cat. Cedar Rapids, rare.
13. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Stone cat. West Liberty, rare; anal, 15 rays
;
caudal fin continuous
with adipose; dorsal spine not serrated
;
head, 3^ in length of body; top of head flattish.
Waverly (Cedar River), rare; anal, 15; head, 3f ; depth, 4; pectoral spine entire, 2^ in head.
Dumont, Dry Creek, and Indian Creek, rare.
14. Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quill-back; Carp sucker. Cedar Rapids, very abundant in still
bays along the sides of the river. Most of the specimens taken are small. Different
individuals show considerable variation, but I have hot been able to detect any constant
characters by which to separate them. Prairie Creek, abundant; Dumont, Austin, Indian
Creek, and West Liberty, common; Waverly (Shellrock and Cedar rivers), not common.
15. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Dry Creek at Palo, Prairie Creek, and Cedar
Rapids, abundant; Waverly (Shellrock River), Dumont, Austin, Indian Creek, and West
Liberty, common
;
Cedar River at Palo, rare.
16. Catostomus nigricans (Le Sueur). Hog sucker; Stone-roller; Hog mullet. Dry Creek, at Palo,
abundant; Dumont, common; Austin, and Cedar River at Waverly, not common; Cedar
Rapids, Prairie Creek, Indian Creek, and Mount Vernon, rare.
17. Erimyzon sucetta (Lacepede). Chub sucker; Sweet sucker. West Liberty, two specimens were
taken from a bayou near the river. Scales, 38 ; dorsal rays, 12 ; anal, 7 ; depth, 3| ; head, 4
;
longest specimen, 7-)- inches. This species seems rare in Iowa, and 1 have taken no speci-
mens from other localities than the above.
18. Moxostoma anisurum (Rafinesque). White-nosed sucker. Austin, rare; dorsal, 15 rays; body
deeper than in If. duquesnei; depth, 3)-
;
dorsal region arched more than in M. duquesnei;
color, more silvery, and lower lip thinner and with sharper angle. Waverly, Shellrock,
rare
;
depth, 3-J
;
dorsal rays, 15. '
19. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse; “Mullet.” West Liberty, common
;
lower
fins red; dorsal rays, 14, Cedar Rapids, Prairie Creek, and Palo (Dry Creek), common.
Waverly (Shellrock River), common; dorsal rays, 12 to 13; depth, 4J in the length of the
body. Dumont, common; scales, 44; dorsal rays, 13; upper lip with a dark margin; color
darker and less silvery than in specimens taken elsewhere. Austin, not common; dorsal
rays, 12 to 14; color less silvery than usual; depth scarcely more than length of head.
191. Minytrema melanops Rafinesque. Striped sucker. Cedar River, scarce.
REPORT UPON THE PISHES OE IOWA. 233
20. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. West Liberty and Prairie
creeks, rare. Indian Creek, not common; head, 4} in the length of the body; dorsal rays, 7
or 8 ; anal rays, 7 or 8 ; snout, 3 in length of the head ; first dorsal ray midway between base
of caudal and tip of snout. Palo (Dry Creek), Waverly (Cedar and Shellrock rivers), Dumont,
common
;
scales, 47 to 53. Austin, not common.
21. Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Bed-bellied minnow. This species is seldom found in
Iowa except in spring brooks, and is nowhere abundant. It was common in a small brook
at Mount Yernon, and rare at the following localities: Palo, Dry Creek, Waverly, taken in
a small spring brook, tributary to the Cedar River
;
Austin.
22. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow . Prairie Creek, common; Indian Creek, Dumont
and Waverly (Shellrock River), rare.
23. Hybognathus nubila (Forbes). Waverly (Shellrock River) and Austin, not common.
24. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Flat-bead. Cedar rapids, very abundant. Nearly all the
specimens were taken in a ditch along the Illinois Central Railroad near Cedar Rapids,
where no fishes had been found the previous summer. No other species, moreover, were
observed in this ditch, which is in communication with the Slough in times of high water.
Only two species of Pimephales occur in Iowa. P. promelas prefers sluggish or stagnant
pools with a muddy bottom, while notatus always inhabits clear water. This species was also
obtained at the following localities: Indian Creek, common; Palo, Dry Creek, not common.
West Liberty, Prairie Creek, Waverly (Shellrock River), Dumont, and Austin, rare.
25. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnoio. Indian Creek, abundant; West Lib-
erty, Cedar Rapids, Prairie Creek, Palo, Dry Creek, Waverly (Cedar River and Shellrock
River), Dumont, and Austin, common; Palo, Cedar River, rare.
26. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Bullhead minnow. Palo and Cedar Rapids, common.
27. Notropis anogenus Porbes. Austin, Minnesota, rare. This species very much resembles N.
heterodon, from which it differs in having a smaller and more oblique mouth.
28. Notropis heterodon (Cope). West Liberty; dorsal nearer tip of snout than base of caudal
;
dark
lateral band prominent. Found near the shore where there is little current and an abun-
dance of weeds. Cedar Rapids, not common
;
Dumont, rare; Waverly (Shellrock River).
29. Notropis cayuga Meek. Indian Creek, rare. Head, 4 in the length of the body
;
depth, 4|-
;
dorsal
(origin of first ray) slightly nearer tip of snout than base of caudal fin; 14 or 15 scales in a
series before dorsal fin
;
lateral line complete
;
scales, 35 or 36
;
anal rays, usually 8, seldom 9
;
suout blunt; mouth small. Color, dark above
;
outline of scales on upper part of body very
distinct; dark lateral band present, passing around snout on upper jaw only. Waverly
(Shellrock River), Austin (Minnesota), Dumont, Prairie Creek, and West Liberty, rare. This
species is usually found with Notropis heterodon Cope, and Notropis anogenus Forbes, and is
nowhere abundant. These three species are among the most feeble and insignificant of our
fresh-water fishes.
30. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Indian Creek, Cedar Rapids, and Dumont, common; Waverly
(Shellrock and Cedar rivers), not common; West Liberty, Prairie Creek, and Palo, rare.
31. Notropis topeka Gilbert. Waverly (Cedar River) and Shellrock (Waverly), rare. This species
resembles Notropis deliciosus, but has smaller eyes and a more compressed body.
32. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Palo, abundant; Shellrock River, at Waverly, very common
Waverly (Cedar River) and Dumont, common; Cedar Rapids, not common; Prairie Creek,
rare; West Liberty. This species is one of the most abundant in Iowa, and is found in clear,
running water.
33. Notropis whipplei (Girard). West Liberty and Prairie Creek, abundant; Cedar Rapids, com-
mon
;
head, 4 ; depth, 4 to 44 ; scales, 36 to 38. Waverly, Cedar River, and Dumont, common;
Waverly (Shellrock River), rare
;
lateral line, 35.
34. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Common shiner. West Liberty, Shellrock River at Waverly,
Palo, and Dumont, abundant; Waverly (Cedar River), Indian Creek, Prairie Creek, and
Cedar Rapids, common. This species is variable. The scales before the dorsal fin are
usually small. In most of the specimens from Missouri and Arkansas the scales before the
dorsal are large.
234 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISII COMMISSION.
35. Notropis jejunus (Forbes). Cedar Rapids, rare. Head, 4 in length of the body
;
depth, 4| to 4J;
body robust; snout bluntisb; mouth a little oblique; dorsal (origin of first ray) nearer tip
of snout than base of caudal fin
;
14 or 15 scales before the dorsal
;
scales in the lateral line,
36 or 37
;
diameter of the eye equal to the length of the snout
; 34 in the length of the head
;
anal rays, 6 or 7, usually 7 ; lateral line slightly decurved. As regards form and color this
species very much resembles H. nuchalis Agassiz.
36. Notropis ardens (Cope). 1ledfin. Indian Creek, common; scales, 43 to 49; anal rays, 11 or 12;
depth, 3f to 4f; the larger specimens are the deeper; occasionally one is found whose
depth is 5. Dumont, not common; scales, 45 to 48; anal rays, 10 or 11. Prairie Creek,
Waverly (Skellrock River), and Palo, rare. Austin, rare; scales, 42 to 49. This species is
rather rare in Iowa. It is very variable and seems to vary greatly with age. The smaller
specimens are light-colored and slender, the larger .very dark. The number of scales in the
lateral line vary much. The dark at the base of the dorsal fin is always present, but in
some specimens it is more distinct than in others.
37. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Waverly (Cedar River); head, 44; depth, 54;
specimens rather darker than usual. Austin (Minnesota) and Waverly (Shellrock River),
common; Indian Creek and West Liberty, rare; Dumont, common. Diameter of eye equals
the length of the snout, 34 in the head. Cedar Rapids, common; head, 44
;
depth, 4f; scales
in the lateral line, 38
;
dorsal midway between the pupil and base of caudal fin
;
anal rays,
10 or 11.
38. Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque. Waverly (Shellrock River), rare; some specimens are very
slender. Indian Creek, common
;
the longest specimens are 34 inches in length
;
anal
rays, 9 to 11, usually 10
;
base of first dorsal ray midway between base of caudal fin and eye
;
18 to 20 scales before dorsal fin; eye 34, equal to the snout; mouth large; maxillary reach-
ing past the front of the orbit; snout pointed; lower jaw slightly the longer; scales in
lateral line, 40 to 43. Cedar Rapids, common. These specimens agree with the above. The
body is usually deeper than in N. dilectus; sides with a broad plumbeous band. This species
is closely related to the preceding.
39. Phenacobius mirabilis (Girard). Indian Creek, West Liberty, Palo, and Cedar Rapids, rare.
40. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed dace. Palo and Mount Yernon, rare.
41. Hybopsis dissimilis (Kirtland). Cedar Rapids and Waverly (Shellrock River), rare. Waverly
(Cedar River), common. Near the shore in shallow water many specimens were taken, but
none were obtained from other points in the stream.
42. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Prairie Creek, rare.
43. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyliead ; River chub; Jerker. Waverly (Shellrock
River) and Palo, common. Indian Creek, West Liberty, Waverly (Cedar River), Dumont,
and Cedar Rapids, rare.
44. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace; Creek chub. Indian Creek, West Liberty,
Palo, Dumont, Mount Yernon, and Cedar Rapids, rare.
45. Leuciscus elongatus ? (Kirtland). Palo (Dry Creek). Only one specimen, measuring 44 inches in
length was taken. Teeth, 5-5, slightly hooked at the tip, no grinding surface
;
edges beveled,
making a cutting edge. Body elongate,
(
slender
;
dorsal fin midway between tip of snout and
base of caudal fin
;
mouth terminal, oblique, rather large, but smaller than in L. elongatus
from Yellow River. Scales on anterior portion of the body smaller than rest of scales.
About 35 scales in a series before dorsal fin
;
lateral line decurved
;
scales in the lateral line,
54; dorsal fin above ventrals ; dorsal rays, 8 ; anal rays, 8 ; maxillary reaching to the front of
the orbit. Diameter of eye nearly equal to length of snout, 4 in the head
;
head, 3§.in length
of body; depth, 4-). Color, plain olivaceous, lighter below; fins with a tinge of yellowish.
46. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Golden shiner; Bream; Roach. Indian Creek, rare;
anal rays, 13; dorsal, 8; scales in the lateral line, 41. West Liberty, Waverly (Shellrock
River), Palo, Dumont, and Cedar Rapids, rare.
47. Hiodon tergisus Le Sueur. Hoon-eye ; Toothed herring. Cedar Rapids, rare.
48. Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur). Gizzard shad ; Hickory shad ; Mud shad. Palo (Cedar River),
one specimen taken from a bayou
;
Cedar Rapids, rare.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 235
49. Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Broolc trout. A few specimens are occasionally caught in
McCloud Run, near Cedar Rapids, which, is fed by a large spring. In former years a great
many fishes were hatched artificially at this place, and the trout now taken were probably
introduced at that time.
50. Fundulus zebrinus Jordan and Gilbert. Dumont, rare.
51. Zygonectes notatus (Rafinesque). Top-minnow. Indian Creek, rare; anal rays, 11 to 13 ; scales,
34. Cedar Rapids, rare. This species is always found sparingly, sometimes in clear water,
but usually among weeds.
52. Zygonectes dispar Agassiz. West Liberty, common in bayou. Anal rays, 1L; dorsal, 7 or 8;
scales, 33; head, 3f; depth, 4, with 10 bars; dark blotch on side of head includes eye in alL
specimens.
53. Umbra lirni (Kirtland). Mud, minnow; Dogfish. Dumont, rare. This species is found in isolated
ponds near the streams.
54. Lucius vermiculatus (Le Sueur). Little pickerel
.
West Liberty, common iu bayou; Palo, rare,
taken in a small bayou; Cedar Rapids, common in the Slough.
55. Lucius lucius (Linnaeus). Pike ; Northern pickerel. Waverly (Cedar and Sliellrock rivers), com-
mon
;
found along the banks of the stream among the weeds and grass
;
Dumont, abundant,
taken from the lake; Cedar Rapids, common in the river and Slough.
56. Anguilla chrysypa (Rafinesque). Common eel. This species is occasionally taken by anglers
near Cedar Rapids, and during last summer one angler is said to have captured over 40
specimens at that place. Rev. Mr. Parmont informs me that quite a number have been
obtained from the Cedar River near Waterloo during the past spring (1891). Many speci-
mens have also been planted in the Cedar River by Mr. Shaw, of Cedar Rapids.
57. Bucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook stickleback. Waverly, rare, taken from a small spring
brook tributary to the Cedar River; Mount Vernon, a few specimens from a small pond.
58. Labidesthes sicculus Cope. Brook silverside. West Liberty, Cedar Rapids, and Cedar River at
Waverly, common; Shellrock River at Waverly, Mount Vernon, and Indian Creek, rare.
59. Pomoxis sparoides (Lacep&de). Calico bass; Grass bass ; Strawberry bass. West Liberty,Waverly
(Shellrock River), Cedar Rapids, and Dumont, common
;
Palo (bayou), not common; Indian
Creek, rare.
60 Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque. Crappie; Bachelor. Cedar Rapids, not common; Waverly (Shell-
rock River), rare. This species is much less abundant than the preceding in the Cedar basin,
but in the Des Moines River at Des Moines the opposite is true.
61. Chaenobryttus gulosus (Cuv. and Val.). War-mouth; Red-eyed bream. West Liberty and Cedar
Rapids, common
;
taken from grassy bayous.
62. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock bass ; Red-eye ; Goggle-eye. Cedar Rapids and Dumont,
common; Waverly (Cedar River) and Shellrock River, rare.
63. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfish. Prairie Creek, abundant; West Liberty, Palo,
Dumont, and Cedar Rapids, common; Indian Creek and Waverly (Cedar and Shellrock
rivers), rare.
64. Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque. Waverly (Cedar River) and Dumont, rare.
65. Lepomis humilis (Girard). Red-spotted sunfish. Cedar Rapids, rare.
66. Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Blue sunfish. Indian Creek, West Liberty, Waverly (Cedar River),
Palo, and Cedar Rapids, common; Waverly (Shellrock River), rare.
67. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared sunfish. Dumont, rare. “Ear-flap” with pale
margin
;
cheeks with blue stripes
;
yellow spots on the soft dorsal
;
scales in lateral line, 35.
68. Lepomis holbrooki (Cuv. and Val.). Cedar Rapids, rare
;
West Liberty, common. Body deep,
much as in L. megalotis, but more compressed; mouth small; maxillary reaching to the front
of the eye
;
opercular flap small, its posterior margin red
;
teeth blunt, almost paved
;
brown-
ish and bluish stripes on the cheeks; dorsal, 10-11; scales, 40 to 42; head, 3; depth, 2 to 21;
sides with brownish or orange spots
;
impaired fins spotted
;
eye, 3f to 3^ in head. This species
was quite common in the large bayou near the river.
69. Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus). Common sunfish; Pumpkin-seed. Indian Creek, not common;
lateral line, 40. Waverly (Shellrock River), rare. Cedar Rapids, rare in the river, common
in the Slough.
236 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
70. Micropterus dolomieu Lac6peae. Small-mouthed Mach bass. Cedar Rapids, Dumont, Indian
Creek, and Waverly (Shellrock River), common; Palo, rare. This species usually lives in
clear, running water. The next species is more abundant in sloughs or in water with
sluggish current.
71. Micropterus salmoides (Lac6p5de). Large-moutlied blade bass. Palo, Cedar Rapids, Waverly,
(Shellrock and Cedar rivers), and West Liberty (slough), common; Indian Creek, rare.
72. Etheostoma pellucidum clarum (Jordan and Meek). Cedar River, rare. The specimens agree
very well with the description of individuals taken at Ottumwa by Jordan and Meek in 1884.
73. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Indian Creek, West Liberty, Waverly (Shell-
rock and Cedar rivers), Palo, Dumont, Prairie Creek, and Cedar Rapids, abundant. This
is by far the most abundant darter in Iowa.
74. Etheostoma caprodes (Rafinesque). Log perch. Waverly (Shellrock) and Cedar Rapids, rare.
Dorsal, 14 or 15
;
lateral line with 85 scales.
75. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Blade-sided darter. Indian Creek, not common; some
specimens have a very large head and slender body. West Liberty, Waverly (Shellrock and
Cedar rivers), and Dumont, rare. Prairie Creek and Cedar Rapids, common.
76. Etheostoma phoxocephalum Nelson. Palo and Cedar Rapids, rare.
77. Etheostoma evides Jordan and Copeland. Cedar Rapids, rare.
78. Etheostoma zonale (Cope). Indian Creek, common. Breast, cheeks, opercles, and nape scaly;
dorsal, XI-11
;
scales, 43. Cedar Rapids,Waverly (Cedar and Shellrockrivers), and Dumont,
rare.
79. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Indian Creek, Palo, and Cedar Rapids, not common. The
lateral stripes are very distinct on all Iowa specimens.
80. Etheostoma coeruleum Storer. Indian Creek, common. Cedar Rapids, not common. Scales,
45; dorsal, IX-X, 12. Waverly (Cedar and Shellrock rivers), not common. A few speci-
mens of spectabile form.
81. Etheostoma jessiae Jordan and Brayton. Indian Creek and Cedar Rapids, rare. Scales, 49;
cheeks scaly; dorsal, X-12; scales in the lateral line, 49.
82. Etheostoma iowae Jordan and Meek. Indian Creek, common. Color of male, light yellowish
or olivaceous, very light below, dark above
;
upper two-thirds of body specked
;
sided with
twelve dark vertical bars. The first bar is above and behind the opercle, the last one (very
faint) at base of caudal fin. Between these dark bars are golden bars, which extend rather
irregularly on sides of belly. Cheeks mottled with dark, a dark band extending downward
and forward from the eye, and also upward and backward from the eye. Spinous dorsal
dark at base and margin; the rest of the fin is red; soft dorsal with about five rows of
brownish spots
;
caudal and pectoral fins also barred, golden at base of the latter
;
ventral®
and anal white. Color of females similar to males, but the dark bars are less conspicuous,
the markings more reticulated
;
no golden bars; all fins except ventrals barred with brown
spots. Dorsal fin, cheeks, and opercles scaly
;
breast naked
;
scales in the lateral line, 55 to
58; head, 4; D., 5J to 5f. Shellrock River, Waverly, and Dumont, rare. This species is
common in Iowa, but so far as known its distribution is limited to the State whose name it
bears.
83. Etheostoma microperca Jordan and Gilbert. Least darter. West Liberty, rare. D., VII-9.
84. Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill). Wall-eyed pike ; Jack salmon. This species is known in Iowa
by the name of pike.
85. Stizostedion canadense (C. H. Smith). Sauger; Sand pike. Both this and the preceding species
are occasionally taken in the Cedar River, but I have only observed the former. They are
less abundant now than formerly.
86. Perea flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow perch. Dumont, common in the lake; Cedar Rapids, rare.
87. Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. Fresh-water drum. This species seems to be quite common
near Cedar Rapids in the spring. I have never caught any with the seine, but have seen
many specimens that were taken with hook and line below the dam at Cedar Rapids.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 237
VI.—CLEAR LAKE.
Clear Lake is situated near the source of the Cedar and Iowa rivers, its outlet
being a tributary of the Shellrock Biver. Its greatest length is about miles and its
greatest width about 2 miles. Its longest diameter is east and west. The lake is
quite shallow, not exceeding 20 feet in depth, while the greater part of it is less than
10 or 12 feet deep. Portions of the lake contain considerable vegetation. At the
time of our visit the water was about 4 feet lower than usual, and no water was flow
ing in or out. The inlets are very small streams and the water in the lake was below
the level of their sources. The chief game fishes are both species of the black bass,
the wall-eyed pike, perch, and the pickerel. We collected at different points near the
shore.
THE FISHES OF CLEAR LAKE.
1. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Roach; Golden shiner; Bream. Rare.
2. Fundulus zebrinus Jordan and Gilbert. Rare.
3. Labidesth.es sicculus Cope. Brook silverside. Common.
4. Lucius lucius ^Linnaeus). Pickerel.
5. Poxomis sparoides (Lacepbde). Calico bass; Grass bass; Strawberry bass. Not abundant; said
to be taken frequently by anglers.
6. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock bass; Red-eye; Goggle-eye. About as common as the
preceding.
7. Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Blue sunfish. Not common.
8. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Not abundant.
9. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Abundant.
10. Notropis hudsonius (De Witt Clinton). Spawn-eater. Abundant. Snout blunt; month mod-
erate and slightly oblique
;
back arched; dorsal over ventrals and nearer snout than base of
caudal; eye large, its diameter three in the head and nearly twice the length of the snout;
15 to 17 scales before dorsal fin
;
head, 4^ in length of body; depth, 4 to 41 ; scales, 38 to 40;
teeth, 2, 4-4, 2, or 2, 4-4, 1, hooked at tips with grinding surface. This species is found in
large numbers in Clear Lake, Spirit Lake, and the Okobojis, and is the minnow used as bait
by the anglers. I have taken it in the Big Sioux River at Sioux City, but not elsewhere
than in the localities above mentioned.
11. Micropterus dolomieu Lacdpbde. Small-moutlied black bass. This species and the next are fre-
quently taken by anglers. We caught many
.
young specimens in our small nets.
12. Micropterus salnioides (Lacepede). Big-mouthed black bass. About as abundant as the preced-
ing. Specimens taken by us were small and came from the shallow and warmer water.
13. Btheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Abundant.
14. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Rare.
15. Perea flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow perch. Abundant.
16. Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill). “ Pike.” Said to be common. A few were caught by a fisher-
man the day of our visit.
238 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
VII.—THE WAPSIPINICON RIVER.
The Wapsipinicon is the next river of importance north and east of the Cedar
River and has the same general trend. It also closely resembles the Cedar Kiver in
physical characteristics, but is only one-half to two-thirds as large. At Independence
the current is about as strong as in the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids. The bottom is
rocky just below the dam, but farther down becomes sandy. Our collections were
made on sandy bottom. At Anamosa the river is larger and deeper, the current more
moderate, and the bottom is sandy and muddy. At the time of our visit the water
was too high to permit of seining in the main river, and our collections at this point
were obtained in a tributary called Buffalo River. The latter is a moderately large
creek, about 30 to 50 feet wide, with sandy and muddy bottom, the depth seldom
exceeding 4 feet. The smaller fishes (minnows) were very abundant. Minnow Creek
is a small brook, flowing into Buffalo Creek
;
it has a rocky and sandy bottom, with
much grass
;
only a few fishes were found in it and they were combined with those
obtained from Buffalo River. Rot far from Buffalo River there is a small bayou which is
connected with it at times of high water; in this bayou young sunfishes (L. pallidus)
were very abundant. At Wheatland the bottom of the river is very sandy, and in a
few places near where it was visited it was shallow enough to permit <5f fording. Sev-
eral bayous near the river were also examined.
FISHES OF THE WAPSIPINICON RIVER.
1. Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). Common gar-pike; Long-nosed gar; Bill-fish. Wheatland, com-
mon in bayous. A few specimens were also taken in the river.
2. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel cat; White cat; Silver cat. Wheatland, common in
the river. All the specimens were small.
3. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common catfish. Independence, common in bayous. Anal
rays, 22.
4. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Wheatland, very abundant in bayous
;
Independence,
abundant in bayous
;
Anamosa, common.
5. Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuv. and Yal.). Bed-mouthed buffalo. Wheatland, common in bayous.
6. Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quillback; Carp sucker. Wheatland, abundant in bayous and
common in the river. Independence, common
;
dorsal rays, 23 to 27. Anamosa, common
;
scales, 36; the specimens taken were- all small.
7. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Wheatland, a few specimens from bayous aud
creek. Anamosa, abundant. Scales, 63 to 65.
8. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker; Stone-roller; Hog mullet. Independence, common;
Anamosa, not common. Scales, 54.
9. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse; Mullet. Wheatland, Independence, and
Anamosa, not common. At Independence, dorsal rays, 14; scales, 40 to 43. At Anamosa,
scales, 54.
10. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Wheatland, abundant; Independence, rare.
11. Hybognathus nubila (Forbes). Anamosa, common. Scales, 36 to 38; eye, 3 iu bead; about 13
scales before dorsal fin.
12. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. Wheatland, rare
;
Independence, rare, taken only
in the slough.
13. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Anamosa, abundant; Wheatland, not
common; Independence, rare.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 239
14. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Silver-fin. Wheatland, rare.
15. Notropis cayuga Meek. Wheatland, rare.
16. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Independence, common; 15 to 17 scales before dorsal lin. Ana-
mosa, abundant.
17. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Wheatland, common; Independence, rare; Anamosa,
abundant.
18. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Wheatland, common; Independence, abundant
;
scales, 37 to 40
;
depth, 31 to 44 in length. Anamosa, abundant; scales, 38 to 40.
19. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Shiner. Anamosa, abundant; scales, 40 to 45; scales before
dorsal, small.
20. Notropis ardens (Cope). Bedfin. Wheatland and Anamosa, not common.
21. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Wheatland, abundant; Independence and Ana-
mosa, rare.
22. Hybopsis dissimilis (Kirtland). Independence, rare; scales, 43 to 45
;
body with irregular dark
markings.
23. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Wheatland, common; found only in the river current.
24. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead. Anamosa, common; scales, 45.
25. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Golden shiner; Bream; Boacli. Wheatland, common in
bayous; anal rays, 12 to 13. Independence, abundant in a small bayou; anal rays, 12 to 14;
scales, 47 to 51
;
largest specimens, 3^ inches in length. Anamosa, common ; anal rays, 11 to
14; scales, 50.
26. Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur). Gizzard sliad; Hickory shad; Mud shad. Wheatland (bayous),
rare.
27. Zygonectes notatus (Rafinesque). Top-minnow. Wheatland (bayous), rare.
28. Lucius lucius (Linnaeus). Pike; Northern pickerel. Independence, common.
29. Labidesthes sicculus Cope. Brook silverside. Wheatland, not common.
30. Pomoxis sparoides (Lac6pede). Calico bass; Grass bass; Strawberry bass. Wheatland, not com-
mon; Independence, common; Anamosa, rare.
31. Pomoxis annularis (Rafinesque). Crappie; Bachelor. Wheatland, common in bayous.
32. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Bock bass; Bed-eye; Goggle-eye. Wheatland, rare.
33. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfi,sh. Wheatland, abundant in bayous. Independ-
ence, common
;
anal rays and dorsal fins margined with yellow. Anamosa, abundant in a
bayou.
34. Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Blue sunfish. Wheatland, common in bayous
;
Independence and
Anamosa, abundant. The young were very abundant in a slough at last-mentioned place.
35. Lepomis gibbosus (Linnseus). Common sunfish; Pumpkin-seed. Wheatland, common in bayous.
Ear flap with a red blotch
;
cheeks with wavy blue lines
;
scales, 38 to 40
;
dorsal rays, X-10.
36. Micropterus dolomieu LacdpiJde. Small-mouthed black bass. Wheatland, common; Independ-
\ ence and Anamosa, rare.
37. Micropterus salmoides (Lac6p&de). Large-mouthed black bass. Wheatland, less common than the
above; Independence, not common; Anamosa, rare.
38. Etheostomapellucidumclarum Jordan andMeek. Wheatland,rare
;
Independence, onespecimen.
39. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Wheatland and Independence, not common.
Anamosa, abundant
;
dorsal, VII or IX-12 to 14, usually IX-13 ; scales, 48 to 50.
40. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Black-sidecl darter. Anamosa, rare.
41. Etheostoma cceruleum Storer. Anamosa, common in Minnow Creek.
42. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Anamosa, common; stripes conspicuous.
240 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
VIII.—THE MAQUOKETA RIVER.
The Maquoketa Biver lies north and east of the Wapsipinicon. It is somewhat
smaller than the latter, but has about the same physical characteristics. We visited
the North Fork near Worthington and the South Fork near Manchester andHopkinton.
The bottom in both was sandy, with very little mud.
Spring Branch, near Manchester, is a small spring brook, the temperature of
which is said not to exceed 60° F. Many brook trout are caught in it every year.
Spring Creek at Delhi is a small brook of no special importance. It becomes
nearly dry in summer and has a very muddy bottom.
FISHES OF THE MAQUOKETA RIVER.
1. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Worthington and Manchester, not common.
2. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Hopkinton and Worthington, rare; Delhi and
Manchester, common.
3. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker ; Stone-roller ; Hog mullet. Hopkinton, not common
;
Manchester, common.
4. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse; “Mullet.” Hopkinton, not common;
Worthington, common; Manchester, abundant.
5. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. Hopkinton, rare; scales, 50.
Delhi and Worthington, not common; Manchester, rare.
6. Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Bed-bellied minnow. Worthington, rare
;
Delhi, very
common
;
Manchester (Spring Branch), common.
7. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Delhi, common.
8. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. Hopkinton, abundant; Worthington, common;
Delhi, not common; Manchester, common in small bayou near Spring Branch.
9. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Hopkinton and Worthington, rare;
Delhi, not common
;
Manchester, rare.
10. Notropis heterodon (Cope). Manchester, rare.
11. Notropis cayuga Meek. Hopkinton, rare.
12. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Worthington, abundant; eye large, 3 to 3J in head; snout very
short and blunt. Manchester and Hopkinton, rare.
13. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Hopkinton, abundant; Worthington, not common; Delhi
and Manchester, common.
14. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Hopkinton, rare; Manchester, common.
15. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Common shiner. Hopkinton, not common; Worthington, com-
mon; scales before dorsal small. Delhi and Manchester, common.
16. Notropis ardens (Cope). Redfin. Hopkinton, not common
;
dorsal fin tipped with red, all other
fins red, red on opercle region; body bluish, tinted with red. Worthington, rare. Delhi,
rare; length, 2J- inches ; scales, from 45 to 54; about 30 scales before the dorsal; anal rays, 11;
dorsal, 8; head, 4^; depth, 4 to 4j. This species seems exceedingly variable and is nowhere
abundant. Manchester, rare.
17. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Hopkinton, common; Worthington, abundant:
18 to 22 scales before dorsal. In some specimens, the scales nearest the nape are smaller
than those on otherparts of the body. Scales, 40; anal rays, 10-11, usually 10, sometimes 9
plumbeous band very distinct
;
head, 4 to
;
depth, 5f ; eye, 3§-. There are probably included
under this name more than one species from Iowa. A careful study of more specimens than
I have at present is needed to determine this fact.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 241
18. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed dace. Worthington, rare; Delhi, common in
Spring Branch; no distinct, dusky hands on sides; scales, 60 to 63.
19. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead; River chub; Jerker. Worthington, rare ; Man-
chester, common.
20. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace ; Creek chud). Hopkinton and Worthington,
rare; Delhi, common; Manchester, more abundant in Spring Branch than in the river;
scales, 63.
21. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Golden shiner; Bream; Roach. Hopkinton, common:
taken in a laTge bayou. Manchester, rare.
22
.
Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook stickleback. Hopkinton, rare; Worthington, common;
dorsal spines usually 5, occasionally 4 or 6. Delhi common ; dorsal spines 4 or 6, usually 5.
Manchester, rare; taken in a small bayou near Spring Branch.
23. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfisli. Hopkinton, abundant; Worthington, common;
Delhi, rare; Manchester, common in small bayou near Spring Branch.
24. Lepomispallidus (Mitchill). Blue sunfisli. Worthington, rare.
25. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared sunfisli. Hopkinton, rare.
26. Micropterus dolomieu Lacdphde. Small-mouthed black bass. Manchester, rare ; said to be abun-
dant in the lake above the dam.
27. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Hopkinton, rare; Worthington, not common;
Delhi, abundant; Manchester, common.
28. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Black-sided darter. Hopkinton and Manchester, rare.
29. Etheostoma zonale (Cope). Manchester, rare; scales, 50.
30. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Worthington, not common; Delhi, common; stripes on
sides conspicuous.
31. Etheostoma microperca (Jordan and Gilbert). Leastdarter. Delhi, common; Manchester, rare.
IX.—THE TURKEY RIVER.
The Turkey River at Elkport flows through a much broken country. Its current is
strong and its bottom sandy or rocky, with very little mud. In this region the river
is bordered in many places by cliffs. Its temperature was 74° E.
Bear Creek is a spring brook, which has a temperature of 65° E. It also flows
through a very broken region. In several large springs near the creek the tempera-
ture was 50° E. Some trout were planted in the creek a few years ago, but they have
not been seen since.
At Fort Atkinson the Turkey River has a sandy bottom and flows through a much
less heavily timbered and uneven country than at Elkport.
The Yolga River is a large tributary of the Turkey, which at Fayette has a sandy
bottom with a few rocks and little mud. Its temperature was 70° F.
F. C. B. 1890—16
242 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
FISHES OF THE TURKEY RIVER.
1. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead, Fort Atkinson, rare.
2. Ictiobussp. Elkport, common; scales, 43; dorsal rays, 26
;
color, silvery.
3. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Elkport, rare; Bear Creek and Fort Atkinson,
common.
4. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker; Stone-roller; Hog mullet. Elkport, not common
;
Bear Creek, Fort Atkinson, and Fayette, common.
5. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse; “Mullet.” Elkport, rare; very slender;
depth, 5 ; head, 4f ; scales, 48 ; dorsal rays, 14 ; eye, 4 in head ; caudal fin with faint dark
margin; color light silvery below, bluish silvery above. Fort Atkinson, not common. Fayette,
common
;
dorsal rays, 12
;
scales, 43.
6. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. Elkport, not common; Bear
Creek, Fort Atkinson, and Fayette, common.
7. Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Red-bellied minnow. Bear Creek, abundant.
8. Hybognathus nubila (Forbes). Fayette, not common.
9. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Elkport, Fort Atkinson, and Fayette,
common
;
Bear Creek, rare.
10. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. Fort Atkinson, not common.
11. Notropis heterodon (Cope). Bear Creek and Fayette, rare.
12. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Elkport and Fayette, common; Fort Atkinson, rare.
13. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Elkport and Fort Atkinson, common; Fayette, rare.
14. Notropis vrhipplei (Girard). Elkport, not common.
15. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Common shiner. Elkport, common. Bear Creek, common;
scales before dorsal fin small. Fort Atkinson and Fayette, abundant.
16. Notropis jejunus (Forbes). Elkport, common; form and appearance of H. nuchalds; side with
prominent plumbeous lateral band; no caudal spot; head, 4; depth, 4f to 5; snout bluntish;
mouth oblique; diameter of eye equal to length of snout, 34 in the length of the head;
origin of first dorsal ray slightly nearer tip of snout than base of caudal; scales in lateral
line, 38; anal rays, 7. Fayette, rare.
17. Notropis ardens (Cope). Redfin. Elkport, rare; Fort Atkinson, common; anal rays, 11 or 12;
scales, 50.
18 . Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Elkport, abundant; Fort Atkinson, common.
19. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed dace. Bear Creek, abundant.
20. Hybopsis dissimilis (Kirtland), Elkport, rare.
21. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Elkport, rare.
22. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead; River chub; Jerker. Elkport, common.
23. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace; Creek chub. Bear Creek, abundant; Fort
Atkinson, rare; Fayette, common.
24. Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook stickleback. Fort Atkinson, rare ; dorsal spines, 5.
25. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfish. Fort Atkinson, common; Fayette, rare.
26. Micropterus dolomieu Lac6pfede. Small-mouthed black bass. Fort Atkinson, common ; Fayette,
scarce
;
said to be more frequently taken since the dam was washed out.
27. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Elkport, Bear Creek, and Fayette, rare; Fort
Atkinson, common.
28. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Black-sided darter. Fort Atkinson, rare.
29. Etheostoma zonale (Cope). Elkport, rare; Fort Atkinson, common.
30. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Bear Creek, common ; Fayette, rare.
31. Cottus bairdi (Girard). Blob; Miller’s thumb. Bear Creek, common; dorsal, VII-16 to VIII-17.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 243
X.—THE YELLOW RIVER.
Yellow River is a small stream in northeastern Iowa, whose source is only about
35 miles west of its mouth. It drains a comparatively small area, but flows through
a very broken and picturesque portion of the State. The river is usually bordered on
one side or the other with high cliffs of limestone and sandstone. The current is swift
and the bottom sandy, gravelly, or rocky. We visited the river northeast of Postville,
at which place it is from 20 to 40 feet wide and, except in an occasional hole, does not
exceed 4 feet in depth. The temperature was 70° F. Fishes are very abundant in
Yellow River,) although the number of species observed was small.
Hickory Greek is a small southern tributary of the Yellow River, rising on the
upland (prairie) near Postville. In the lower part of its course it is fed by many
springs, some of which are quite large. The creek never goes dry except on the
upland. The bottom is muddy in the upper part and very rocky in the lower. Its
temperature was 56° F.; the temperature of a large spring near by was 48° F. The
creek did not contain many fishes, as every rain caused it to become very muddy.
Were it not for this fact it could be made an excellent trout stream.
FISHES OF YELLOW RIVER.
1. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Yellow River, common.
2. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker; Stone-roller; Hog mullet. Yellow River, common;
Hickory Creek, rare.
3. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. Yellow River and Hickory
Creek, common.
4. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Bluni-noseil minnow. Yellow River, common.
5. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. Yellow River. Many specimens were taken from
a small bayou, but none from the stream.
6. Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Bed-bellied minnow. Yellow River, common; Hickory
Creek, abundant.
7. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Common shiner. Yellow River, more abundant than any
other species.
8. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Yellow River, not common; anal rays, 10; eye
small; about 20 scales before the dorsal fin.
9. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead ; River chub ; Jerker. Yellow River, common.
10. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed dace. Hickory Creek, rare. Scales, 60 to 64;
blackish and somewhat mottled above the lateral line, pale below.
11. Leuciscus elongatus (Kirtland). Bed-sided shiner. Yellow River, rare. Longest specimen, 3.)
inches
;
head, 3f in length of body ; lower jaw the longer ; scales small, 65 to 70 in the lateral
line; anal rays, 8 or 9. The specimens taken were all males, crimson on the sides.
12. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace. Hickory and Yellow Creek, not common.
13. Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook stickleback. Hickory Creek, common; some specimens
are black.
14. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Yellow river, common.
15. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Yellow River, common.
16. Etheostoma cceruleum Storer. Yellow River, rare.
17. Cottus bairdi Girard. Blob; Miller’s thumb. Hickory Creek, common.
244 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
XI.—THE UPPER IOWA RIVER.
The Upper Iowa is a small river which rises in the northeastern part of Iowa, the
distance from its source to its mouth being not more than 80 miles. In the upper half
of its course it is a typical prairie stream, but farther down it passes through a much
broken and timbered country and resembles somewhat a mountain stream. At Ches-
ter it is little more than a small creek, with a sandy and muddy bottom. There is a
dam across the river at this place, above which the river widens out to form a shallow
lake having a muddy bottom. There is considerable vegetation in the lake, which
seems to be fairly stocked with pickerel, black bass, and various species of sunfishes.
We were told that angling had greatly improved since the building of the dam. We
collected both above and below the dam. The temperature was 70° F.
At Decorah, the country is very broken, the river is more than twice as large as
at Chester, and there is an abundance of timber along its banks; the current is strong
and the bottom rocky or sandy. There are some caves near Decorah in which blind
fishes are said to occur. I was unable, however, at the time of my visit, to explore
any of them. Across the river from Decorah there is a high bluff or cliff, in which a
fracture, parallel with the face of the cliff, has formed a cave, known as the Ice Cave.
Ice is produced in this cave during the warm days of summer, but not at other times
of the year. Its formation is due, no doubt, to evaporation from the cliff. I visited
the cave in June, 1889, with Mr. Joseph White. The temperature of the air outside
was 90° F.
;
in the cave, about 10Q feet from the entrance, it was 32° F. Considerable
ice was observed. Tradition says that the old Winnishiek chief utilized the cave to
preserve meats and other food.
The upper Iowa River was formerly a trout stream, but of late years, so far as I
can learn, no trout have been taken from it. The collections at Chester were made
on July 24, 1890, and at Decorah, in June, 1889. The species enumerated below are
from both places, unless otherwise stated.
FISHES OF THE UPPER IOWA RIVER.
1. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Decorah, rare.
2. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Not common.
3. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse. Chester, not common. Dorsal rays, 14
:
scales, 45
;
color darker and less silvery than usual.
4. Campostoma anomaluni (Rafinesque). Stone-lugger; Stone-roller. Not common.
5. Pimephales promelas 'Rafinesque. Fat-head. Common.
6. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow
.
Common.
7. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Silver-fin. Rare.
8. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Decorah, rare.
9. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Decorah, rare.
10. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Common shiner. Common.
11. Notropis ardens (Cope). Bedfin. Common.
12. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow . Common.
13. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead; River chub; Jerker. Rare.
14. Rhinichthys cataractae (Cuv. and Val.). Long-nosed dace. Decorah, rare.
15. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed dace. Rare.
16. Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook stickleback. Chester, rare.
17. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared sunfish. Chester, rare.
18. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Decorah, common.
REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF IOWA. 245
DRAINAGE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER.
I.—THE MISSOURI RIVER.
The Missouri River at Sioux City is wide and shallow, with a rapid current, the
bottom being composed of shifting quicksand. There ar« also many islands at this
point, some composed of hard and others of soft materials. The water has a whitish
or creamy tint, due to the fine silt held in suspension. The fishes when taken from
the river have a pale or sickly appearance, but if placed for a time in clear water they
assume their normal colors. The seining was done close by some islands, near the
mouth of the Big Sioux River.
FISHES OF THE MISSOURI RIVER.
1. Polyodon spathula (Walbaum). Paddle-fiisli; Spoon-bill; Duck-billed cat. One specimen of this
species is preserved in the agricultural college at Ames, Iowa. It was taken from the
Missouri River in Harrison County, by E. G. Taylor, of Logan, Iowa. Specimens are
occasionally caught near Sioux City,
2. Scaphirhynchus platyrhinchus (Rafinesque). Sliovel-nosed sturgeon. Common.
3. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel cat; White cat; Silver cat. Common.
4. Nocturus flavus (Rafinesque). Stone cat. Common. Anal rays, 15; head, 4; depth, 6f; width
of head, 4£.
5. Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quillback; Carp sucker. Rare.
6. Hybognathus nu.chalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow.
\ 7. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Rare. The specimens secured in this locality
were small and differed somewhat from those obtained elsewhere in the State. The first
dorsal ray is midway between the nostril and the base of the caudal. Diameter of eye very
large, 3 in the head; snout short, two-thirds diameter of the eye; body more compressed
than usual in this species; scales 37, about 28 scales before the dorsal; head, 4-J; depth, 4f
;
color, bright olivaceous with faint plumbeous band overlaid with silvery. This species
very much resembles JSf. atlierinoides caddoensis Meek, of the Ozark region, but the speci-
mens at hand are too small for positive comparison.
8. Hybopsis gelidus (Girard). Abundant; the longest specimens measure 3 inches in length. Body
elongate, robust, not much compressed; dorsal region in front of dorsal fin compressed to
an edge; profile curved (convex) from snout to dorsal fin; snout bluntish, overhanging the
large horizontal mouth; barbels at posterior end of maxillary, long; eye small, high up, its
diameter 5 in head; caudal peduncle slender. Caudal fin deeply forked, the middle rays
less than half the length of the longest rays, the lower lobe dusky. Dorsal fin with first
ray rudimentary and less than half the height of the fin
;
the second ray produced into a
filament, which is from one-third to one-fourth as long as the entire ray. Dorsal rays, 8;
anal rays, 8. Head, 4£ in length; depth, 5£ to 5£; scales 45, about 18 scales before the
dorsal fin. The scales are smaller in this region than on the rest of the body. Teeth,
1, 4-4, 1, hooked and crenate. Lateral line complete ; color, light olivaceous with a very
faint plumbeous band on sides, overlaid by silvery, silvery luster very faint.
9. Platygobio gracilis (Richardson). Flat-lieaded chub. Common; length, 3f inches; scales, 50 to
54
;
teeth, 2, 4-4, 2, without grinding surface, hooked at the tips, the first tooth rather more
slender than the others; eye, 4 in the head; head, 4f ; depth, 5£; barbel well developed;
color, light olivaceous, silvery, no markings at all.
10. Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur). Gizzard shad; Hickory shad] Mud shad. Rare.
11. Hiodon alosoides (Rafinesque). Moon-eye; Toothed herring. Rare.
246 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
II.—THE BIG SIOUX RIVER.
The Big Sioux River, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has a very rocky bed above
the falls, while below the falls the bottom is both muddy and rocky. At Sioux City
the river is much larger and has a very muddy bottom. A short distance above its
mouth it widens into a sort of lake. There is some timber along the shores and con-
siderable vegetation in the lake. Our collections were made below the falls, at Sioux
Falls, in July, 1889, and near the mouth of the river, in the neighborhood of Sioux City,
in August, 1890.
FISHES OF THE BIG SIOUX RIVER.
1. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel cat, White cat ; Silver eat. Sioux City, common.
2. Noturus flavus (Rafinesque). Stone cat. Sioux Falls, one specimen. Dorsal rays, 14
;
pectoral
spine with retrorse serrae in front, grooved behind
;
head, 3f j depth, 6. Sioux City, rare.
3. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). Stone cat. One specimen; anal, 14; body short; adipose fin con-
tinuous with caudal; posterior part of adipose fin raylike; head, 3^; depth, 4; pectoral
spine entire.
4. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker
.
Sioux City, common.
5. Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quillback; Carp sucker. Sioux City, common.
6. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Common redhorse ; Mullet. Sioux Falls, rare; Sioux City,
common.
7. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow. Sioux City, rare.
8. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Sioux Falls, common
;
Sioux City, rare.
9. Notropis cayuga Meek. Sioux City, rare.
10. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Abundant.
11. Notropis topeka Gilbert. Sioux City, rare.
12. Notropis hudsonius (DeWitt Clinton). Sioux City, common.
13. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Sioux City, rare.
14. Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque. Rosy minnow. Sioux City, rare.
15. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Common shiner. Six specimens obtained.
16. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Emerald minnow. Sioux Falls, common.
17. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Hornyhead. Sioux Falls, common.
18. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Golden shiner; Bream; Roach. Sioux City, rare.
19. Hiodon alosoides (Rafinesque). Moon-eye; Toothed herring. Sioux City, rare.
20. Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur). Gizzard shad; Hickory shad; Mud shad. Sioux City, abundant.
21. Fundulus zebrinus Jordan and Gilbert. Sioux City, rare.
22. Percopsis guttatus Agassiz. Trout perch. Sioux City, rare.
23. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque); Rock ltass; Red-eye; Goggle-eye. Sioux Falls, rare; Sioux
City, common.
24. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfish. Sioux Falls, common
;
Sioux City, abundant.
25. Lepomis humilis (Girard). Red-spotted sunfish. Sioux Falls; Sioux City. Palatine teeth well
developed; scales, 35; opercular flap long and surrounded by a red margin. Abundant.
26. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Sioux City, common; Sioux Falls, abundant.
27. Etheostoma zonale (Cope). Sioux City, rare.
28. Etheostoma aspro (Cope and Jordan). Black-sided darter. Two specimens obtained.
29. Perea flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow perch. Sioux Falls, rare
;
Sioux City, common.
30. Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill). Wall-eyed pike; Jack salmon; Pike. Rare.
31. Stizostedion canadense (C. H. Smith). Pike; Sand pike. Common.
32. Roccus chrysops (Rafinesque). White bass. Sioux City, common.
33. Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. Fresh-water drum. Sioux City, common.
x
report upon the fishes of iowa. 247
III.—SILVER LAKE.
Silver Lake is one of tlie sources of the Little Sioux River. It is about 2 miles
long, 1 mile wide, and very shallow, its depth seldom exceeding 6 feet. It contains
very few game fishes. The larger game fishes are supposed to have been destroyed
by the cold winters of a few years ago. On the northern side of the lake there is a
small inlet with a very muddy bottom. We collected in the inlet and on the northern
shore of the lake, where the bottom is sandy.
FISHES OF SILVER LAKE.
1. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Abundant, especially in the inlet.
2. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Common.
3. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Flat-head. Very abundant.
4. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Shiner. Not common.
5. Notropis heterodon (Cope). Common. Mouth small, oblique, terminal; black on tip of both
jaws; back elevated; first ray of dorsal fin nearer snout than base of caudal by diameter of
eye
;
eye, 3 in head
;
head, 4 ; depth, 4 ; dark band on sides ; scales, 37 to 38 ; scales on upper
part of body edged with black
;
lateral line incomplete.
6. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). Golden shiner; Bream; Roach. Abundant in the inlet.
7. Fundulus zebrinus Jordan and Gilbert. Abundant; with 12 to 16 bands on the sides.
8. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared sunfish. One specimen obtained; flap with pale
margin; scales, 38.
9. Etheostoma iowae Jordan and Meek. Common.
10. Perea flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow perch. One specimen obtained.
11. Roccus chrysops (Rafinesque). White bass. One specimen obtained.
IV.—THE SOLDIER RIVER.
The Soldier River is a small tributary of the Missouri River in western Iowa. We
visited the East Fork of the Soldier River at Charter Oak, where it is a small creek
with very muddy bottom. Only the following fishes were obtained.
FISHES OF THE SOLDIER RIVER.
1. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead.
2. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery minnow.
3. Pimephaies promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head.
4. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek.
5. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace.
6. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfish.
248 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
V.—THE BOYER RIVER.
The Boyer River was visited at Arion Station, at which point it is a slow-flowing
stream with a very muddy bottom. The water is seldom clear. But few fishes were
found in the stream, but in a small bayou near by a number of species were obtained.
FISHES OF THE BOYER RIVER.
1. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Bullhead. Rare.
2. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker. Rare.
3. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. Common in the bayou.
4. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Abundant in the bayou.
5. Notropis topeka Gilbert. Common in the bayou.
6. Notropis gilberti Jordan and Meek. Abundant in the bayou. Scales before dorsal very small in
some specimens, the number being 16 to 20.
7. Notropis lutrensis (Girard). Rare.
8. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Shiner. Abundant in the bayou.
9. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned dace. Rare.
10. Phenacobius mirabilis (Girard). Rare. Scales, 44.
11. Percopsis guttatus Agassiz. Trout perch. Rare. Scales, 48 ; dorsal, XI-7 or 8.
12. Lucius lucius (Linnaeus). Pike; Northern pickerel. Rare.
13. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Green sunfish. Abundant in the bayou. The specimens
obtained were mostly very small.
14. Lepomis humilis (Girard). Red-spotted sunfish. Less abundant than L. cyanellus.
15. Etheostoma nigrum Rafinesque. Johnny darter. Rare.
Arkansas Industrial University,
Fayetteville
,
Arkansas.