Fishes of Idaho
The Study of Fish = Ichthyology
Early civilizations studied Fish Important as: Food Source Cultural Ceremonial
Why do we continue to Study Fish? Because they are important
*Ecologically – part of the web of life
*Provide jobs & Food – Yummm !
*Fishing is Fun !
*Fish are Interesting & Beautiful
Fish Fact: fish have two names 1. Common name: bluegill (bream, roach, shellcracker, sunfish, France = crapet) 2. Scientific name: Lepomis macrochirus
Fish Fact: there are more kinds of fish than kinds of birds + mammals + reptiles 28,800 different species
Many different Shapes:
More Shapes:
Many Different Sizes: Smallest = Infantfish 1/100 meter Largest = Whale shark 12 meters
Many Different Colors:
Many food preferences: = =
Anglers imitate insects with fur and feathers
Many Different Habitats: What makes this run a good habitat?
Three Main Habitats: 58% Live in Salt Water 41% Live in Fresh Water
The rest (1%) are Anadromous
The Path salmon swim from Idaho to the ocean and back again Riggins, ID to Pacific = 600 miles Stanley, ID to Pacific = 900 miles
How is this dam affecting migrating salmon? 75,000
Fish Fact: United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) 2,000 different species 40 now extinct
Fish Fact: Idaho 39 native fish species -1 extinct >60 exotic fish species
Fish Fact: Idaho has 8 Native Fish groups: 1. Sturgeon 2. Lamprey 3. Minnows 4. Suckers 5. Sculpin 6. Codfish 7. Trout-Perch 8. Whitefish/Trout/Salmon
1. Sturgeon = 1 2. Lamprey = 1 3. Minnows = Suckers = 6 5. Sculpin = 8 6. Codfish = 1 7. Trout-Perch = 1 8. Whitefish = 5 Trout = 3 Salmon: 3-1 extinct = 2
1. Sturgeon Idaho = White sturgeon
Sturgeon feed on salmon carcasses
1,500 pound Idaho Sturgeon
2. Lamprey Idaho = Pacific Lamprey
3. Minnows Ten (10) Species
4. Suckers Six (6) Species
5. Sculpin Eight (8) Species
6. Codfish Idaho = Burbot
Live in large lakes in Northern Idaho
7. Troutperch Idaho = Sandroller Adipose fin Adipose fin = unique to the sandroller, trout, whitefish, and salmon
8. Whitefish/Trout/Salmon Eleven (11) Species
Whitefish Five (5) Species
Mountain Whitefish
Trout Three (3) Species
= Cutthroat Trout What is the Idaho State Fish ?
Yellowstone Westslope
Bull Trout
Rainbow Trout
Anadromous Rainbow = Steelhead
Salmon Three (3) Species
Salmon Nest Salmon eggs are buried in gravel
After spawning, all salmon die & add nutrients to the streams
Chinook salmon = King salmon
97 pound Chinook Salmon from Alaska
Sockeye salmon = redfish
Redfish Lake
Coho salmon = extinct in Idaho
Habitat Use Different size fish live in different habitats
The Exotic Invaders = Fish not native to Idaho
How did Exotic Fish Come to Idaho ? People Brought them here
Bluegill
Perch
Bass
Northern Pike