IEPA ATTACHMENT NO.

THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY STUDY

INTERIM REPORT

1994 ICHTHYOPLANKTON INVESTIGATION

RM 276.2-321.7

Prepared for:

Commonwealth Edison Company

Environmental Services

One First National Plaza

Chicago, Illinois 60690

Prepared by:

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology

444 Lake Cook Road, Suite 18

Deerfield, IL 60015

April 1995

---

Greg Seegert

Project Director

2y

+

Date

1,/

THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY STUDY

INTERIM REPORT

1994 ICHTHYOPLANKTON INVESTIGATION

RM 276.2-321.7

Prepared for:

Commonwealth Edison Company

Environmental Services

One First National Plaza

Chicago, Illinois 60690

Prepared by:

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology

444 Lake Cook Road, Suite 18

Deerfield, IL 60015

?V 4,1 199s

Joe Vondruska

?

Date

Project Manager

Copyright, 1995, by Commonwealth Edison Company

All rights reserved.

April 1995

60799.01

---

'

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Page

vii

1. INTRODUCTION

1

1.1 OBJECTIVES

1

1.2

THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

1

1.3

THE

LOCAL FISH COMMUNITY

3

2.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

9

2.1

LIFE HISTORY REVIEW

OF

UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY FISHES

.

9

2.2 FIELD

9

2.2.1 Selection

of Sampling Locations

9

2.2.2 Selection

of Sampling Frequency

21

2.2.3 Selection

of Gear Types

21

2.2.3.1 Pump and Grid Sampling

25

2.2.3.2 Seining

26

2.2.3.3 Dipnetting

26

2.2.3.4 Towed Nets

26

2.2.3.5 Stationary Net

26

2.2.3.6 Light Trapping

27

2.2.3.7 Physical Examination of Vegetation

27

2.2.4 Physicochemical Measurements

27

2.3

LABORATORY

28

2.4

DATA HANDLING

28

3.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

29

3.1

OBSERVATIONS

OF

THE SYSTEM

29

3.1.1 Availability

of Mesohabitat Types

29

3.1.2 Seasonal

Temperatures

30

3.1.3 Seasonal

Dissolved Oxygen

32

3.2

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION

34

3.2.1 Overview

34

3.2.2 Potential

Spawners

35

3.2.3 Larval

and Juvenile Fishes

39

---

4.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont.)

Page

3.2.4 Fish Eggs

40

3.3 SPATIAL

AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION

41

3.3.1 Nonguarders

41

3.3.1.1 Pelagophils

41

3.3.1.2 Litho-pelagophils

48

3.3.1.3 Lithophils

49

3.3.1.4 Phyto-lithophils

54

3.3.1.5 Phytophils

56

3.3.1.6 Psammophils

60

3.3.2 Guarders:

Nest Spawners

63

3.3.2.1 Lithophils

63

3.3.2.2 Phytophils

67

3.3.2.3 Speleophils

68

REFERENCES

73

APPENDIX A: Life History Review

A-1

APPENDIX B: Location Descriptions and Gear Deployment

B-1

APPENDIX C: Summaries of the Number and Relative Abundance

of Ichthyoplankton

C-1

APPENDIX D: Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Values

D-1

APPENDIX E: Raw Data Listing

E-1

ii

---

LIST OF FIGURES

No.

Title

Page

1

Ichthyoplankton sampling locations in the Upper Illinois Waterway,

river miles 276.2-321.7

2

2 Spawning periods for fishes of the Upper Illinois Waterway

23

3 Temporal comparison of mean water temperatures among segments

31

4

Temporal comparison of mean dissolved oxygen values among segments 33

5 Comparisons of the period of occurrence for emerald shiner,

freshwater drum, and gizzard shad

44

6 Comparisons of the period of occurrence for selected

nonguarding lithophils

52

7 Comparisons of the period of occurrence for selected nonguarding

phyto-lithophils and phytophils

57

8 Comparisons of the period of occurrence for selected

nonguarding psammophils

61

9

Comparisons of the period of occurrence for selected guarding

nest spawners

66

iii

---

LIST OF TABLES

Title

Page

1

Composite list of fish species collected in the Upper Illinois Waterway

during Commonwealth Edison sponsored studies, 1971 to present

4

2

Reproductive guilds represented by Upper Illinois Waterway fishes

7

3

Study reaches for the Upper Illinois Waterway

10

4

Definitions and anticipated spawners of each mesohabitat of the

Upper Illinois Waterway

15

5

Ichthyoplankton sampling locations for the Upper Illinois Waterway 17

6

Percent composition of mesohabitat types present within each

reach of the Upper Illinois Waterway, RM 270-RM 324.3

20

7

Number of discrete sampling areas by segment and mesohabitat

22

8

Number and relative abundance of larval and juvenile fishes

collected during the ichthyoplankton study, 1994

36

9

Number and relative abundance of larval and juvenile fishes

collected within each study segment

42

10 Number

and relative abundance of larval and juvenile fishes

collected within each mesohabitat type

46

---

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This study of the Upper Illinois Waterway (UIW) for early life stages of fishes was conducted

during the spring and summer of 1994. The purpose was to determine what portion of the

Illinois River drainage fish community is currently using this physically limited and impacted

subunit of the system as a spawning or nursery area as well as when and where those uses

occur.

Prior to starting the field study, a cursory literature review was conducted on selected fish

species known to occur in the UIW. Information collected during this literature review was

used to select appropriate habitats and gears for the field study and determine sampling

frequency. Based on

the results of this literature review and the availability of various habitat

types within the UIW, 22 locations in the UIW were selected for sampling; eight in Lockport

Pool (RM 292.5 to RM

321.7), two in Brandon Pool (RM 286.3 and 292.8 [upper Des Plaines

River]), and 12 in upper Dresden Pool (RM 276.2 [Bear Island slough] to RM 285.8 [Brandon

Dam tailwater]). Habitat types that were sampled were: main channel border (seven

locations), main channel (five), backwaters (five), tributary mouth (two), and tailwater (three).

Sampling was conducted during the first and last weeks in April, weekly in May and June, and

biweekly in July and August. The following gear types were used: pump, grid (pumping

within a defined area), dip net, towed net, stationary net, light trap, seine, and physical

examination of vegetation. Except for light traps, all gears were fished during the day. All

gears were not used at all stations. Gear selection at each station was based on habitat

constraints and the larval assemblage expected. Up to 99 gear efforts were expended weekly

during the study and 1235 samples were collected. A voucher series was compiled and

verified by an outside expert. As part of a comprehensive review, EA compiled and

summarized life history accounts of 69 selected species in terms of: spawning date and

duration; spawning temperature; preferred spawning substrate and habitat; egg type; dispersal

of fry; and reproductive guild.

This .report identified 73 potential spawning species. These 73 species were assigned to 14

spawning guilds (Balon 1975) on the basis of the life history information as a means of

refining our expectations for habitat use by individual species.

Approximately one-half of the 29,407 fish eggs collected could be identified of which the great

majority were carp. Smaller numbers of carp/goldfish and freshwater drum eggs were also

taken. A total of 21,789 larval and young-of-the-year (YOY) fish was collected representing

at least 48 species and all 14 of the expected reproductive guilds. Because some larvae could

be identified only to the genus or family level, it is possible that as many as 62 species were

collected. The catch was dominated by

Lepomis

(26.0 percent), clupeidae (primarily gizzard

shad) (25.0 percent), carp and goldfish (primarily carp) (18.8 percent), and

Pimephales

(primarily bluntnose minnow) (18.5 percent). These taxa were also the most abundant taxa

during the 1994 adult fish study.

Spawning and nursery conditions in upper Dresden Pool are clearly superior to those in

Lockport and Brandon Pools. Species richness in upper Dresden Pool (37 species) was double

vii

---

the values in Lockport or Brandon Pools (17 and 15 species, respectively). Larvae and YOYs

were much more abundant in upper Dresden Pool (16,448 larvae/YOYs) than in Lockport or

Brandon Pools (2634 and 2707 larvae/YOYs, respectively). The reduced diversity and

abundance act seen in the larval fish community upstream of Brandon Road Lock and Dam is

consistent with the pattern seen for the adult fish community.

Distributions of larvae and YOYs among mesohabitats within pools were complex. While the

more common species or taxa were taken in most mesohabitat types, certain species or taxa

were sufficiently more common in certain mesohabitats to suggest a preference. The timing of

spawning for individual species or taxa also varied among pools. Virtually all species or taxa

considered spawned within the time period expected indicating that thermal input from

Commonwealth Edison power plants did not disrupt normal spawning patterns. However,

there was a clear tendency for spawning to occur earlier in the warmer upper Dresden Pool

than in the upper two pools.

viii

---

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 OBJECTIVES

This study of the Upper Illinois Waterway (UIW) for early life stages of fishes was conducted

during the spring and summer of 1994. The purpose is to determine what portion of the

Illinois River drainage fish community are currently using this physically limited and impacted

subunit of the system as a spawning or nursery area as well as when and where those uses

occur. The study is

NOT

intended to quantify the extent or success of spawning activity or

make quantitative comparisons with reproductive performance in other systems. To design a

sampling program that will define the occurrence of spawning and nursery utilization, we have

identified what appear to be the most important spatial and temporal constraints on spawning.

We also reviewed the literature on critical biological characteristics of prospective spawning

species that might help us locate the spawn. These spatial, temporal, and biological features

have been integrated to design a collection program that would collect all but the rarest of

spawn and that will enable us to correlate reproductive performance by species with temporal

and physical conditions by pool and habitat type.

1.2 THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The UIW is a series of reservoirs extending from the historic discharge point of the Chicago

River to Lake Michigan (Chicago Lock & Dam) downstream to Dresden Lock & Dam, a

distance of 53 miles (Figure 1). The system is patchwork of flow-regulated natural and

artificial channels operated to facilitate barge transport between Chicago and the Mississippi

River and provide a conduit for domestic and industrial wastes away from the Chicago

metropolitan area. UIW incorporates components of the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan

drainages and is directly accessible to both fisheries.

The

UIW

is divided into three pools - Lockport Pool, Brandon Pool, and Dresden Pool. There

are two major tributaries - the (upper) Des Plaines River which enters the Brandon Pool and

the Kankakee River which enters the Dresden Pool. Both major tributaries have a more

diverse resident fish assemblage than the respective pools they enter into. These two

tributaries may flush early life stages into the UIW. A third, unconventional "tributary" to the

system is the discharge from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. This contribution

enters the system in the Lockport Pool. While sufficient in volume to be considered a "major

tributary", this component is totally lacking in fish. There are also a number of minor

tributaries, the most important of which are the Du Page River, Jackson Creek, Grant Creek,

and the I&M Canal. Each provides living space for a local fish assemblage with unobstructed

access to the larger UIW.

Primary fish habitats in the system include the dredged main channel; main channel border;

side channel, backwaters, and off-channel embayments; areas of rooted vegetation; two

tailwater areas (one of which contains tailrace/riffle habitats and the other of which is

essentially a turbulent main channel); a tributary delta; and areas around the intakes and

discharges of power stations where flows and local water temperatures may be enhanced.

These habitat types are unevenly distributed among the pools with the Lockport and Brandon

1

---

Fisk Station

AE

321.0

RM

Willow

Springs

Crawford Station

Stickney

canal

Summit

AE

321.7 RM

e

MCB, MC

310.4 RM

MCB, MC

318.6 RM

MC

295.7 RM

04

Lemont

64/

HABITAT TYPES

MC Main Channel

MCB

Main Channel Border

SC Side Channel

S Slough

TM Tributary Mouth

TD Tributary Delta

AE

Artificial Embayment

TW Tailwater

LEGEND

SAMPLE TYPE AND SITE NUMBER

O

Sample Sites

RM # River Miles

N

Not to Scale

MCB

292.5 RM

Lockport Lock & Dam

Lockport

Romeoville

MI County

Station

TD

277.0 RM

7'M

292.8 RM

Joliet Station

#29

MCB

286.3 RM

Brandon Road

Lock & Dam

e

TW

285.4 RM

MCB, MC

=SS

RM

Jobe

♦

Station

9

MCB

284.4 RM

Figure 1. Ichthyoplankton sampling locations in the Upper Illinois Waterway, River Miles 276.2-321.7.

2

---

Pools providing primarily main channel habitat with vertical banks and there are few areas of

rooted vegetation or off-channel embayments. The Dresden Pool provides a substantially

greater diversity of habitats including the only side channel, slough, tributary delta, and

tailrace/riffle (i.e., Brandon Dam tailwater) habitats in the system. An analogous area (i.e.,

natural riffle/run) to the Brandon Dam tailwater exists in the upper Des Plaines River (a

tributary to Brandon Pool).

The UIW is considered "highly impacted" from a fisheries management perspective. In

addition to obstructions to fish movement posed by the two locks and dams, skewed habitat

distribution, and general lack of physical diversity in the upper reaches, the system is subject

to more-or-less continuous disturbance by the barge traffic. Water levels in the pools vary

substantially with operation of the locks and off-channel habitats suffer sediment resuspension

and surge effects. Long-term chemical contamination from a wide variety of domestic and

industrial sources is pervasive. Oxygen and ammonia concentrations in the water and surface

sediments are a concern and the burden of toxicants entrapped in the sediments is thought to be

substantial. Part of the flow is entrained through power plant condenser cooling system with

the associated physical stress and thermal enhancement. The relative importance of these

limitations in controlling the composition and species-abundance of the fishery and the gains

that might be achieved by specific changes in use-patterns are issues of debate.

1.3 THE LOCAL FISH COMMUNITY

While the UIW links two major North American drainages, its general physical characteristics

are such that species native to the Mississippi River drainage would be expected to inhabit the

system while many of the native Lake Michigan species would not. True cold-water Lake

Michigan residents such as the trout, salmon, and whitefish species are especially unsuited to

the UIW. Commonwealth Edison Company has been monitoring the fishery of the UIW since

1971. Fish species collected in the course of those programs are listed in Table 1. While the

fishery is only slightly less diverse than inhabits the parent drainages in terms of species

composition, many species abundant in the larger Illinois River system are rare or infrequent

captures in the UIW and many species have been collected only as adults. This implies that

the species able to successfully spawn in the UIW or that spawn in tributaries and can utilize .

the UIW as a nursery area are relatively few.

We determined the species viewed as "likely spawners" and separated them into reproductive

guilds (Balon 1975, 1981) according to the type of spawning habitat (especially substrate)

preferred (Table 2). We also reviewed the technical literature to establish characteristics of the

adults or spawn (Appendix A). Life history characteristics summarized in the review include:

spawning season, spawning temperature range, spawning location characteristics (Table 2),

spawning activities, parental care, egg type (i.e., adhesive, buoyant, etc.), dispersal of fry,

and selection of nursery areas.

This study used a variety of sampling gear types deployed in all major physical habitat types

and across the season of potential occurrence to fully identify fish species using the UIW as

spawning or nursery grounds.

3

---

Table 1. Composite List of Fish Species Collected in the Upper Illinois Waterway During Commonwealth

Edison Sponsored Studies, 1971 to present.

Native)

Collected As:

Relative

Common Name

Scientific Name

Drainage

Adult YOY('')

Abundance)

Longnose gar

Lepisosteus osseus

LM, M

X X('')

U

Shortnose gar

Lepisosteus platostomus

M

X -

R

Bowfin

Amia calva

LM, M

X -

R

American eel

Anguilla rostrata

LM(?),

M

X

-

H

Skipjack herring

Alosa chrysochloris

M

X X

U

Alewife

Alosa pseudoharengus

Exotic

X X

X

Gizzard shad

Dorosoma cepedianum

M

X X

A

Threadfin shad

Dorosoma petenense

Exotic

X X(`')

X

Goldeye

Hiodon alosoides

M

X

0

Mooneye

Hiodon tergisus

LM, M

X -

R

Coho salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Exotic

X -

X

Chinook salmon

Oncorhynchus tsawytscha

Exotic

X -

X

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Exotic

X

X

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

Exotic

X -

X

Brook trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

LM

X

X

Rainbow smelt

Osmerus mordax

Exotic

X X(``)

X

Central mudminnow

Umbra limi

LM, M

X -

X

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

LM, M

X X(`')

R

Northern pike

Esox lucius

LM, M

X

R

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

LM

X -

H,X

Central stoneroller

Campostoma anomalum

LM, M

X X

X

Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Exotic

X X

0

Red shiner

Cyprinella lutrensis

M

X -

U

Spotfin shiner

Cyprinella spiloptera

LM, M

X X

0

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

Exotic

X X

A

Striped shiner

Luxilus chrysocephalus

LM, M

X X

X

Common shiner

Luxilus cornutus

LM, M

X

H,X

Redfin shiner

Lythurus umbratilis

LM, M

X X

X

Speckled chub

Macrhybopsis aestivalis

M

X

R

Silver chub

Macrhybopsis storeriana

M

X

R

Hornyhead chub

Nocomis biguttatus

LM, M

X -

R

Golden shiner

Notemigonus crysoleucas

LM, M

X X(d)

U

Pallid shiner

Notropis amnis

M

X -

H,X

Emerald shiner

Notropis atherinoides

LM, M

X X

A

Silverjaw minnow

Notropis buccata

LM, M

X -

4

---

Table 1. (continued),

Common Name

Scientific Name

Native

Drainage

Collected As: Relative

Adult YOY°') Abundance)

Ghost shiner

Bigmouth shiner

Spottail shiner

Rosyface shiner

Sand shiner

Mimic shiner

Suckermouth minnow

Bluntnose minnow

Fathead minnow

Bullhead minnow

Rudd

Creek chub

River carpsucker

Quillback

Highfin carpsucker

White sucker

Blue sucker

Northern hog sucker

Smallmouth buffalo

Bigmouth buffalo

Black buffalo

Spotted sucker

Silver redhorse

River redhorse

Black redhorse

Golden redhorse

Shorthead redhorse

Greater redhorse

Oriental weatherfish

Black bullhead

Yellow bullhead

Brown bullhead

Channel catfish

Stonecat

Tadpole madtom

Flathead catfish

Trout-Perch

Notropis buchanani

Notropis dorsalis

LM, M

Notropis hudsonius

LM, M

Notropis rubellus

LM, M

Notropis stramineus

LM, M

Notropis volucellus

LM, M

Phenacobius mirabilis

Pimephales notatus

LM, M

Pimephales promelas

Pimephales vigilax

Scardinius erythrophthalmus

Exotic

Semotilus atromaculatus

LM, M

Carpiodes carpio

M

Carpiodes cyprinus

LM, M

Carpiodes velifer

LM, M

Catostomus commersoni

LM, M

Cycleptus elongatus

M

Hypentilium nigricans

LM, M

Ictiobus bubalus

LM, M

Ictiobus cyprinellus

LM, M

Ictiobus niger

LM, M

Minytrema melanops

LM, M

Moxostoma anisurum

LM, M

Moxostoma carinatum

LM, M

Moxostoma duquesnei

LM, M

Moxostoma erythrurum

LM, M

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

LM, M

Moxostoma valenciennesi

LM, M

Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Exotic

Ameiurus melas

LM, M

Ameiurus natalis

LM, M

Ameiurus nebulosus

LM, M

Ictalurus punctatus

LM, M

Noturus flavus

LM, M

Noturus gyrinus

LM, M

Pylodictis olivaris

LM, M

Percopsis omiscomaycus

LM, M

5

0

H,X

C

X

-

H,X

?

U

X?

x(d)-

U

?

R

A

0

0

H,X

X

?(e)

?

0

0

R

0

R

X

-

R

?

U

R

R

R

U

R

X

R

0

0

R

R

R

X

X(d)

?

U

X

R

X X

0

X

H

X X

R

X

R

X X

---

Table 1. (continued)

Native)

Collected As:

Relative

Common Name

Scientific Name

Drainage

Adult

YOY(b)

Abundance

Blackstripe topminnow

Fundulus notatus

LM, M

X

X

U

Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis

Exotic

X

X

0

Brook silverside

Labidesthes sicculus

LM, M

X

X

0

Brook stickleback

Culaea inconstans

LM, M

X

X

Threespine stickleback

Gasterosteus aculeatus

Exotic

X

X

White perch

Morone americana

Exotic

X

X

R

White bass

Morone chrysops

LM, M

X

X

U

Yellow bass

Morone mississippiensis

M

X

X

U

Striped bass

Morone saxatilis

Exotic

X

-

X

Rock bass

Ambloplites rupestris

LM, M

X

X(d)

R

Green sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

LM, M

X

XA

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

LM,M

X

-

Warmouth

Lepomis gulosus

LM, M

X

R

Orangespotted sunfish

Lepomis humilis

M

X

X

0

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

LM, M

X

X

C

Longear sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

LM, M

X

X

U

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

LM,M

X

X

0

Largemouth bass

Micropterus salmoides

LM, M

X

X

0

White crappie

Pomoxis annularis

LM, M

X

XR

Black crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

LM, M

X

X

R

Johnny darter

Etheostoma nigrum

LM, M

X

X

R

Orangethroat darter

Etheostoma spectabile

M

X

H,X

Banded darter

Etheostoma zonale

LM, M

X

R

Yellow perch

Perca flavescens

LM, M

X

X(d)

R

Logperch

Percina caprodes

LM,M

X

X

U

Blackside darter

Percina maculata

LM, M

X

X

R

Slenderhead darter

Percina phoxocephala

LM, M

X

XR

Walleye

Stizostedion vitreum

LM, M

X

R

Freshwater drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

LM, M

X

X0

(a)

LM=Lake Michigan M=Mississippi R.; Source: Burr and Page 1986, Becker 1976

(b)

YOY (young-of-the-year) collections based on 1993 and 1994 adult fish data (EA 1994 and 1995), unless noted otherwise.

(c)

A= Abundantly taken in most surveys. C =Commonly taken in some sample collections; can make up a large portion of some samples.

0 =Occasionally collected, not generally distributed, but local concentrations may occur. U=Uncommon, does not usually appear in

sample collections. R=Considered to be rare. H=Records of occurrence are available, but no collections have been documented in

the past five years (1990-1994). X=Probably occurs only as a stray from a tributary, Lake Michigan, or inland stocking.

(d)

Collected as a YOY in surveys prior to 1993.

(e)

May have been represented

as a

YOY in genus or subfamily identifications.

6

---

Table 2. Reproductive Guilds Represented by Upper Illinois Waterway Fishes.

Nonobligatory plant

spawners (Phyto-lithophils):

Obligatory plant spawners

(Phytophils):

Sand spawners (Psammophils):

Brood Hiders

Rock and gravel spawners

(Lithophils):

GUARDERS

Substrate Choosers

Plant spawners (Phytophils):

Nest Spawners

Rock

and gravel nesters

(Lithophils):

emerald shiner, freshwater drum

gizzard shad,

Hiodon spp.,

walleye

Alosa spp.,

rainbow smelt, speckled chub, bigmouth

shiner, rosyface shiner, suckermouth minnow,

(highfin carpsucker), white sucker, blue sucker,

northern hog sucker, spotted sucker,

Moxostoma

spp.,

trout-perch

threadfin shad, red shiner, spotfin shiner, redfin

shiner, silver chub, (ghost shiner), mimic shiner,

river carpsucker, smallmouth buffalo, blackstripe

topminnow, brook silverside, white perch, white

bass, yellow bass, yellow perch

Lepisosteus spp.,

central mudminnow,

Esox spp.,

goldfish, common carp, golden shiner, bigmouth

buffalo, black buffalo

silverjaw minnow, spottail shiner, sand shiner,

quillback, logperch

Oncorhynchus spp.,

brown trout, brook trout,

hornyhead chub, creek chub, blackside darter,

slenderhead darter

white crappie

central stoneroller, common shiner, black bullhead,

rock bass, green sunfish, warmouth, orangespotted

sunfish, bluegill, longear sunfish, smalimouth bass

NONGUARDERS

Open Substrate Spawners

Pelagic spawners (Pelagophils):

Rock and gravel spawners with

pelagic larvae (Litho-pelagophils):

Rock and gravel spawners with

benthic larvae (Lithophils):

7

---

Table 2. (cont.)

GUARDERS (cont.)

Nest Spawners (cont.)

Plant material nesters (Phytophils): bowfin, largemouth bass, black crappie, (banded

darter)

Hole nesters (Speleophils): striped shiner,

Pimephales spp.,

yellow bullhead,

(holes & crevices; undersides

brown

bullhead, channel catfish, stonecat, tadpole

of rocks)

madtom, flathead catfish, johnny darter, orangethroat

darter

Miscellaneous substrate

and material nesters (Polyphils):

pumpkinseed

Gluemaking nesters

(Ariadnophils)(misc. substrates): brook

stickleback, threespine stickleback

BEARERS

Internal Bearers

Mosquitofish

UNASSIGNED

Pallid shiner

Source: Balon 1975, 1981; Pearson and Krumholz 1984; Smith 1979; Page 1983; Kwak 1991

Note: Parentheses denote species which have been provisionally assigned.

8

---

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 LIFE HISTORY REVIEW OF UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY FISHES

EA reviewed and summarized life history accounts of 69 selected species known to occur in

the Upper Illinois Waterway to determine the spawning requirements and characteristics of

each species (Appendix A). This review included 63 of the 73 potential spawning species and

the omissions were Lake Michigan species or species that are sufficiently rare that we did not

expect to catch them. A matrix table was developed that includes the following categories for

each species: breeding guilds based on Ohio EPA (1989), spawning season, spawning

temperature range, spawning location characteristics (Table 2), spawning activities, parental

care, type of egg (i.e., adhesive, buoyant, etc.), dispersal of fry, and selection of nursery

areas. Information used in the life history review was obtained from numerous references

including current field and laboratory guidebooks, reprints, scientific journals, abstracts,

conference proceedings, various theses and dissertations, published and unpublished

bibliographies and manuscripts, and computer library searches in Dialog (Zoological Records

Online, SciSearch, and Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts), and ABSEARCH-1994

(which contains all abstracts for the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society). The

majority of the life history information was retrieved from major fish literature works for

individual states including Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee,

and Canada. Other important references included Reproductive Biology and Farly Life

History of Fishes in the Ohio River Drainage, Vol. I, by Wallus, et al., K.D. Carlander's

Handbook of Freshwater Fisheries Biology Vols. I and II, N. Auer's Identification of Larval

Fishes of the Great Lakes Basin with Emphasis on the Lake Michigan Drainage, R. D. Hoyt's

Bibliography of the Early Life History of Fishes, A Guide to Larval Fishes of the Upper

Mississippi River by Holland-Bartels, et al. Additionally, early life history experts including

Drs. Darrel Snyder of Colorado State University and Robert Wallus of Tennessee Valley

Authority were contacted to fill data gaps in the early life history accounts of several species

(primarily cyprinids). The review includes 464 cited references (Appendix A).

2.2 FIELD

2.2.1 Selection of Sampling Locations

The Upper Illinois Waterway (UIW) was segmented into 40 reaches (Table 3) and the

mesohabitat types (Table 4) available in each reach were identified on Corps of Engineers

navigation charts (EA 1993c). Thirteen of these reaches were selected for this study (Table 5).

The study area encompassed "46 river miles of the UIW. It began at River Mile 321.7 in the

South Fork of the South Branch and ended in the Bear Island slough at River Mile 276.2

(Figure 1). This portion of the UIW is separated into three pools or reservoirs (i.e., Lockport,

Brandon, and Dresden Pools) by the Lockport Lock and Dam (RM 291.1) and the Brandon

Lock and Dam (RM 286.0). Presumably, these dams represent obstacles to fish movement

within the system although the significance of these obstacles to spawning movements and the

extent to which pool fisheries should be considered independent is uncertain. The study area

included Lockport Pool, Brandon Pool, and upper Dresden Pool (that portion of Dresden Pool

9

---

Table 3. Study Reaches for the Upper Illinois Waterway.

REACH

UPSTREAM DOWNSTREAM

DISTANCE

DESCRIPTION

NO.

RM

RM

(Miles)

(Up to Downstream)

1

324.3

323.2

1.1

Roosevelt Rd. bridge to

Cermak Rd. bridge

2

323.2

321.8

1.4

Cermak Rd. bridge (0.8

miles upstream of Fisk

Station discharge) to just

upstream of South Fork of

South Branch (0.6 miles

downstream of Fisk Station

discharge)

3

321.8

320.9

0.9

South Fork of South

Branch to narrowing of

canal

4

320.9

319.5

1.4

Narrowing of canal to S.

Kedzie Ave. bridge

5

319.5

317.3

2.2

S. Kedzie Ave. bridge (1.0

mile upstream of Crawford

Station discharge) to Cicero

Ave. (Rt. 50) bridge (1.2

miles downstream of

Crawford Station

discharge)

6

317.3

314.8

2.5

Cicero Ave. bridge (1.5

miles upstream of

MWRD's Stickney WRP's

outfall) to Railroad bridge

(1.0 mile downstream of

MWRD's Stickney WRP's

outfall)

7

314.8

313.0

1.8

Railroad bridge to Archer

Ave. (Rt. 171) bridge

8

313.0

310.3

2.7

Archer Ave. bridge to I

&

M diversion canal

10

---

Table 3 (cont.)

REACH

UPSTREAM DOWNSTREAM

DISTANCE

DESCRIPTION

NO.

RM

RM

(Miles)

(Up to Downstream)

9

310.3

307.9

2.4

I &

M diversion canal to

Willow Springs Rd. bridge

(narrowing of canal)

10

307.9

303.5

4.4

Willow Springs Rd. bridge

to just upstream of Cal-Sag

Channel

11

303.5

301.5

2.0

Cal-Sag Channel (including

the lower 0.1 miles of the

Cal-Sag Channel) to

upstream end of furthest

upstream barge slip of

three.

12

301.5

300.5

1.0

Upstream barge slip to

Stephen St. bridge

13

300.5

299.1

1.4

Stephen St. bridge to

downstream end of Twin

City Barge Line and Acme

Welding's Slip No. 1

14

299.1

296.2

2.9

Slip No. 1 (1.6 miles

upstream of UNO-VEN

refinery's discharge) to

Romeoville Rd. Bridge (1.3

miles downstream of the

discharge)

15

296.2

294.6

1.6

Romeoville Rd. bridge (0.8

miles upstream of Will

County Station's discharge)

to 0.8 miles downstream of

the discharge

16

294.6

293.5

1.1

0.8 miles downstream of

Will County Station

discharge to widening of

canal just upstream of

sluice gates

17

293.5

292.1

1.4

Just upstream of sluice

gates to remnants of 16 St.

bridge (narrowing of canal)

11

---

Table 3 (cont.)

REACH

UPSTREAM DOWNSTREAM

DISTANCE

DESCRIPTION

NO.

RM

RM

(Miles)

(Up to Downstream)

18

292.1

291.1

1.0

16 St. bridge to Lockport

Dam

19

291.1

290.6

0.5

Lockport Dam tail waters

(including mouth of Deep

Run)

20

290.6

290.0

0.6

End of Lockport Dam tail

waters to confluence of

Chicago Sanitary and Ship

Canal and Des Plaines

River

21

290.0

288.9

1.1

Confluence to mouth of I

&

M Canal

22

288.9

287.3

1.6

I

&

M Canal to

McDonough St. (widening

of canal)

23

287.3

286.0

1.3

McDonough St. to Brandon

Rd. Dam

24

286.0

285.5

0.5

Brandon Rd. Dam tail

waters (including mouth of

Hickory Creek)

25

285.5

283.7

1.8

End of Brandon Rd. Dam

tail waters (0.7 miles

upstream of Joliet Station's

Unit 6 discharge) to Joliet

Army Ammunition

discharge (0.6 miles

downstream of Joliet

Station's Units 7

&

8

discharge)

26

283.7

282.8

0.9

Waste Management

discharge to Santa Fe Light

and Daymark

27

282.8

281.3

1.5

Santa Fe Light and

Daymark to Hunting Lodge

Bend Light (including

mouth of Rock Run)

12

---

Table 3 (cont.)

REACH

UPSTREAM

DOWNSTREAM

DISTANCE

DESCRIPTION

NO.

RM

RM

(Miles)

(Up to Downstream)

28

281.3

280.2

1.1

Hunting Lodge Bend Light

to Treats Island

29

280.2

279.1

1.1

Treats Island (including

mouth of Jackson Creek

Diversion)

30

279.1

278.3

0.8

Treats Island to just

upstream of mouth of

Jackson Creek

31

278.3

277.7

0.6

Mouth of Jackson Creek to

DuPage River Delta

32

277.7

276.6

1.1

DuPage River Delta

33

276.6

275.9

0.7

DuPage River Delta

(DuPage River Light and

Daymark) to downstream

end of Bear Island

34

275.9

275.0

0.9

Downstream end of Bear

Island to Campbell

Daymark (narrowing of

river and just upstream of

mouth of Grant Creek)

35

275.0

273.6

1.4

Campbell Daymark

(including mouth of Grant

Creek) to Bayhill Marina

(narrowing of river)

36

273.6

273.0

0.6

Bayhill Marina to mouth

(just upstream of

confluence with Kankakee

River)

37

273.0

272.2

0.8

Mouth to Dresden Station

discharge (including the

confluence of the Des

Plaines and Kankakee

Rivers and the lower 0.4

miles of the Kankakee

River)

38

272.2

271.5

0.7

Dresden Station discharge

to Dresden Island Dam

13

---

Table 3 (cont.)

REACH UPSTREAM DOWNSTREAM DISTANCE DESCRIPTION

NO. RM RM

(Miles) (Up to Downstream)

39

271.5

271.0

0.5

40

271.0

270.0

1.0

Dresden Island Dam tail

waters

End of Dresden Island Dam

tail waters to end of study

area

14

---

Table 4. Definitions and Anticipated Spawners of Each Mesohabitat of the Upper Illinois

Waterway.

Main Channel -

This includes only that portion of the river through which large commercial craft

can operate. It is defined by combinations of river regulating structures (wing dikes), river banks,

islands, buoys, and other markers (Rasmussen 1979). In the upper Illinois waterway, the low

water channel below Lockport Dam is generally 300 feet wide and 9 feet deep. From Lockport

to Chicago Harbor, about 36 miles, the channel is generally 160 feet wide and a minimum of 17

feet deep (USACE 1973). Expect eggs and/or larvae of pelagic spawners (e.g., freshwater drum)

and rock and gravel spawners with pelagic larvae (e.g., gizzard shad).

Main Channel Border

(Rasmussen 1979) - This is the zone between the nine foot navigation

channel and the main river bank, islands, or submerged definitions of the old main river channel.

Buoys often mark the outer edge of this zone. Where the main channel is defined only by the

bank, a narrow border still occurs, and often the banks have rip-rap. Most fishes in the

nonobligatory and obligatory plant spawner (e.g., spotfin shiner, carp, etc.), and hole nester (e.g.,

Pimephales spp.)

guilds probably spawn in this mesohabitat. Where gravel deposits occur, some

members of the rock and gravel nester guild may spawn here (e.g., green sunfish).

Tailwaters

(Rasmussen 1979) - These include the main channel, main channel border, and areas

immediately below the navigation dams where turbulence is caused by passage of water through

the gates of the dams and out of the locks. Since these areas change in size according to water

stage, an arbitrary lower boundary for fishery purposes has been set at one-half mile below each

dam. May be important spawning areas for rock and gravel spawners (e.g,

Moxostoma spp.),

sand spawners (e.g., spottail shiner), and hole nesters (e.g., some darters), particularly those

which require hard substrates in conjunction with moderate to fast current velocities.

Side Channels

(Rasmussen 1979) - These include all departures from the main channel and main

channel border in which there is current during normal river stage. Probably important spawning

areas for hole nesters (e.g., yellow bullhead), some nonobligatory and obligatory plant spawners

(e.g., spotfin shiner and carp), rock and gravel nesters (e.g., bluegill), and plant material nesters

(e.g, largemouth bass).

Sloughs

(Rasmussen 1979) - Sloughs are narrow branches or offshoots of the main water body

and are characterized by no current at normal water stage and may be former side channels that

have been cut off. Probably represents an important spawning areas for rock and gravel nesters

(e.g., bluegill), plant material nesters (e.g, largemouth bass), plant spawners (e.g, white crappie),

miscellaneous substrate and material nesters (e.g., pumpkinseed), and obligatory plant spawners

(e.g . , gyp).

15

---

Table 4 (cont.)

Artificial Embayments -

Man-made diversions from the main channel or side channel that are

open only on one end. For those embayments that lack littoral areas (e.g., active slips), expect

eggs and/or larvae of pelagic spawners (e.g., freshwater drum) and the rock and gravel spawners

with pelagic larvae (e.g., gizzard shad). For those embayments that have littoral areas, they

probably represent a locally important spawning area for rock and gravel nesters (e.g., green

sunfish), plant material nesters (e.g, largemouth bass), miscellaneous substrate and material

nesters (e.g., pumpkinseed), and obligatory plant spawners (e.g., carp).

Tributary Mouth -

The portion of the tributary defined by one of the following definitions: 1)

for minor tributaries, from the mouth upstream for 0.25 miles (e.g. Deep Run and Hickory

Creek); 2) from the mouth upstream to a point of obvious narrowing (e.g., Jackson Creek

Diversion), 3) from the mouth upstream to a dam (e.g., Jackson Creek) or significant narrowing

due to a bridge (e.g., Grant Creek), or 4) for the Kankakee River, from the mouth upstream for

0.4 miles. Look for larvae and eggs spawned in tributaries drifting into the UIW. May also

represent spawning areas for rock and gravel nesters (e.g., bluegill), plant material nesters (e.g,

largemouth bass), sand spawners (e.g., spottail shiner), and some nonobligatory and obligatory

plant spawners (e.g., spotfin shiner and carp).

Tributary Deltas -

The depositional areas between tributary mouths and the main channel of the

river/canal. Look for larvae and eggs spawned in tributaries drifting into the UIW. May also

represent spawning areas for rock and gravel nesters (e.g., bluegill) and plant material nesters

(e.g, largemouth bass). Probably also important spawning areas for hole nesters (e.g., yellow

bullhead) and some nonobligatory and obligatory plant spawners (e.g., spotfin shiner and carp).

16

---

Table 5. Ichthyoplankton Sampling Locations for the Upper Illinois Waterway, 1994.

Location

Description

Habitat Types

Collection Methods

309 Reach

23, RM 286.3-East (left) bank

above Brandon Road Dam on treatment

plant side.

402-1 Reach

24, RM 285.4-East (left) bank

of tailwater below Brandon Road Dam.

Artificial Embayment. Primarily fine

sediments with a narrow border of

rock, sparse macrophyte beds.

Artificial Embayment. Primarily fine

sediments, with some rock and gravel,

macrophyte beds.

Main channel and main channel border.

Rock and gravel, fine sediments, sparse

macrophyte beds.

Main channel and main channel border.

Rock and gravel, sparse macrophyte

beds.

Main Channel and vertical rock wall

with and without eroded areas.

Main Channel Border. Primarily fine

sediments with some rock, dense

macrophyte beds.

Tributary. Riffle-run with rock and

gravel, small patches of fine sediments,

sparse macrophyte beds. Slow to fast

current.

Main Channel Border. Fine sediments,

woody debris, dense macrophyte beds.

Tailwater. Shallow clay with some

gravel, slow to moderate current, dense

macrophyte beds.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; physical

vegetation.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; larval seine;

physical vegetation.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; larval seine;

physical vegetation; towed nets.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; physical

vegetation; towed nets.

Pump; dip net; towed nets.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; physical

vegetation.

Pump and grid or dipnet; stationary

net; larval seine; physical vegetation.

Light traps: non-vegetation and

vegetation; physical vegetation.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; larval seine;

dip net; physical vegetation.

104 Reach

3, RM 321.7-South Fork of the

South Branch Chicago River.

105 Reach 3, RM 321.0- Triangular shaped

artificial embayment.

202 Reach 5, RM 318.6-Upstream of

Crawford Station Intake, mid-channel

and left bank. Intake flow field.

207 Reaches 8 and 9, RM 310.4-near I&M

Diversion Channel, mid-channel and

both banks.

301 Reach 15, RM 295.7-Upstream of Will

County Station Intake, mid-channel and

left bank. Intake flow field.

302A Reach 17, RM 292.5-west bank,

shallow area out of main channel

,

near

Cargill.

304 Upper

Des Plaines River beneath

Southwest Highway (9th Street) bridge

---

Table 5 (continued)

Location Description

Habitat Types

Collection Methods

402-2 Reach

24, RM 285.4-West (right) bank

of tailwater below Brandon Road Dam.

402-3 Reach

24, RM 285.8-East (left) bank

of tailwater directly upstream of

Brandon Road bridge.

402A Reaches

24 and 25, RM 285.5-channel

between Brandon Road Lock Chamber

and the mouth of the tailwater area,

mid-channel and right bank. Intake

flow field.

402B Reach

25, RM 284.4-east (left) bank

main channel border. Below Joliet #9,

across from Joliet #29 discharge canal.

O0

Discharge far field.

405 Reach

29, RM 279.4-side channel

inside Treats Island.

407 Reach 29, RM 279.6-mid-point of

Treats Island, mid-channel and left

bank.

Tailwater. Shallow to deep rock and

gravel with some clay, moderate to fast

current.

Tailwater. Shallow cobble and gravel,

slow to fast current.

Main Channel and Main Channel

Border. Rock and gravel.

Main Channel Border. Primarily fine

sediments with some rock, dense

macrophyte beds.

Side Channel. Primarily fine sediments

with some rock and gravel, woody

debris, locally dense macrophyte beds.

Main Channel and Main Channel

Border. Rock and gravel.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation; dip net.

Pump and grid; larval seine; physical

vegetation.

Pump and grid; larval seine; towed

nets.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; larval seine;

physical vegetation.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; larval seine;

physical vegetation.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation; towed nets.

408 Reach 31, RM 278.3-mouth of Jackson Tributary Mouth. Rock, gravel, fine

Creek.

sediments, macrophyte beds.

409 Reach

32, RM 277.0-Du Page River

Tributary

Delta. Fine sediments with

delta.

some rock, dense macrophyte beds.

414 Reach

33, RM 276.2-west (right) bank Slough. Fine sediments with some

behind Bear Island in slough. rock, macrophyte beds.

Pump and grid; light traps: non-

vegetation and vegetation; larval seine;

physical vegetation.

Light traps: non-vegetation and

vegetation; larval seine; physical

vegetation.

Light traps: non-vegetation and

vegetation; larval seine; physical

vegetation.

---

between the Brandon Lock and Dam and the Kankakee River). The areas within each pool can

be further divided into mesohabitats based on their relationship to the primary sources of

impact in the system. Mesohabitat types available to fishes within the study area include main

channel, main channel border, side channel, artificial embayment, slough, tailwater, tributary

mouth, and tributary delta (Table

5).

Discharges of domestic wastewater and industrial

process wastes as well as power plant thermal effluents are to the main channel mesohabitat.

This is also the primary conduit for barge traffic and is presumably the most disturbed

mesohabitat type. These disruptions to the main channel carry over to the main channel border

mesohabitat which is also strongly affected by the fluctuations in water level associated with

operations of the locks and dams and serves as a repository for sediments contaminated by

discharges to the main channel. Subunits of the main channel mesohabitat that have unique

importance as a spawning and nursery area are the tailwater areas below the dams.

In

this

system, discrete tailwater mesohabitats are present in Brandon Pool (Lockport Dam tailwater)

and upper Dresden

Pool

(Brandon Dam tailwater); however, their physical habitats are quite

different. The Lockport Dam tailwater is a high velocity, turbulent, main channel

mesohabitat, whereas the Brandon Dam tailwater is more diverse and contains a variety of

riffle/run habitats. An analogous area (i.e., natural riffle/run) to the Brandon Dam tailwater

exists in the upper Des Plaines River (a tributary to Brandon Pool). Mesohabitats in which

conditions are a mix of main channel influences and/or influences from subdrainages include

the side channel, tributary mouths, the (Du Page River) tributary delta, and artificial

embayments (primarily active barge slips or turning basins). These mesohabitats also serve as

repositories for sediments contaminated by discharges to the main channel. The last

mesohabitat category is slough; areas where exchange of water and sediment with the main

channel are limited or infrequent and water quality and sediment characteristics are locally

determined.

Individual mesohabitats may contain one or more discrete types of spawning habitats (Tables 2

and

5).

Table

4

summarizes the various mesohabitat characteristics and lists the reproductive

guilds most likely to use each of them.

Main channel, main channel border, artificial embayment, and tributary mouth are the only

mesohabitats found in all three pools (i.e., Lockport, Brandon, and upper Dresden Pools);

however, their areal extents (based on percent of total surface area) vary among pools (Table

6).

For example, main channel composes approximately 79 percent of the surface area in both

the Lockport and Brandon Pools, but only 36 percent of the upper Dresden Pool. Conversely,

main channel border composes a larger percentage in the upper Dresden Pool (29 percent) than

in either of the upper two pools (10 and 13 percent). Main channel and main channel border

are the most prevalent mesohabitats throughout the entire waterway (Table 6). Artificial

embayments are well distributed throughout the system (16 of 40 reaches), but are most

prevalent in Lockport Pool where they compose 10 percent of the total surface area compared

to only one or two percent in Brandon and upper Dresden Pools. Most artificial embayments

are active barge slips and cannot be sampled safely and effectively due to constant traffic. The

tributary mouth mesohabitat composes only one or two percent of the total surface area within

each

of

the three

pools.

The remaining four mesohabitats are limited in the UIW both in terms

of

areal extent and distribution within the waterway. The side channel, slough, and tributary

19

---

TABLE 6. PERCENT COMPOSITION OF MESOHABITAT TYPES PRESENT WITHIN EACH REACH OF THE UPPER

ILLINOIS WATERWAY, RM 270.0 - RM 324.3.

MAIN?

PERCENT OF

WATER

?

MAIN CHANNEL

TAIL?

SIDE?

ARTIFICIAL TRIB. TRIB. INTAKE/?

ENTIRE

BODY

REACH CHANNEL BORDER WATER CHANNEL SLOUGH EMBAYMENT MOUTH

DELTA

DISCHARGE STUDY

AREA

SBCR

1

100.0

0.7

SBCR

2

79.3

20.7

5.9

1.1

CSSC

3

54.9

5.2

39.9

1.2

CSSC

4

88.1

4.4

7.5

1.2

CSSC

5

70.7

29.3

1.9

2.4

CSSC

6

84.2

15.8

2.4

CSSC

7

77.5

22.5

1.8

CSSC

8

81.6

18.4

2.9

CSSC

9

81.2

18.8

2.4

CSSC

10

100.0

2.2

CSSC

11

75.3

24.7

1.3

CSSC

12

51.6

48.4

1.0

CSSC

13

39.5

60.5

2.0

CSSC

14

100.0

1.5

CSSC

15

85.7

14.3

0.8

1.2

CSSC

16

100.0

0.6

CSSC

17

74.4

19.0

6.6

1.6

CSSC

18

100.0

0.9

Lockport Pool

79.1

10.1

9.6

1.2

0.4 28.6?

0

CSSC

19

22.8

12.0

44.5

5.3

15.4

0.7

CSSC

20

79.7

20.3

0.5

LDPR

21

55.1

42.1

2.8

1.6

LDPR

22

88.5

7.1

4.4

1.2

LDPR

23

99.3

0.7

3.4

Brandon Pool

79.7

13.2

3.9

1.2

2.0

7.4

LDPR

24

96.3

0.6

3.1

2.7

LDPR

25

68.3

31.2

0.5

26.3

3.3

LDPR

26

37.7

62.1

0.2

2.7

LDPR

27

33.8

64.4

0.8

1.0

5.3

LDPR

28

49.5

50.5

3.0

LDPR

29

29.0

13.5

48.4

7.6

1.4

3.4

LDPR

30

65.6

32.1

2.3

1.7

LDPR

31

43.3

27.1

4.2

10.4

14.9

0.4

2.1

LDPR

32

13.8

5.7

8.0

0.9 71.7

9.9

LDPR

33

46.3

29.9

23.8

4.5

LDPR

34

45.3

25.9

26.4

2.4

4.4

LDPR

35

51.8

30.1

2.7

3.0

12.3

4.2

Up. Drea. P1.

36.4

28.7

5.5

6.0

5.3

1.0

2.2 15.0

1.9

47.0

LDPR

36

32.8

63.8

2.6

0.8

3.1

UIR

37

26.9

29.7

23.1

20.3

7.4

UIR

38

81.3

14.6

2.5

1.6

0.5

2.9

Lw. Dres. P .

40.2

34.2

13.9

0.5

11.2

•

?0.1

13.4

UIR

39

100.0

1.8

UIR

Be ow Brea.

40

Dam

58.$

41.2

1.8

29.4

20.6

50.0

3.6

TOTAL

?

52.1

?

22.7

?

4.7

?

2.8

?

4.3

?

3.3

J_

"r-7.1

1.0

20

---

delta mesohabitats are confined to upper Dresden Pool. The tailwater mesohabitat is present in

Brandon and upper Dresden Pools; however, their physical habitats are quite different (as

discussed previously).

Discrete sampling locations (and reaches) were selected that: 1) provided good longitudinal

coverage; 2) included all mesohabitat types; 3) provided a mixture of microhabitats (e.g.,

macrophyte beds, hard substrates); and 4) included all mesohabitats or other areas (e.g.,

Brandon Dam tailwater) that had a high likelihood of serving as potential spawning or nursery

areas. Other factors considered included proximity to power plants and accessibility. Based

on these criteria, 16 sampling locations were selected (Figure 1). Sampling at four of these

locations was conducted both in the main channel and along the main channel border, and the

Brandon Dam tailwater (Location 402) was sampled in three separate areas. Therefore,

sampling was conducted in 22 discrete areas with respect to mesohabitat type. The number of

sampling areas by pool with respect to mesohabitat type and segment are presented in Table 7.

As presented in this table, all mesohabitats present in the waterway were sampled; all

mesohabitat types present in Lockport Pool and upper Dresden Pool were sampled; and all

mesohabitat types except main channel were sampled in the Brandon Pool. Table 5 and

Appendix B have detailed descriptions of each sampling location.

2.2.2 Selection of Sampling Frequency

Sampling must be sufficiently frequent that those species that might potentially spawn have a

high probability of being caught. The expected distribution of spawning activity through the

year was compiled as part of the life history review (Appendix A). This information is

summarized in Figure 2. Based on Appendix A and Figure 2, it is clear that the spawning

period in the UIW encompasses the period from March through August, with the bulk of the

activity being concentrated in May and June. Based on this temporal distribution, sampling

was conducted during the first and last weeks in April, weekly in May and June, and biweekly

in July and August.

2.2.3 Selection of Gear Types

The previous two sections provided the seasons in which spawning by the composite

assemblage should occur in the system and the locations and physical conditions (i.e.,

mesohabitat) where sampling was to be conducted. For sampling of these areas to be

effective, the appropriate gears need to be deployed.

Exploratory ichthyoplankton sampling was done in 1993 using only towed nets (LMS 1993a).

Based on the 1993 data and discussions with Upper Illinois Waterway Task Force members, it

was decided to use a variety of gears or techniques in the 1994 sampling program: pump, grid,

dip net, towed net, stationary net, light trap, seine, and physical examination of vegetation.

The collection methods typically used at each sampling location are presented in Table 5.

Detailed descriptions of gear deployment and utilization are presented in Appendix B.

21

---

Table 7. Number of Discrete Sampling Areas by Segment and Mesohabitat.

Mesohabitat

Lockport Pool

Bandon Pool

Upper Dresden Pool

Main Channel Border

3

1

3

Main Channel

3

0

2

Backwater

Artificial Embayment

2

0

0

Side Channel

0

0

1

Tributary Delta

0

0

1

Slough

0

0

1

Tributary Mouth

0

1

1

Tailwater

0

0

3.

Total Sampling Areas

8

2

12

22

---

SPECIES

MAR

1 2 3 4

APR

1 2 3 4

MAY

1?2 3 4

JUN

1?

2 3 4

JUL

1?2 3 4

AUG

1?

2 3 4

SEP

1 2 3 4

■111111111111111111111111111■111.11111111111111111•111NI11101111111111111111111111M1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

111111111111111111111111MINIM11111111111111■MOM

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111•111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111■111111111111■11111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111"11111111111MIBM

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110111

1111111•1111111111111111111111111

1111111111111111M1111111111111111111111111•1111111MINIIIIIIII

.,111111111111111111111111111111

1111

m

112

m

rn

m

10

30

gizzard shad

stoneroller

goldfish

red shiner

spotfin shiner

carp

striped shiner

golden shiner

redfin shiner

ghost shiner

emerald shiner

silverjaw minnow

bigmouth shiner

sand shiner

spottedl shiner

suckermouth minnow

mimic shiner

bluntnose minnow

fathead minow

bullhead minnow

creek chub

river carpsucker

quillback

highfin carpsucker

white sucker

smalimouth buffalo

bigmouth buffalo

black buffalo

silver redhorse

river redhorse

golden redhorse

11111111111111111111__

■UM■.EE..■111111111111111

_____________

Inn11111111111111■111111111111111111111111111MUM11111111111111n11111.1111111111111111111111111

11111111111111111111111

1111111111111111111111111111IN=1111111111111111111

■11111111111111111111111Ill11111111111111111111■1111111M■1111111111111111111111_

_ _

1111111111111111111111111__Inn■11.11111111111NM=

11111111111

MUM11111111111111111111111=111111111

MUM---

■.■■

-

---

rn

es

20

longnose gar

goldeye

skipjack herring

shorthead redhorse

greater redhorse

FIGURE 2. SPAWNING PERIODS FOR FISHES OF THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY

SPAWNING SEASON (MONTHS)

23

---

FIGURE 2. (continued)

SPAWNING SEASON (MONTHS

MAR

?

APR?

MAY

?

JUN?

JUL

AUG SEP

SPECIES

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

black bullhead

yellow bullhead

channel catfish

stonecat

tadpole madtom

flathead catfish

grass pickerel

northern pike

central mudminnow -

trout-perch

blackstripe topminnow

brook silverside

whits perch

white bass

yellow bass

rock bass

green sunfish

pumpkinseed

orangespotted sunfish

bluogill

longear sunfish

smallmouth bass

largemouth bass

white crappie

black crappie

rainbow darter

Johnny darter

yellow perch

logperch

blackside darter

slenderhead darter

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

68 walleye

89 freshwater drum

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

82

63

64

66

87

24

---

Gears typically used within each mesohabitat type were: Main Channel - towed nets in mid-

channel, pump and dip net along a vertical channel wall; Main Channel Border, Artificial

Embayment, and Side Channel - pump, grid, seine, light traps, and physical examination of

vegetation; Tributary Delta and Slough- seine, light traps, and physical examination of

vegetation; Tributary Mouth - pump, grid, seine, light traps or stationary net, and physical

examination of vegetation; and Tailwater - pump, grid, seine, dip net, light traps, and physical

examination of vegetation. Given this deployment of gears among mesohabitat types at 22

sampling areas, up to 99 gear efforts were expended weekly during the study. Thus, the level

of effort expended during this study was sufficient so that if ichthyoplankton were present in

anything above negligible quantities they would be collected. The following subsections

present detailed description of each gear type.

2.2.3.1 Pump and Grid Sampling

Pump and grid sampling, directed primarily at collecting fish eggs, was conducted at 13

of

the

16 locations. These locations contained bottom substrates that are relatively firm consisting of

rock, cobble, gravel, and\or sand. Samples were collected using a gasoline driven pump with

a 1.5 inch

ID

intake hose. The pumping rate was approximately 50 gallons per minute and the

samples passed through the pump chamber. The intake end of the hose was attached to a

length of 1.5 inch

PVC

tubing which enabled the operator to keep the intake in close contact

with the substrate or to probe around large objects. The intake was equipped with a strainer

nozzle to prevent large material from clogging or damaging the pump. Each pump sample

consisted of pumping bottom material as the pump intake was moved around by the wading

operator. In conjunction with each pump sample, a grid sample was also collected. The grid

sample consisted of carefully pumping the substrate within two one-meter diameter rings.

Please note that grid sampling was not implemented until the second sampling trip. The grid

samples were kept separate from the pump samples. Approximately 30 man minutes were

spent on this effort. Discharge from the pump first entered a large tub, which acted as a trap

for larger, heavy material. The trap tub was equipped with an overflow pipe so that water

exiting the tub could be filtered through a No. 0 mesh (505 micron square mesh) Nitex net.

After pump

or

grid sampling within a given location was completed, the contents in the trap

tub and the net were condensed and transferred into labeled jars. Pumping did not appear to

cause a significant amount of damage to eggs or larvae. Very few eggs collected were

damaged and only six unidentified (damaged) larvae (0.5 percent of the total pump and grid

catch) and seven damaged clupeids (3.7 percent of the total clupeid catch) were collected

(Appendix C).

Grid samples were collected in anticipation that large numbers of eggs might be found in these

microhabitat types. A fair number of eggs were collected (2666), but they were composed

primarily of carp (71 percent) and unidentified specimens (29 percent) (Appendix C). Based

on

these data, or lack thereof, it was decided not to proceed with quantitative analyses of the

grid data.

25

---

2.2.3.2

Seining

Seining for larval fish was conducted at 10 of the 16 locations. Seining was conducted where

bottom substrates were relatively firm. The larval seine was two meters wide by one meter

deep and had a bag that consisted of a 0.5 meter diameter plankton net sewed in the middle of

it. The entire seine consisted of No. 0 mesh Nitex. Each larval seine sample typically

consisted of one

-40-foot

seine haul. For locations that covered a large area (e.g., the Du

Page River Delta [Location 409]), seining was conducted typically at two to three separate

areas in order to provide good areal coverage. All material collected at each location was

condensed into a single sample.

2.2.3.3 Dipnetting

Dipnetting was conducted at two of the 16 locations using long-handled, standard D-frame dip

nets with No. 0 Nitex mesh bags. The bags were 18 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep.

Dip net samples were collected by making numerous sweeping passes in and around objects,

structures, or macrophytes that could have provided cover for larval and juvenile fish. At

Location 301, located just upstream of the Will County Station, dipnetting was conducted

along the vertical channel wall. Sampling at this location was conducted by making numerous

vertical sweeps from the surface to a depth of

-

10-feet, carefully keeping the net in close

contact with the wall. Approximately 30 man minutes were spent dipnetting at each location.

2.2.3.4 Towed Nets

Mid-channel tow samples were collected at five locations. Each collection consisted of one

subsurface and one near-bottom sample at each location. Tow samples were collected using

0.5 meter diameter conical plankton nets constructed of No. 0 mesh Nitex. Each net was

equipped with a calibrated flowmeter to determine the volume sampled. Approximately 50

cubic meters of water was filtered by each net tow. The purpose of the flow meter was to

evaluate whether or not clogging was a problem. Clogging was not observed during the

,

study.

Due to access constraints placed on us by Material Service Corporation, the samples at

Location 301 near the Will County Station were collected midday. At other locations, samples

were collected in the evening, typically just before sunset.

2.2.3.5 Stationary Net

Mid-channel stationary net sampling was conducted only in the upper Des Plaines River

(Location 304), and was conducted in lieu of light trapping which was not possible because of

high current velocities and insufficient depth. Because of the shallow nature of the upper Des

Plaines River (

0.4 m), the net filtered the entire water column. Samples were collected

using a 0.5 meter diameter conical plankton net constructed of No. 0 mesh Nitex that was

attached to a 40 cm square frame. The net was equipped with a calibrated flowmeter to

determine the volume sampled. The purpose of the flow meter was to evaluate whether or not

clogging was a problem. Clogging was not observed during the study. However, during the

week of 15 May the bridle of the net was fouled with periphyton causing an erroneous flow

26

---

meter reading. The net was set at sunset and left in place for 30-40 minutes. Greater than 50

cubic meters of water was filtered during each net set.

2.2.3.6 Light Trapping

Light trapping was conducted at 16 of the 18 locations. Where appropriate, each location

consisted of one vegetation sample (a composite of up to three samplers set in macrophyte

beds) and one non-vegetation sample (a composite of up to three samplers set in non-vegetated

areas). Where appropriate, light traps were distributed throughout a location to provide good

areal coverage and to sample either different macrophyte beds in case of the vegetation

samplers, or different microhabitats in case of the non-vegetation samplers (Appendix

B).

Light trapping was conducted from sunset to approximately three hours after sunset. Each

light trap was deployed for a minimum of 30 minutes. The quatrefoil light traps were

patterned after those described by Secor et al. 1992, with the light source modified as per

Floyd et al. 1984a. This modification consisted of replacing a chemical stick with a "mini

mag light" and a spirally grooved rod that distributes the light evenly all around. The slit

widths of the quatrefoil traps ranged from two to five mm. Upon retrieval of each light trap, a

dip net was placed underneath the sampler in order to collect fish that may have escaped

through the slits as the trap was lifted out of the water. Since light traps were a last minute

addition to the program and were not readily available, light trapping did not commence until

the first week in May. The light traps were built by Southern Illinois University.

2.2.3.7 Physical Examination of Vegetation

This technique was designed to collect fish eggs. Sampling consisted of collecting

representative numbers of randomly selected plant stems and leaves from various portions of

the vegetated area. One crew member would carefully visually examine plant material for

presence of ichthyoplankton, while the other crew member vigorously rinsed plant material in

a benthos sieve to remove ichthyoplankton. If no fish eggs or larvae were observed during this

procedure, plant material was discarded. However, when ichthyoplankton were encountered,

the plant material and the ichthyoplankton were placed in a labeled container. Physical

examination of vegetation was conducted for approximately 20 man minutes at each location.

All samples collected were preserved with

10

percent formalin containing rose bengal.

2.2.4 Physicochemical Measurements

Water temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured each time a sample was collected.

These measurements were taken in close proximity to the depth and location where the sample

was collected. Instruments used to measure temperature are factory calibrated every six

months, and were checked against a calibrated thermometer before each sampling trip.

Instruments used to measure dissolved oxygen were calibrated in the field immediately before

each sampling day using the Winkler method as specified in "Standard Methods for the

Examination of Water and Wastewater" (current edition).

27

---

2.3 LABORATORY

Upon arrival in the laboratory, all ichthyoplankton samples were logged on a sample control

sheet. Before being sorted, ichthyoplankton samples were rinsed on a No. 30 U.S. Standard

sieve to remove excess detritus and formalin. All fish eggs and larvae were then handpicked

from the debris with the aid of an illuminated magnifier. Five percent of the samples were

resorted for quality assurance purposes. Subsampling was conducted on only four samples,

three due to large numbers of larvae and one due to large numbers of eggs. These samples

were split with a Folsom Plankton Splitter. The larval samples were split until approximately

500 specimens remained. The egg sample was split until approximately 1,000 eggs remained.

Ichthyoplankton identifications were made with the aid of a dissecting scope equipped with

polarizing lenses. Ichthyoplankton identifications were made to the lowest practical taxonomic

level using current references and taxonomic keys. Depending on the taxa, this could mean

species, genera,

or

a species group. To improve accuracy and ensure consistency during the

identification process, we used two larval fish taxonomists who worked side by side during

most of the identification process. This enabled them to pass specimens back and forth,

providing a

good

level of confidence for the level of identifications presented here.

Furthermore, a larval fish voucher series, which contained specimens of each taxa identified,

was compiled and sent to Dr. Robert Wallus of the Tennessee Valley Authority for

verification.

Fish larvae were categorized as yolk-sac, post yolk-sac, or juvenile (Auer 1982):

Yolk-sac larvae Phase of development from the moment of hatching to complete

absorption of yolk.

Post yolk-sac

Juvenile

Phase of development from complete absorption of yolk to the

development of the full complement of adult fin rays and

absorption of finfold. (The post yolk-sac phase, as defined here,

does not occur for the Ictaluridae family).

Complete fin ray development and finfold absorption.

Total counts by

taxa

and life stages were recorded for each sample.

2.4 DATA HANDLING

Field and laboratory data were entered on forms compatible for computer entry following

serialization, diga-coding, and

QA/QC

checks. Data were managed in a SAS format (SAS

1988a, 1988b) to provide flexibility in reporting study results.

28

---

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 OBSERVATIONS OF THE SYSTEM

3.1.1 Availability of Mesohabitat Types

Mesohabitat types available to fishes within the study area include main channel, main channel

border, side channel, artificial embayment, slough, tailwater, tributary mouth, and tributary

delta (Table

5).

Main channel, main channel border, artificial embayment, and tributary

mouth are the only mesohabitats found in all three pools (i.e., Lockport, Brandon, and upper

Dresden Pools) (Table 6). However, their areal extents (based on percent of total surface

area) vary among pools.

Main channel composes approximately 79 percent of the surface area in both the Lockport and

Brandon Pools, but only 36 percent of the upper Dresden Pool. Conversely, main channel

border composes a larger percentage in the upper Dresden Pool (29 percent) than in either of

the upper two pools (10 and 13 percent). Main channel and main channel border are the most

prevalent mesohabitats throughout the entire waterway (Table 6). Seven main channel border

locations were sampled during the study; three locations in Lockport Pool, one location in

Brandon Pool, and three locations in upper Dresden Pool (Figure 1 and Table 7). Five main

channel locations were sampled during the study; three locations in Lockport Pool and two

locations in upper Dresden Pool (Figure 1 and Table 7).

Artificial embayments are well distributed throughout the system (16 of 40 reaches). They are

most prevalent in Lockport Pool where they compose 10 percent of the total surface area

compared

to

only one

or

two percent in Brandon and upper Dresden Pools. However, most

artificial embayments are active barge slips and cannot be sampled safely and effectively due

to

constant traffic. Two artificial embayments were sampled during the study and both are in

Lockport

Pool

(Figure 1 and Table 7). These two artificial embayments represent the only

artificial embayments in the study area that are not active barge slips; however, Location 104

is used by tow boats as a turning basin.

The tributary mouth mesohabitat composes only one or two percent of the total surface area

within each of the three pools. Two tributary mouth locations were sampled during the study:

the upper Des Plaines River in Brandon Pool and the mouth of Jackson Creek in upper

Dresden Pool (Figure 1 and Table 7). Since the physical habitats of these two tributary

mouths are distinctly different, their results are presented separately. The physical habitat in

the upper

Des

Plaines River is primarily riffle/run and consists primarily of hard substrates;

very different from the mouth of Jackson Creek. The habitat features in the upper Des Plaines

River are most similar to that observed within the Brandon tailwater. These two areas are the

only areas of the UIW (besides possibly some tributaries to upper Dresden Pool) that contain

riffle/run habitats. It should be noted that the lower approximately two miles of the upper Des

Plaines River becomes inundated with water from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

(containing markedly lower dissolved oxygen) when the Metropolitan Water Reclamation

District

of

Greater Chicago lowers the level of Lockport Pool in preparation of a storm event.

29

---

Water from the Ship Canal is discharged through the sluice gates at RM 293.1 into the upper

Des Plaines River. When this occurs, water levels within the upper Des Plaines River can rise

approximately six feet in a matter of minutes (Heiderscheidt 1994, personal communication).

The mouth of Jackson Creek is functionally a quiet, backwater area. Compared to other

backwaters in upper Dresden Pool (i.e., side channel, slough, and tributary delta), this

location is smaller and deeper, better protected from wind and wave action, and contains more

boulder/slab and "clean" gravel substrates, particularly in deep, nearshore areas.

The remaining four mesohabitats are limited in the UIVV both in terms of areal extent and

distribution within the waterway. The side channel, slough, and tributary delta mesohabitats

are confined to upper Dresden Pool and each of these mesohabitats were sampled during the

study. For comparative purposes, these three mesohabitats as well as artificial embayment

were combined under the broader habitat category of backwater. The tailwater mesohabitat is

present in Brandon Pool (Lockport Dam tailwater) and upper Dresden Pool (Brandon Dam

tailwater); however, their physical habitats are quite different. The Lockport Dam tailwater is

a high velocity, turbulent, main channel mesohabitat, whereas the Brandon Dam tailwater is

more diverse and contains a variety of riffle/run habitats. The Brandon tailwater was sampled

during this study. It should be noted that the water level in the Brandon tailwater can fluctuate

noticeably several times a day. During the study, we observed the water level rise and fall

approximately one foot over a 15-minute period. These water level fluctuations could cause

eggs and larvae to become displaced into areas that become dry after the water recedes or into

isolated pools that may eventually become anoxic.

3.1.2 Seasonal Temperatures

A comparison of

mean water temperatures among the three pools is presented in Figure 3.

Mean, minimum, and maximum water temperatures for each sampling location and trip are

provided in Appendix D. No temperature data are available from Lockport and Brandon Pools

during the week of 22 May, as the data was lost in the field. Mean temperatures fluctuated

markedly during the first three weeks of the study. From the week of 5 April to the week of

25 April temperatures increased by 6.6 to 13.2 C in each of the three pools. The largest

increase (13.2 C) was observed in Brandon Pool and was due to temperatures in the upper Des

Plaines River being the coolest during the week of 5 April and the warmest during the week of

25 April. From the week of 25 April to the week of 1 May temperatures decreased by 2.4 to

7.1 C in each of the three pools. The largest decrease (7.1 C) was observed in Brandon Pool

and was again due to temperatures in the upper Des Plaines River. From the week of 1 May

through the week of 13 June temperatures consistently increased (except during the week of 6

June) in all pools and were consistently highest in upper Dresden Pool and lower, but typically

similar between Lockport and Brandon Pools. During the week of 20 June temperatures

continued to increase in Lockport and Brandon Pools, but decreased in upper Dresden Pool.

This decrease was due to a storm event that occurred midweek during sampling in upper

Dresden Pool, but after sampling had been completed in the upper two pools. During the

week of 26 June temperatures decreased in Lockport and Brandon Pools due to the storm event

the previous week, but increased in upper Dresden Pool. Beginning the week of 26 June and

30

---

.........),K

i

i...

/

A\

\

W

///

Yiti

..."-

.----- .....oe"

•. ''

.......

.

0

C

5

i/

i

D

=

11

FIGURE 3. TEMPORAL COMPARISON OF MEAN WATER TEMPERATURES AMONG SEGMENTS.

5 APR?

1 MAY?15 MAY?

30 MAY?

13 JUN?26 JUN?

24 JUL?

22 AUG

25 APR?8 MAY?22 MAY?6 JUN

?

20 JUN

?

9 JUL

? 7 AUG

-NE Lockport Pool

?

—I-- Brandon Pool

?

-

)1( Upper Dresden Pool

---

extending through the end of the study, temperatures were similar between Brandon and upper

Dresden Pools, and consistently cooler in Lockport Pool.

3.1.3

Seasonal Dissolved Oxygen

A comparison of mean dissolved oxygen values (DOs) among the three pools is presented in

Figure 4. Mean, minimum, and maximum DO values for each sampling location and trip are

provided in Appendix D. No DO data are available from Lockport and Brandon Pools during

the week of 22 May, as the data was lost in the field. Thus, data are available from these two

pools for 14 of the 15 sampling events.

Mean DOs in Lockport Pool were similar throughout the study period, ranging from 5.0 to 6.2

ppm. They were consistently lower than mean values in upper Dresden Pool. Minimum DO

values in Lockport Pool were below the State standard of 4.0 ppm for Secondary Contact

Waters during nine of the 14 sampling events (2.3-3.8 ppm) (Appendix D).

Mean DOs in Figure 4 for Brandon Pool represent means of values collected from the upper

Des Plaines River (tributary mouth) and main channel border Location 309 in Brandon Pool

proper. Mean DOs during each sampling event in the upper Des Plaines River were

consistently at least 1.5 times higher than in Brandon Pool proper, except during the week of

24 July when mean DOs were similar between these two locations (5.5 and 5.6 ppm)

(Appendix D). Throughout the study period, mean DOs in Brandon Pool proper were similar

to or lower than mean values observed in Lockport Pool and were consistently lower than

mean values in upper Dresden Pool (Figure 4 and Appendix D). Minimum DO values in

Brandon Pool were below the State standard of 4.0 ppm for Secondary Contact waters during

three of the 14 trips (2.8-3.8 ppm) (Appendix D). Conversely, DOs in the upper Des Plaines

River were consistently above 4.0 ppm (Appendix D). Mean DOs at this location were

typically (nine of 14 sampling events) above 10 ppm. In addition, mean DOs of greater than

13 ppm were observed during six of the 14 sampling events and these high values (except for

the week of 5 April) were likely due to photosynthetic activities by periphyton. The high DO

value (17.3 ppm) during the week of 5 April was attributable, at least in part, to the cold water

temperature (6.4 C) (Appendix D).

Mean DOs in upper Dresden Pool exhibited a general decline throughout the study period

(Figure 4). Mean DOs were higher during the first five sampling events (9.5-12.4 ppm) than

during the subsequent 10 sampling events (6.3-8.9 ppm). Mean DOs at each sampling

location during the first five sampling events were typically higher than their respective mean

values during the subsequent 10 trips (Appendix D). In addition, atypically high DOs (12.8-

30.2 ppm) were frequently observed during this period at backwater Locations 405 (Treats

Island side channel) and 414 (Bear Island slough), as well as tributary mouth Location 405

(mouth of Jackson Creek). The exceptionally high DO value of 30.2 ppm was measured (by

the Winkler method) at Location 414 (Bear Island slough) during the week of 1 May and some

cyprinid mortality was observed. During the subsequent 10 sampling events, atypically high

DO values were observed less frequently, but when they occurred they were typically

measured at backwater locations and/or the tributary mouth location (Appendix D).

32

---

A

\ a

,

\

.

?

..

/?

\ ,

/

/ i

?

\,.

,

,

?

?

,

aa

a

/\

a

\ a a

...... .......

.?

.

,. ...„•

"

,

A..

..„

\/

..........\

.,.\

..

?

Allir ..

14

12

10

E

a.

8

0

c

6

0

4

2

FIGURE 4. TEMPORAL COMPARISON OF MEAN DISSOLVED OXYGEN VALUES AMONG SEGMENTS.

5 APR

?

1 MAY

?15 MAY

?30 MAY?13 JUN

?

26 JUN?24 JUL

?22 AUG

25 APR?

8 MAY

?22 MAY?

6 JUN

?

20 JUN?9 JUL

?

7 AUG

I

ME LOCKPORT POOL

?BRANDON

POOL

?

->l<?

• UPPER DRESDEN POOL

---

These atypically high DO values were likely attributable to photosynthetic activities of

macrophytes, phytoplankton, and/or periphyton. Throughout the study period, mean DOs

were typically higher in the backwater and tributary mouth locations than at either the main

channel, main channel border, or tailwater locations (Appendix D). Mean DOs were lowest

during the weeks of 13 and 20 June which coincided with a high flow event. These lower

mean DOs were likely due to larger than normal volumes of water with lower DO being

dumped from Brandon Pool into upper Dresden Pool. No DO values less than 4.0 ppm were

measured in the Secondary Contact waters between 1-55 and the Brandon Dam. DOs in the

General Use waters downstream of 1-55 were consistently above the State standard of 5.0 ppm.

3.2 TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION

3.2.1

Overview

The primary objective of the study was to identify which of a predefined list of fish species,

having access (as adults) to the UIW, were actually spawning in the system, where and when.

Consequently, our ability to identify individual eggs and larvae to the species level was

critical. Those readers not familiar with larval fishes should understand that the taxonomy of

larval fishes in not nearly as advanced as that for adult fishes. Many larval fishes, particularly

cyprinids and percids, either remain to be described or are not adequately described for all life

stages (Hoyt 1988; Fuiman et al. 1983; Holland-Bartels 1990). Furthermore, many of the

characters (e.g., pigmentation patterns) used to describe larval fish are qualitative, rather

subjective, and change as the larvae develop. Even quantitative characters (e.g., myomere

counts) show considerable overlap among species and can vary geographically and temporally

for a given species (Bosley and Conner 1984). Thus, even common taxa (e.g.,

Lepomis)

often

cannot be assigned to the species level (Conner 1979; Lathrop 1982; Holland-Bartels 1990).

In this study, we made every effort to provide species level identifications; however, the state-

of-the-art is such that many cyprinid,

Moxostoma,

and

Lepomis

larvae cannot be identified to

species. We resolved some dichotomies based on where larvae were collected. Similarly, in

some cases, the relative abundance of adult fishes offers insight into what species are likely

represented among the higher taxonomic groupings. For example, we were able to positively

identify only one green sunfish juvenile; however, it is a reasonable assumption that many of

the

Lepomis

larvae we could not identify to the species level represent this species. Similarly,.

it is safe to say that many of the unidentified

Pimephales

we identified were bluntnose

minnows, by far the most common

Pimephales

in the study area (EA 1995). The problem is

that there is no way to determine the exact breakdown of species within these higher level

groupings.

As is common in larval fish studies, we typically could sort specimens into different "species"

but could not determine which species the sorted specimens represented. In such cases, we

followed normal convention and assigned letter codes (i.e., A, B, C, etc.) to these "species"

(e.g., Floyd et al. 1984b). Thus, in Table 8,

Lepomis

is differentiated into

Lepomis

A,

Lepomis

B,

Lepomis

C,

Lepomis

D, in addition to unidentified

Lepomis.

Similarly, many

cyprinids were separated into Cyprinid A, Cyprinid C, etc. (Appendix E), but they were

grouped into unidentified cyprinids in Table 8. In those cases when we identified specimens

34

---

by a "letter", we feel confident that each "lettered" group represents a different species, but

taxonomic keys are not available that allow us to give these "lettered" groups a species name.

As new and better taxonomic information becomes available, it might be possible to go back

and assign species names to these "lettered" groups.

We referred to three cyprinids as "types": emerald shiner type, spottail shiner type, and striped

shiner type. In these instances, the use of the word "type" indicated that the specimens in

question agree well with the species to which it was assigned, but we could not be 100 percent

certain that it in fact was that species. For example, in all likelihood specimens listed as

emerald shiner type are probably emerald shiners. However, there is a small probability that

they are not emerald shiners, but are rather a closely related species that shares many of the

same larval characteristics with emerald shiner. Our approach to the identification of

ichthyoplankton during this study was appropriate as evidenced by the conservative approach

Dr. Robert Wallus, a noted larval fish expert, took when he verified the voucher specimens.

3.2.2 Potential Spawners

Of the 101 species of fishes reported from the UIW since 1971 (Table 1) which could

represent potential spawners, a number of them can be eliminated from further consideration.

We eliminated American eel and the salmonids (five species) from consideration as potential

spawners because they do not spawn in the UIW. American eel spawns in the ocean and the

salmonids do not spawn in the UIW due to lack of appropriate spawning habitat. We also

eliminated three stocked species (threadfin shad, muskellunge, and striped bass), two exotic

aquarium or bait fishes (oriental weatherfish and rudd), and 17 species (shortnose gar, bowfin,

mooneye, silverjaw minnow, common shiner, speckled chub, silver chub, rosyface shiner,

creek chub, highfin carpsucker, blue sucker, spotted sucker, brown bullhead, stonecat, brook

stickleback, warmouth, and blackside darter) that are extremely rare in the UIW; some of

these 17 species have not been collected for five or more years (e.g., bowfin), while others are

collected primarily from the mouth of the Kankakee River (e.g., blackside darter) or

downstream of Dresden Lock and Dam (e.g., speckled chub). In fact, all of the 28 species

listed above have been represented typically by five or fewer specimens from up to 24 years of

CECo-sponsored monitoring (EA 1993a, 1993b, 1994, 1995; LMS 1993b). Thus, our list of

potential spawners includes 73 species (including three state-listed species) (Table 8).

Three state-listed species have been collected from the UIW: pallid shiner (endangered), river

redhorse (threatened), and greater redhorse (endangered) (EA 1993a, 1993b, 1994, 1995).

These species are rare in the UIW, particularly in upper Dresden Pool, but have been included

in Table 8 because they warrant special consideration since they are listed. Only one specimen

of pallid shiner has been reported from the UIW. It was collected downstream of Dresden

Lock and Dam in 1987 (EA 1988). This specimen probably came from the population known

to inhabit the Kankakee River. Pallid shiner could not be assigned to a guild since nothing is

known about its spawning habits (Kwak 1991). River redhorse has been collected from the

UIW in five of the past six years, primarily in lower Dresden Pool. However, four specimens

have been reported in upper Dresden Pool (two in 1991 and two in 1994), primarily from the

Brandon tailwater (EA 1995). These specimens probably were from the Kankakee River

35

---

TABLE 8. NUMBER AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE FISHES COLLECTED DURING THE ICHTHYOPLANKTON STUDY, 1994.

NUMBER CAUGHT

NONGUARDERS

Open Substrate Spawners

Pelagophils (pelagic spawners)

EMERALD SHINER

?

201?

0.92

EMERALD SHINER type

?

420?

1.93

FRESHWATER DRUM

?

3?

0.01

Litho-pelagophils (rock & gravel spawners

with pelagic larvae)

GIZZARD SHAD

?

4975

?

22.83

UNID DOROSOMA

?

27?

0.12

GOLDEYE

?

0?--

WALLEYE?

0

Lithophils (rock & gravel spawners

with benthic larvae)

SKIPJACK HERRING

?

pia)

ALEWIFE?

p(.)

UNID ALOSA?

179?

0.82

RAINBOW SMELT?

1?

<0.005

BIGMOUTH SHINER? 5?

0.02

SUCKERMOUTH MINNOW?

?no

WHITE SUCKER?

236?

1.08

WHITE SUCKER/N. HOG SUCKER?

271?

1.24

NORTHERN HOG SUCKER

?

5?

0.02

SILVER REDHORSE?

we)

RIVER REDHORSE

.BLACK REDHORSE

GOLDEN REDHORSE

SHORTHEAD REDHORSE

?

p(a)

GREATER REDHORSE

?

0?--

UNID MOXOSTOMA?

312?

1.43

UNID CATOSTOMINAE

?

96?

0.44

TROUT-PERCH

Phyto-lithophils (nonobligatory plant spawners)

RED SHINER

SPOTFIN SHINER

?

6?

0.03

REDFIN SHINER

(GHOST SHINER)"

MIMIC SHINER

RIVER CARPSUCKER

?

p(f)

(UNID CARPIODES)? 7?

0.03

SMALLMOUTH BUFFALO?

pla)

(UNID ICTIOBINAE)

?

29?

0.13

BLACKSTRIPE TOPMINNOW

?

6?

0.03

BROOK SILVERSIDE? 1?

<0.005

WHITE PERCH

?

pa")

WHITE BASS

YELLOW BASS

?

Plc)

UNID MORONE

?

6?

0.03

YELLOW PERCH

?

2?

0.01

Phytophils (obligatory plant spawners)

LONGNOSE GAR?

2?

0.01

CENTRAL MUDMINNOW

GRASS PICKEREL?

0

NORTHERN PIKE?

0?--

GOLDFISH

?

81?

0.37

COMMON CARP?

3757?

17.24

CARP/GOLDFISH

?

248?

1.14

GOLDEN SHINER?

31?

0.14

BIGMOUTH BUFFALO

BLACK BUFFALO

36

---

TABLE 8 (cont.)

NUMBER CAUGHT

NONGUARDERS (cant.)

Substrate Spawners (cont.)

Psammophils (sand spawners)

SPOTTAIL SHINER?

176

?

0.81

SPOTTAIL SHINER type

?

272

?

1.25

SAND SHINER

?

34?

0.16

QUILLBACK

LOGPERCH?

1?

<0.005

(UNID PERCINA)?

2?

0.01

Brood Hiders

Lithophils (rock and gravel spawners)

HORNYHEAD CHUB

?0

SLENDERHEAD DARTER

GUARDERS

Substrate Choosers

Phytophils (plant spawners)

WHITE CRAPPIE

Nest Spawners

Lithophils (rock and gravel nesters)

p(c)

CENTRAL STONEROLLER

3

0.01

BLACK BULLHEAD

0

--

ROCK BASS

1 <0.005

GREEN SUNFISH

1

<0.005

ORANGESPOTTED SUNFISH

PM

BLUEGILL

17

0.08

LONGEAR SUNFISH

LEPOMIS A

137

0.63

LEPOMIS C

16

0.07

LEPOMIS D

4

0.02

(UNID LEPOMIS)

5486 25.18

SMALLMOUTH BASS

1 <0.005

Phytophils (plant material nesters)

LARGEMOUTH BASS

8

0.04

UNID MICROPTERUS

4

0.02

BLACK CRAPPIE

1 <0.005

(BANDED DARTER)

Speleophils

(nest in

holes & crevices;

undersides of rocks)

STRIPED SHINER

25

0.11

STRIPED SHINER type

1

<0.005

BLUNTNOSE MINNOW

2923 13.42

FATHEAD MINNOW

89

0.41

BULLHEAD MINNOW

p(6)

UNID PIMEPHALES

1022

4.69

YELLOW BULLHEAD

1 <0.005

CHANNEL CATFISH

11

0.05

TADPOLE MADTOM

2

0.01

FLATHEAD CATFISH

0

JOHNNY DARTER

6

0.03

ORANGETHROAT DARTER

RAINBOW/ORANGETHROAT DARTER

2

0.01

open

---

TABLE 8 (cont.)

NUMBER CAUGHT

GUARDERS (cont.)

Nest Spawners (cont.)

Polyphils (misc. substrate and

material nesters)

PUMPKINSEED

Pw

(LEPOMIS B)

7

0.03

Ariadnophils (gluemaking nesters;

misc. substates)

THREESPINE STICKLEBACK

1

<0.005

BEARERS

Internal Bearers

MOSQUITOFISH

12

0.06

UNASSIGNED

UNID CLUPEIDAE

266

1.22

PALLID SHINER

0

--

UNID CYPRINID

324

1.49

UNID POMOX1S

4

0.02

UNID CENTRARCHID

1

<0.005

UNID ETHEOSTOMA

2

0.01

UNID PERCID

2

0.01

UNIDENTIFIED

17

0.08

TOTAL FISH

21789

100.00

(a)

Skipjack herring and alewife both likely represented by unidentified Alosa.

(b)

Question mark (?) indicates that this species may be represented among specimens identified to a higher

taxonomy (e.g., genus, family).

(c)

Collected as young-of-the-year during the 1994 adult fish study (EA 1995).

(d)

Golden redhorse likely represented by unidentified Moxostoma.

(e)

Taxa in parentheses are provisionally assigned to a guild.

(f)

River carpsucker likely.represented by unidentified Carpiodes and/or Ictiobinae.

(g)

Smalimouth buffalo likely represented by unidentified Ictiobinae.

(h)

White perch likely represented by unidentified Morone.

(i)

Orangespotted sunfish likely represented by unidentified Lepomis.

(j)

Orangethroat darter likely represented by Rainbow/Orangethroat darter.

(k)

Pumpkinseed likely represented by Lepomis B.

38

---

population, which is the best in the state (Smith 1979). From 1989-1994, five greater

redhorse have been collected from the UIW and all except one of these specimens were

collected downstream of Dresden Lock and Dam. In 1993, one greater redhorse was collected

from lower Dresden Pool, which represents the only record of the species upstream of Dresden

Lock and Dam (EA 1994, 1995). It is unclear whether the specimens collected from the

Illinois River are part of a population that resides in the Illinois River itself or are strays from

recently discovered populations in the Fox and Vermillion Rivers (Seegert 1991). No YOY

specimens have been collected in the UIW for these three listed species and river redhorse is

probably the only one of these three species that has any likelihood of spawning in the UIW.

Balon proposed 33 reproductive guilds divided into three major sections, each with two

subsections: 1) nonguarders, which ignore eggs and larvae after spawning and either spawn on

open substrates or hide their broods, 2) guarders, which protect and/or aerate eggs and larvae

after spawning and either choose the substrate on which the brood is reared, or construct a nest

to receive the brood, and 3) bearers, which carry their eggs either on or in the parent's body.

Sixty-four percent of the potential spawners in the UIW (47 species) were assigned to the

"nonguarders" section, 33 percent were assigned to the "guarders" section (24 species), one

species (mosquitofish) was assigned to the "bearers" section, and one species (pallid shiner)

was unassigned. Fourteen of Balon's 33 guilds were represented by potential spawners.

3.2.3 Larval and Juvenile Fishes

During the 1994 ichthyoplankton study, a total of 21,789 larval and juvenile (=young-of-the-

year [YOY]) fish was collected representing conservatively 48 of the 73 potential spawning

species (66 percent) and all 14 reproductive guilds represented by the potential spawners

(Table 8). These 48 species include five species (bullhead minnow, silver redhorse, shorthead

redhorse, yellow bass, and white crappie) that were collected as YOY during the 1994 adult

fish study (EA 1995), but were not collected (or at least could not be identified to the species

level) during this study. Also included are nine species (skipjack herring, alewife, river

carpsucker, smallmouth buffalo, white perch, pumpkinseed, orangespotted sunfish, and.

orangethroat darter) because they are likely represented among the specimens that were

identified to a higher taxonomic level (e.g., genus, family, etc.) based on either their

abundance in the adult fish collections or where a particular taxon was collected within the

UIW (e.g., Lockport Pool vs.

upper Dresden Pool). Conversely, there were 11 species that

were definitely not represented by larvae or YOYs in 1994. An additional 14 species may

have been represented among specimens identified to .a higher taxonomy (Table 8). The

distribution of larval and YOY species collected in 1994 can be summarized as follows:

Definitely collected as larvae or YOYs-

Probably collected as larvae or YOYs-

Possibly collected as larvae or YOYs-

Definitely not collected as larvae or YOYs-

39 species

9 species

14 species

11 species

73 species

39

---

The larval/juvenile catch was dominated by

Lepomis

(26.0 percent), clupeidae (25.0 percent;

primarily gizzard shad), carp and goldfish (18.8 percent; primarily carp), and

Pimephales

(18.5 percent; primarily bluntnose minnow) (Table 8). These same taxa were also the most

abundant taxa collected electrofishing, within the same study area, during the 1994 adult fish

collections: clupeidae (29.8 percent; primarily gizzard shad), carp and goldfish (23.0 percent;

primarily carp),

Pimephales

(20.0 percent; primarily bluntnose minnow), and

Lepomis

(10.0

percent; primarily green sunfish) (EA 1995). Emerald shiner (2.9 percent), white sucker/n.

hog sucker (2.3 percent), spottail shiner (2.1 percent), and

Moxostoma

(1.4 percent) were

common in the larval/juvenile catch. These taxa were also common in the 1994 adult fish

collections: emerald shiner (2.5 percent), white sucker (2.3 percent), spottail shiner (1.2

percent), and

Moxostoma

(1.1 percent). Conversely, Ictiobinae (carpsuckers/buffalos),

channel catfish, largemouth bass, and freshwater drum were common during the adult fish

collections (1.5-2.6 percent), but were rare or uncommon (0.01-0.16 percent) in the

larval/juvenile collections. All other taxa (excluding unidentified cyprinidae and catostominae)

were rare in the larval/juvenile and adult fish collections.

3.2.4 Fish Eggs

During the 1994 ichthyoplankton study, a total of 29,407 fish eggs was collected representing

only three identifiable taxa:

Taxa

Number

Percent

Carp

13,136

44.7

Carp/goldfish

250

0.9

Freshwater drum

757

2.6

Unidentified

15,264

51.9

Total

29,407

As presented above, nearly 45 percent of the fish eggs collected were carp eggs. These eggs

were identified to species when two conditions were met: 1) carp were observed spawning

during sample collection, and 2) the eggs collected from such areas were consistent with carp

eggs as described in the literature. The carp/goldfish eggs were identified as such by

observing the characteristic carp or goldfish pigmentation pattern on late embryos through the

chorion. Freshwater drum was the only species for which eggs could be positively identified.

Of the unidentified eggs, approximately 99 percent of them were demersal, adhesive, of

relatively similar size and shape, lacked oil globules, and appeared to be consistent with

cyprinid eggs particularly with respect to carp and possibly

Pimephales.

Furthermore, 47

percent of the unidentified eggs were collected during physical examination of vegetation

(Appendix C) and carp eggs would be expected to be collected in association with vegetation

(Appendix A). Within the remaining approximately one percent, eggs may have been

observed for clupeidae, emerald shiner, other cyprinidae (besides carp,

Pimephales,

and

emerald shiner), ictaluridae, centrarchidae,

Etheostoma,

and

Percina;

however, eggs of these

taxa were extremely rare. Eggs were not observed for goldeye, walleye, white sucker,

40

---

northern hog sucker,

Moxostoma,

blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, yellow perch,

longnose gar, grass pickerel, northern pike, and mosquitofish (live bearers) based on either the

distinct nature of their eggs (e.g., large diameter, filamentous attachments, gelatinous mass,

etc.), or that no eggs resembling eggs for these taxa were collected during the periods for

which they would have been expected to spawn, or that sampling was not conducted early

enough to collect their eggs (i.e., northern pike and grass pickerel).

3.3 SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION

3.3.1 Nonguarders

3.3.1.1 Pelagophils

Both

representatives of this guild (emerald shiner and freshwater drum) were collected (Table

8). Selected key features of early ontogeny for this guild include numerous buoyant eggs,

none

or

poorly developed embryonic respiratory organs, little pigment, and no photophobia

(Salon 1981).

Emerald shiner

Emerald shiner spawns in nearshore areas of large lakes and large rivers in depths of two to six

meters (Appendix A). It spawns over hard sand or mud that is free of detritus, gravel shoals,

boulders, and coarse rubble. Eggs are demersal and non-adhesive and are deposited on the

substrate. Yolk-sac larvae remain on the substrate for approximately four days; post yolk-sac

larvae and juveniles are pelagic. Larval emerald shiners were particularly common in main

channel drift samples from the Ohio and upper Mississippi Rivers (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990

and

ESE

1992).

Emerald shiner was among the four most abundant species collected within the study area

during adult fish collections the past two years (EA 1994, 1995). During this study, it was

also an abundant component of the catch (Table 8), and was collected as yolk-sac larvae, post

yolk-sac larvae, and juveniles (Appendix C). It probably was also represented by eggs and

additional yolk-sac larvae are probably represented in the unidentified cyprinids. Although it

was collected in all three pools (i.e., Lockport Pool, Brandon Pool, and upper Dresden Pool),

it was abundant in upper Dresden Pool, occasionally collected in Lockport Pool, and rare in

Brandon Pool (Table 9). During the 1994 adult fish study, adults were abundant in upper

Dresden Pool, uncommon in Brandon Pool, and were rare in Lockport Pool, similar to the

spatial pattern exhibited by the early life stages.

YOYs

of this species were collected in

Brandon and upper Dresden Pools during the 1994 adult fish study; none were collected in

Lockport Pool (EA 1995).

It

was first observed in upper Dresden Pool (week of 22 May) followed four weeks later (week

of

20 June) in Lockport and Brandon Pools (Figure

5).

Mean water temperatures at initial

occurrence were 23.7, 25.3, and 27.4 C, respectively (Figure 3). In upper Dresden Pool,

spawning may have been slightly earlier than expected, whereas spawning in Lockport and

41

---

TABLE 9. NUMBER AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE FISHES COLLECTED WITHIN EACH STUDY SEGMENT.

UPPER DRESDEN

LOCKPORT POOL?

BRANDON POOL?

POOL?

COMBINED

MONGUARDERS

Open Substrate Spawners

Pelagophils

EMERALD SHINER14

58

2.20

5 0.19

558 3.39

621 2.85

FRESHWATER DRUM

2 0.08

1 0.01

3 0.01

Litho-pelagophils

GIZZARD SHADI°

66

2.51

110 4.06

4826 29.34

5002 22.95

Lithophils

UNID ALOSA

174 6.61

1 0.04

4 0.02

179 0.82

RAINBOW SMELT

1 0.04

--

--

1 <0.005

BIGMOUTH SHINER

--

--

--

--

5 0.03

5

0.02

WHITE SUCKER

212 7.83

24

0.15

236 1.08

WHITE SUCKER/N. HOG SUCKER

--

--

271 1.65

271

1.24

NORTHERN HOG SUCKER

--

5

0.03

5

0.02

SHORTHEAD

SILVER REDHORSEREDHORSE

--

p(c)

--

P

P

--

--

P

P

--

--

UNID MOXOSTOMA

57

2.11

255

1.55

312 1.43

UNID CATOSTOMINAE

22 0.81

74

0.45

96

0.44

Phyto-lithophils

SPOTFIN SHINER

5 0.18

1 0.01

6

0.03

(UNID CARPIODES)(°)

7 0.04

7 0.03

(UNID ICTIOBINAE)

29 0.18

29 0.13

BLACKSTRIPE TOPMINNOW

3 0.11

3 0.02

6 0.03

BROOK SILVERSIDE

1

0.01

1 <0.005

YELLOW BASS

P

--

P

--

UNID MORONE

3

0.11

2 0.07

1 0.01

6

0.03

YELLOW PERCH

2 0.08

--

--

2 0.01

Phytophils

LONGNOSE GAR

--

--

--

--

2 0.01

2

0.01

GOLDFISH

61

2.32

6 0.22

14 0.09

81 0.37

COMMON CARP

1593 60.48

832 30.74

1332 8.10

3757 17.24

CARP/GOLDFISH

146 5.54

66 2.44

36

0.22

248 1.14

GOLDEN SHINER

12 0.46

2

0.07

17 0.10

31 0.14

Psammophils

SPOTTAIL SHINER'

12 0.46

436 2.65

448

2.06

SAND SHINER

34

0.21

34 0.16

LOGPERCH

1 0.01

1 <0.005

(UNID PERCINA)

2 0.01

2 0.01

GUARDERS

Substrate Choosers

Phytophils

White crappie

42

---

TABLE 9 (cont.)

UPPER DRESDEN

LOCKPORT POOL

?

BRANDON POOL

?

POOL

?

COMBINED

GUARDERS (cont.)

x--

x__

x--

%--

Nest Spawners

Lithophils

CENTRAL STONEROLLER

3

0.02

3 0.01

ROCK BASS

1 0.01

1 <0.005

GREEN SUNFISH

--

--

1 0.01

1

<0.005

BLUEGILL

1 0.04

7 0.26

9 0.05

17

0.08

UNID LEP0M1Sm

41

1.56

1 0.04

5601 34.05

5643 25.90

SNALLMOUTH BASS

--

--

1 0.01

1 <0.005

Phytophils

LARGEMOUTH BASS'

12 0.07

12 0.06

BLACK CRAPPIE

1 0.01

1 <0.005

Speleophils

STRIPED SHINER''

--

--

--

--

26 0.16

26

0.12

BLUNTNOSE MINNOW

3

0.11

967 35.72

1953 11.87

2923

13.42

FATHEAD MINNOW

84

3.19

--

--

5 0.03

89

0.41

BULLHEAD MINNOW

--

--

P

--

P

--

UNID PIMEPHALES

197

7.48

275 10.16

550

3.34

1022 4.69

YELLOW BULLHEAD

--

--

1

0.01

1

<0.005

CHANNEL CATFISH

1

0.04

10 0.06

11

0.05

TADPOLE MADTOM

2 0.01

2

0.01

JOHNNY DARTER

6 0.04

6

0.03

RAINBOW/ORANGETHROAT DARTER

2

0.01

2

0.01

Polyphils

PUMPKINSEED

--

--

LEPOMIS B

7

0.27

7

0.03

Ariadnochils

THREESPINE STICKLEBACK

1 0.04

1 <0.005

BEARERS

Internal Bearers

MOSQUITOFISH

10 0.38

2 0.07

12

0.06

UNASSIGNED

UNID CLUPEIDAE

118 4.48

1

0.04

147 0.89

266

1.22

UNID CYPRINID

39 1.48

128

4.73

157

0.95

324 1.49

UNID POMOXIS

--

--

--

--

4 0.02

4

0.02

UNID CENTRARCHID

1

0.04

--

--

1 <0.005

UNID ETHEOSTOMA

--

--

2

0.01

2

0.01

UNID PERCID

--

--

--

--

2

0.01

2

0.01

UNIDENTIFIED

2 0.08

2 0.07

13 0.08

17

0.08

TOTAL FISH

2634 100.00

2707 100.00

16448 100.00

21789 100.00

(a)

Includes specimens identified to "type".

(b)

Includes unidentified Dorosoma.

c)

Collected as young-of-the-year within this study area during the 1994 adult fish study (EA 1995).

d)

Taxa in parentheses are provisionally assigned to a guild.

.e) Includes leomnis specimens identified by a 'getter".

(f) Includes unidentified Microoterus.

---

FIGURE 5. COMPARISONS OF THE PERIOD OF OCCURRENCE FOR EMERALD SHINER, FRESHWATER DRUM, AND GIZZARD SHAD.

5 APR

25 APR

1 MAY

8 MAY

15 MAY

22 MAY

30 MAY

6 JUN 13 JUN

20 JUN

26 JUN

9 JUL

24

JUL

7 AUG

22

AUG

; :.7111:20.......,....:,.._

ploom

pgspa

,..:,:::?

.., .m...:NI:

SEtratalt

]-,,

,

EA

N

makERSIES

Gig

IMMINIONNA26::::::.::::i

.

?

....

?

....

??

.....

?

..,....

?

,

..,s.:...,:...,a:n.:.:,

None

glIg

nii: PRONIN

BM

....s

?

...

?

„..

?

.::::::,,,,.....,

gungli

mpg

Mgt

gisor

his?

giggm

?

IFINOilOtt

!l ip

.

;

isim

Igegaiggipow

Emerald shiner

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Freshwater drum

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Gizzard shad

Expected Spawning Period

4=- Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

---

Brandon Pools probably occurred when expected (Figure

5).

Emerald shiners were most

abundant in upper Dresden Pool during the week of 20 June, whereas the peak in Lockport

Pool occurred three weeks later (week of 9 July).

Emerald shiners were collected in all mesohabitats, except in the upper Des Plaines River

(Table 10). They were most commonly collected from the mouth of Jackson Creek (44.3

percent) in upper Dresden Pool and the backwaters of upper Dresden Pool (27.4 percent)

(Table 10 and Appendix C). In Lockport Pool, they were almost exclusively collected in the

main channel at Location 301 near Will County Station from the small eroded coves of the

vertical rock wall (Appendix C). Adult emerald shiners can be locally abundant near Will

County Station (EA 1993a). It appears that emerald shiners in the UIW prefer backwaters and

coves for nursery areas. Emerald shiners were collected most frequently by seining and light

trapping (Appendix C).

Freshwater drum

Freshwater drum spawns in open water at or near the surface (Appendix A). Eggs are

broadcast singly and are demersal or semi-buoyant and pelagic. Yolk-sac larvae are pelagic

and can be much more abundant in surface waters upstream of locks and dams than in other

areas of a pool in the upper Mississippi River (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990). In the lower

Mississippi River, yolk-sac larvae were found to be most abundant during the day, whereas

older larvae were most abundant at night (Gallagher and Conner 1983). Post yolk-sac larvae

are also pelagic and are found in main channel bottom waters and tend to migrate to the

surface at night. Juveniles are benthic and tend to school (Appendix A).

During this study, 757 eggs and only three larvae were collected (Section 3.2.4 and Table 8).

All but four of the eggs were collected from upper Dresden Pool, primarily from mid-channel

tows at Location 407 (adjacent to Treats Island) (Appendix E). However, this number of eggs

is small since one drum can produce between 34,000 and 850,000 eggs (Auer 1982). The

remaining four eggs were collected in Lockport Pool; none were collected in Brandon Pool.

One yolk-sac larva was collected in upper Dresden Pool, two post yolk-sac larvae were

collected in Lockport Pool, and no larvae were collected in Brandon Pool (Table 10). YOY

drum were collected from upper Dresden and Brandon Pools during the 1994 adult fish study,

but none were collected from Lockport Pool (EA 1995). It is uncertain why few freshwater

drum eggs and even fewer larvae were collected in upper Dresden Pool; freshwater drum have

been fairly common in this pool during the adult fish studies of the past two years (EA 1994,

1995). It is possible that the drum eggs were flushed downstream and developed outside of the

study area as most drum eggs (89 percent) were collected in mid-channel tows at Location

407, the furthest downstream tow location. It is also possible that freshwater drum did not

spawn successfully within upper Dresden Pool during 1994. The possibility that the 1994 year

class was poor is supported by the fact that only nine YOY drum were collected within upper

Dresden Pool in 1994 during the adult fish study (EA 1995), compared to 29 in 1993 (EA

1994). However, the absence or near absence of freshwater drum eggs and larvae in Lockport

and Brandon Pools is not surprising as no freshwater drum were collected from Lockport Pool

during the adult fish surveys the past two years and it was extremely rare in

45

---

TABLE 10. NUMBER AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE FISHES COLLECTED WITHIN EACH MESOHABITAT TYPE.

MAIN CHANNEL?

UPPER DES

?

JACKSON?

BRANDON

BORDER?

MAIN CHANNEL BACKWATER

?

PLAINES?

CREEK

?

TAILWATER?

COMBINED

#_ %?

#?

%

?#_ %

?

#_ __% ?

# ?

%

?

%

?

#_ __%__

NONGUARDERS

Open Substrate Spaiiiers

Peagophils

EMERALD SHINER"

85 13.69

56 9.02 170

27.38

275 44.28

35 5.64

621

2.85

FRESHWATER DRUM

1 33.33

1

33.33

1

33.33

3

0.01

Litho-pelagophils

GIZZARD SHAD

th)

221?4.42

56 1.12 275 5.50

-- 4273 85.43 177 3.54

5002 22.95

Lithophils

UNID ALOSA

14

?7.82 142 79.33

23 12.85

179

0.82

RAINBOW SMELT

--?

--

1 100.0

--

--

-- --

1 <0.005

BIGMOUTH SHINER

--?

-- --

--

-- --

--

--

5 100.0

5

0.02

WHITE SUCKER

21?8.90

2 0.85

212 89.83

-- --

1 0.42 236

1.08

WHITE SUCKER/N. HOG SUCKER

148 53.82

3 1.09

-- --

1 0.36. 119

43.27

271 1.24

NORTHERN HOG SUCKER

--?

--

1

20.00

4

80.00

-- -- 5

0.02

SILVER REDHORSE

p(a)

?

--

--

--

--

--

P

--

SHORTHEAD REDHORSE

P?

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

P

--

UNID MOXOSTOMA

75 24.04

22 7.05

57 18.27

1 0.32 157 50.32 312

1.43

UNID CATOSTOMINAE

24 25.00

6 6.25

22 22.92

44 45.83

96 0.44

Phyto-lithophils

SPOTFIN SHINER

1 16.67

5

83.33

--

--

6

0.03

(UNID CARPIODES) (rn

--

--

6 85.71

--

--

--

--

1 14.29

7 0.03

(UNID ICTIOBINAE)

--?

-- 5 17.24 22 75.86

--

--

2 6.90

--

--

29

0.13

BLACKSTRIPE TOPMINNOW

1?

16.67

-- --

3 50.00

2 33.33

--

--

6 0.03

BROOK SILVERSIDE

--?

--

--

--

--

--

1

100.0

1 <0.005

YELLOWBASS(*)

--?

--

--

--

--

--

P

--

UNID MORONE

2 33.33

4

66.67

6 0.03

YELLOW PERCH

--?

-- 2 100.0

2 0.01

Phytophils

LONGNOSE GAR

--?

--

--

--

1

50.00

--

--

1

50.00

2 0.01

GOLDFISH

38 46.91

16

19.75

25 30.86

--

--

2

2.47

--

__

81 0.37

COMMON CARP

1800 47.91 399 10.62 648 17.25 473 12.59 270 7.19 167

4.45

3757 17.24

CARP/GOLDFISH

74 29.84

23 9.27

60 24.19

65 26.21

21 8.47

5 2.02

248 1.14

GOLDEN SHINER

6 19.35

3 9.68

10 32.26

2 6.45

9

29.03

1 3.23

31 0.14

Psammophils

SPOTTAIL SHINER"

96 21.43

6 1.34 117 26.12

199 44.42

30 6.70 448 2.06

SAND SHINER

30 88.24

1 2.94

1

2.94

--

--

2 5.88

34 0.16

LOGPERCH

--?

--

-- -- -- --

1

100.0 --

--

1 <0.005

(UNID PERCINA)

1 50.00

1 50.00

2 0.01

GUARDERS

Substrate Choosers

Phytophils

WHITE CRAPPIErn

Nest Spawners

Lithophils

CENTRAL STONEROLLER

ROCK BASS

GREEN SUNFISH

BLUEGILL

UNID LEPOMIS(g)

SMALLMOUTH BASS

--

39

--

--

0.69

--

1 5.88

1

1

--

6

346

--

33.33

100.0

--

35.29

6.13

--

--

7

1

--

--

41.18

0.02

--

--

2

5256

--

--

11.76

93.14

--

2

--

1

1

1

1

66.67

--

100.0

5.88

0.02

100.0

3

1

1

17

5643

1

0.01

<0.005

<0.005

0.08

25.90

<0.005

46

---

TABLE 10 (cont.)

GUARDERS

(cont.)

MAIN CHANNEL

BORDER

?

MAIN CHANNEL

#_

?

X?

#

?

X__

BACKWATER

#_

?

%

UPPER DES

PLAINES

#_

?

%

JACKSON

CREEK?

TAILWATER

#_ __%__

BRANDON

#_

?

%

COMBINED

#_

?

X

Nest Spawners (cant.)

PhytoOils

LARGEMOUTH BASSIN

2 16.67

6 50.00

4 33.33

12 0.06

BLACK CRAPPIE

1 100.0

1 <0.005

Speteophits

STRIPED SHINER')

3 11.54

13 50.00

2 7.69

8 30.77

26

0.12

BLUNTNOSE MINNOW

929

31.78

3 0.10

216 7.39 962

32.91 156 5.34 657 22.48

2923 13.42

FATHEAD MINNOW

79 88.76

5 5.62

2 2.25

1 1.12

2 2.25

89 0.41

BULLHEAD MINNOW°

--

-- -- --

P--

--

--

--

--

P

--

UNID PIMEPHALES

208 20.35

77 7.53

58 5.68

254 24.85

67 6.56 358 35.03

1022 4.69

YELLOW BULLHEAD

--

--

--

--

1 100.0

1 <0.005

CHANNEL CATFISH

9 81.82

1

9.09

1

9.09

-- --

11

0.05

TADPOLE MADTOM

--

--

1 50.00

1

50.00

2 0.01

JOHNNY DARTER

6 100.0

--

--

6

0.03

RAINBOW/ORANGETHROAT DARTER

2

100.0

2 0.01

Polyphils

PUMPKINSEED

LEPOMIS B

3 42.86

4 57.14

7 0.03

Ariadnophits

THREESPINE STICKLEBACK

1 100.0

1 <0.005

BEARERS

Internal Bearers

MOSQUITOFISH

1 8.33

9 75.00

2

16.67

12 0.06

UNASSIGNED

UNID CLUPEIDAE

16 6.02 106 39.85

15 5.64

124

46.62

5

1.88

266 1.22

UNID CYPRINID

44

13.58

34 10.49

40 12.35 127

39.20

53 16.36

26 8.02 324 1.49

UNID PONOXIS

4 100.0

4 0.02

UNID CENTRARCHID

1 100,0

1 <0.005

UNID ETHEOSTOMA

2

100.0

--

--

2 0.01

UNID PERCID

1

50.00

1

50.00

2 0.01

UNIDENTIFIED

1 5.88

5 29.41

2 11.76

8 47.06

1 5.88

17

0.08

TOTAL FISH

3961 18.18

961 4.41 2116 9.71 2194

10.07 10740 49.29 1817 8.34

21789 100.0

a)

.b)

(c)

d)

e)

(f)

(9)

-h)

i)

Includes specimens identified to "type".

Includes unidentified

Dorosoma.

Collected as young-of-the-year within this study area during the 1994

collected in the mouth of Grant Creek in upper Dresden Pool.

Taxa in parentheses are provisionally assigned to a guild.

One YOY yellow bass was collected from the mouth Grant Creek in upper

All YOY white crappie were collected from the mouth Grant Creek in up

Includes

Lepomis

specimens identified by a " et ter" .

Includes unidentified

Micropterus.

Bullhead minnow were also collected from the mouth of Grant Creek.

adult fish study (EA 1995). Silver redhorse was also

Dresden Pool.

per Dresden Pool.

47

---

Brandon

Pool

during this period (EA 1994, 1995). Thus, the eggs and post yolk-sac larvae

collected in Lockport Pool represent the only collections of this species for this pool during

CECo-sponsored studies the past two years.

Freshwater drum eggs were first observed in upper Dresden Pool (week of 15 May) followed

four weeks later (week of 13 June) in Lockport Pool (Figure 5). Mean water temperatures at

initial occurrence were 22.8 and 23.3 C, respectively (Figure 3). In both pools, spawning

occurred when expected (Figure 5). Freshwater drum eggs were most abundant in upper

Dresden

Pool

during the weeks of 15 May and 6 June. It is interesting to note that no drum

eggs were collected in upper Dresden Pool during the weeks of 13 and 20 June, during a

period

of high flow. The yolk-sac larva in upper Dresden Pool was collected during the week

of 22 May, whereas the post yolk-sac larvae in Lockport Pool were collected during the weeks

of

20 June and 9 July.

3.3.1.2 Litho-pelagophils

This guild is represented by three potential spawners: gizzard shad, goldeye, and walleye

(Table 8). Selected key features of early ontogeny for the guild include adhesive chorion at

first, some eggs soon buoyant, after hatching the larvae are pelagic by positive buoyancy or

active movement, no photophobia, and limited embryonic respiratory structures. Gizzard shad

was the only species of the three that was collected during the study. The absence of eggs,

larvae, and juveniles for goldeye and walleye is not surprising since these two species were not

collected in Lockport and Brandon Pools during the adult fish collections the past two years

and they were extremely rare in upper Dresden Pool during the same period (EA 1994, 1995).

Therefore, discussion of this guild will be limited to gizzard shad.

Gizzard shad

Gizzard shad spawns in a variety of habitats over a variety of substrates (Appendix A). Eggs

are broadcast singly, demersal, and adhesive; drift with the current slowly sinking to the

bottom and adhere

to

anything they come in contact with. For the first two to four days, yolk-

sac larvae repeatedly passively sink and actively swim-up, which concentrates them away from

the substrate and toward the surface making them susceptible to currents, wave action, and

wind. Post yolk-sac larvae are reported in greatest abundance in areas with little or no current

and little or no water fluctuation (i.e., floodplains, backwaters, bays, etc.). Juveniles occur

over mud bottoms close inshore, in beds of vegetation, and usually in shallow water. In late

summer, large schools are frequently observed near the surface of reservoirs. They exhibit

this

open

water schooling behavior until fall.

Gizzard shad was the second most abundant species collected within the study area during

adult fish collections the past two years (EA 1994, 1995). During this study, it was also the

second most abundant taxa collected (Table 8), and was collected as yolk-sac larvae, post yolk-

sac larvae, and juveniles (Appendix C). It probably was also represented by a few eggs;

additional post yolk-sac larvae are probably represented among the unidentified clupeids (all

damaged larvae). Although it was collected in all three pools, it was abundant in upper

48

---

Dresden Pool, common in Brandon Pool, and occasional in Lockport Pool (Table 9). The

distribution of the larval/juvenile catch among the three pools was: upper Dresden Pool = 96

percent, Brandon Pool = 2 percent, and Lockport Pool = 1 percent (Table 9). This is similar

to the distribution of the YOYs collected during the 1994 adult fish study: upper Dresden Pool

= 86 percent, Brandon Pool = 12 percent, and Lockport Pool = 2 percent (EA 1995).

During the 1994 adult fish study, adult gizzard shad were common in upper Dresden Pool,

occasionally collected in Lockport Pool, and were uncommon in Brandon Pool, fairly similar

to the spatial pattern exhibited by the early life stages and YOYs.

Gizzard shad larvae were first observed in upper Dresden Pool (week of 15 May) followed

three weeks later (week of 6 June) in Lockport and Brandon Pools (Figure 5). Mean water

temperatures at initial occurrence were 22.8, 20.7, and 20.2 C, respectively (Figure 3). In all

three pools, spawning occurred when expected (Figure 5). Gizzard shad were most abundant

in upper Dresden Pool during the week of 22 May, whereas the peak in Brandon Pool

occurred four weeks later (week of 20 June).

Gizzard shad were collected in all mesohabitats, except for the upper Des Plaines River (Table

10). They were markedly more abundant in the mouth of Jackson Creek (85 percent) in upper

Dresden Pool than in any other mesohabitat (one to six percent) (Table 10 and Appendix C).

It is uncertain why there was such a large concentration of gizzard shad at this location,

particularly compared to other backwater locations in upper Dresden Pool. The mouth of

Jackson Creek is functionally a quiet, backwater area. Compared to other backwaters in upper

Dresden Pool, this location is smaller and deeper, better protected from wind and wave action,

and contains more boulder/slab and "clean" gravel substrates, particularly in deep, nearshore

areas. These physical characteristics may make this location a preferred spawning/nursery

area for gizzard shad. In upper Dresden Pool, this species was collected primarily by light

trapping and seining. In Brandon Pool, all gizzard shad were collected at main channel border

Location 309 (directly upstream of the Brandon Road Dam) by light trapping. In Lockport

Pool, nearly all gizzard shad were collected in mid-channel tows near Will County Station

(Location 301) (Appendix C).

3.3.1.3 Lithophils

This guild is represented by 14 potential spawning species: skipjack herring, alewife, rainbow

smelt, bigmouth shiner, suckermouth minnow, white sucker, northern hog sucker, silver

redhorse, river redhorse, black redhorse, golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse, greater

redhorse, and trout-perch (Table 8). Selected key features of early ontogeny for this guild

include deposition of eggs over clean gravel-rock substrates and photophobic larvae that are

adapted for living in well-oxygenated interstitial waters. The embryonic respiratory system is

only moderately developed in these fishes (Balon 1975, 1981). Nine of the 14 species were

represented by larval and/or YOY specimens during this study and/or the 1994 adult fish study

(Table 8). We include both skipjack herring and alewife among the nine species. Unidentified

Alosa

was collected in all three pools; based on the adult fish data (EA 1994, 1995), alewife is

the likely choice for Lockport Pool and skipjack herring is the likely choice for upper Dresden

Pool. Golden redhorse was also included in the nine species as it was likely represented by

49

---

unidentified

Moxostoma

since it was the second most commonly collected

Moxostoma

in the

study area during adult fish studies the past two years (EA 1994, 1995). Among the remaining

five species not clearly represented by eggs or larvae, suckermouth minnow, black redhorse,

and river redhorse may have been represented by larval/juvenile specimens in the higher

taxonomic groupings; greater redhorse (see Section 3.2.2) and trout-perch were not collected

(Table 8). These five species are rare in the study area and since no YOY specimens have

been collected from the study area during recent adult fish collections (EA 1993a, 1994,

1995), they are excluded from further discussion. Rainbow smelt and bigmouth shiner were

rare in the larval/juvenile collections (Table 8) and were not collected during adult fish studies

the past two years (EA 1994, 1995). Thus, they will not be discussed further. However, it

should be noted that this collection of bigmouth shiner YOYs represents the first record of this

species from upper Dresden Pool during CECo-sponsored monitoring (EA 1993a, 1994,

1995). All previous records of this species in the UIW have been from lower Dresden Pool or

downstream of Dresden Lock and Dam (EA 1993b). All bigmouth shiners collected during

this study came from the Brandon tailwater (Appendix C).

Alosa

spp.

Anadromous alewife populations spawn in headwaters of brooks, large rivers, small streams,

ponds, and flooded swamplands. Landlocked populations such as those in Lake Michigan

retain anadromous habits, moving to headwaters of lakes and in tributaries, shallow bays, and

nearshore areas of lakes to spawn. Spawning substrate is quite variable. Eggs are broadcast at

random and are demersal, semidemersal, or pelagic. Nearshore waters are important nursery

areas. Alewife remain on or near spawning grounds until the late larval stage and move

slowly into protected areas on their way to deep water. Larvae are positively phototrophic and

pelagic. Juveniles are essentially pelagic until age two (Wallus et al. 1990).

Little is known about the early life history of skipjack herring (Appendix A). Adults migrate

upstream in spring and congregate in swift waters below dams. Ripe or ripe and running

adults have been collected in a headwater tributary, tailwaters of a dam, and near a shoal area

of the Tennessee River (Wallus et al. 1990). Spawning probably occurs in main channel over

coarse sand and gravel. No species-specific information is available for eggs and yolk-sac

larvae. Post yolk-sac larvae have been collected in main channel drift nets and main channel

border larval seines in the Ohio River (ESE 1992). Juveniles are more often collected in

pelagic open waters than are larvae (Appendix A).

Alewife and skipjack herring were rare in adult fish collections the past two years (EA 1994,

1995). During 1993 and 1994, alewife was collected from only Lockport Pool. Skipjack

herring was collected in all three pools during 1993 and 1994; however, it typically is more

common in lower Dresden Pool and downstream of Dresden Lock and Dam. During this

study, unidentified

Alosa

was a common component of the catch (Table 8), but was collected

only as post yolk-sac larvae (Appendix C). It may have been represented by a few eggs;

additional post yolk-sac larvae are probably represented in the unidentified clupeids. No

juvenile (YOY) skipjack herring or alewife were collected during this study and none were

collected during the 1994 adult fish study (EA 1995). Although unidentified

Alosa

were

50

---

collected in all three pools, it was common in Lockport Pool and rare in Brandon and upper

Dresden Pools (Table 9).

This taxa was first observed in Lockport Pool (week of 20 June) followed by upper Dresden

Pool (week of 26 June) and Brandon Pool (week of 9 July) (Figure 6). Mean water

temperatures at initial occurrence were 25.3, 25.7, and 26.2 C, respectively (Figure 3).

Spawning for this taxa (whether alewife or skipjack herring) occurred when expected (Figure

6).

Alosa

larvae were most abundant in Lockport Pool during the week of 26 June. Although

this taxa is likely represented by both alewife and skipjack herring, the specimens collected in

Brandon and upper Dresden Pools may represent drift from Lockport Pool (Figure 6).

White sucker/Northern hog sucker

We were not able to separate larval white suckers from larval northern hog suckers, but could

differentiate late metalarvae and juveniles of these two species. Thus, the yolk-sac larvae,

mesolarvae, and early metalarvae specimens collected in upper Dresden Pool were called white

sucker/northern hog suckers. However, these same life stages collected from the upper Des

Plaines River in Brandon Pool were characterized as white suckers based on the fact that the

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has not collected

northern hog sucker from the upper Des Plaines River since the late 1970s (Dennison 1994,

personal communication).

Northern hog sucker spawns in riffles or in the downstream ends of pools (Becker 1983).

Eggs are deposited over loose gravel, and are demersal and nonadhesive (Auer 1982).

Northern hog sucker had not been previously collected from the study area in up to 17 years of

CECo-sponsored monitoring (EA 1993a, 1994, 1995). The only previous collections of this

species within the UIW during CECo-sponsored monitoring had been from either lower

Dresden Pool or downstream of Dresden Lock and Dam. In that portion of the waterway, it

has been collected in only five of the past 24 years (EA 1993b, 1994, 1995). During this

study, only five post yolk-sac larvae were positively identified (Table 8 and Appendix C). All

were collected from upper Dresden Pool (Table 9). Four were collected by seining in the

mouth of Jackson Creek (Location 408) on 13 May. The other specimen was collected seining

in Treats Island side channel (Location 405) near the mouth of the Jackson Creek Diversion

Channel on 17 June (Appendix C and Figure 6). These specimens likely drifted into the study

area from Jackson Creek. It appears that northern hog sucker spawned when expected (Figure

6), but spawning probably did not take place directly within the UIW. Additional yolk-sac

and/or post yolk-sac larvae may have been represented within the white sucker/northern hog

sucker and/or unidentified catostominae.

White sucker spawns in tributaries of lakes, streams, backwaters, riffles, and pools over sand

or gravel bottoms (Appendix A). Eggs are broadcast in small lots over a considerable area and

are demersal, adhesive, and nonadhesive after water hardening. Yolk-sac larvae remain in

sand or gravel one to two weeks after hatching. Post yolk-sac larvae school in very shallow

water near shore, sometimes in association with aquatic vegetation.

51

---

FIGURE 6. COMPARISONS OF THE PERIOD OF OCCURRENCE FOR SELECTED NONGUARDING LITHOPHILS.

5 APR

25 APR

1 MAY

8 MAY

15 MAY

22 MAY

30 MAY

6 JUN

13 JUN 20 JUN

26

JUN 9 JUL

24

JUL

7

AUG

22

AUG

IMO0..

..::* ??

''.:.' :**.. .WE MEN

MR

None

??

rtmflo

iiit:

i

ce

• inemori

161,:

$4 t

''''''''''

1

0 die

None

- '

,:-.

•?

'''''

:OAK

toNkt

,.,:,::::*:,

:

_.............mom

MI

Alosa spp.

Expected Spawning Period for:

skipjad< herring

alewife

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

White sucker/N. hog sucker

Expected Spawning Period for:

white sucker (a)

northern hog sucker

Period observed:

?

Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Wt./N. hog sucker

N. hog sucker

Moxostoma spp.

Expected Spawning Period for:

silver redhorse

golden redhorse

shorthead redhorse

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

(a) Expected spawning period for white sucker begins mid-March.

---

Juveniles are found in shallow water over muddy bottoms with little vegetation, usually along

the shoreline; they may form schools.

Adult white suckers were rare within all three pools during adult fish collections the past two

years (EA 1994, 1995). In 1994, YOYs were rare in Lockport and upper Dresden Pools and

common in Brandon Pool. During this study, larval and juvenile white suckers and white

sucker/northern hog suckers were common in Brandon and upper Dresden Pools; none were

collected in Lockport Pool (Table 9). Collectively, white suckers and white sucker/northern

hog suckers were represented by yolk-sac larvae, post yolk-sac larvae, and juveniles; eggs

were probably not collected. Additional yolk-sac and/or post yolk-sac larvae are likely

included within the unidentified catostominae.

Larvae were first observed in upper Dresden Pool (week of 1 May) followed one week later in

Brandon Pool (week of 8 May) (Figure 6). Mean water temperatures at initial occurrence

were 17.5 and 18.0 C, respectively (Figure 3). Spawning for this taxa (whether white sucker

and/or northern hog sucker) appears to have occurred when expected (Figure 6). This taxa

was abundant in both pools during the week of 8 May and a second peak occurred in upper

Dresden Pool during the week of 22 May.

Collectively, white sucker and white sucker/northern hog sucker larvae were collected in all

mesohabitats, except main channel (Table 10). They were rare in backwaters and the mouth of

Jackson Creek. They were most commonly collected in the upper Des Plaines River (41.8

percent), main 'channel border (33.3 percent), and the Brandon tailwater (23.7 percent).

Ninety-seven percent of the main channel border catch occurred at Location 402B in upper

Dresden Pool (Appendix C), approximately one mile downstream of the Brandon tailwater

(Figure 1). These specimens were likely spawned in the Brandon tailwater and settled out of

the drift at this location. Thus, it is possible that nearly all of the specimens collected for this

taxa were spawned in the upper Des Plaines River and the Brandon tailwater, the only two

areas of the UIW (besides possibly some tributaries to upper Dresden Pool) that contain

riffle/run habitats. Larval/juvenile white suckers and white sucker/northern hog suckers were

collected almost exclusively by dipnetting and seining (Appendix C).

Moxostoma

spp.

Silver, golden, and shorthead redhorse typically spawn in riffles with rock, gravel, or boulder

substrates (Appendix A).

In

the upper Mississippi River,

Moxostoma

larvae were usually

associated with vegetation in backwater areas (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990). In the Ohio River,

larval catostominae were common in main channel tow samples, but rarely abundant (ESE

1992).

In

a small Kentucky stream, larval

Moxostoma

were primarily associated with a

vegetated shoreline and along a bedrock outcrop with algal growth; they were common in

seine samples, occasional in light trap samples, but rare in drift net samples; however, no

yolk-sac larvae were collected (Floyd et al. 1984b). Juvenile silver and golden redhorse are

typically found in slow moving water in areas with soft bottoms. Conversely, juvenile

shorthead redhorse are usually found in fast water in streams and rivers.

53

---

During the 1993 and 1994 adult fish studies, all

Moxostoma

except one YOY silver redhorse

were collected in upper Dresden Pool (EA 1994, 1995). This YOY silver redhorse was

collected from Brandon Pool in 1994; no

Moxostoma

were collected in Lockport Pool during

this period. During the ichthyoplankton study, no

Moxostoma

were collected in Lockport

Pool, but it was occasional in Brandon Pool and common in upper Dresden Pool (Table 9).

This taxa was represented by post yolk-sac larvae and juveniles; eggs were not collected.

Additional yolk-sac and/or post yolk-sac larvae are likely represented among the unidentified

catostominae.

Moxostoma

larvae were initially collected in Brandon and upper Dresden Pools during the

week of 8 May (Figure 6). Mean water temperatures at initial occurrence were 18.0 and 20.0

C, respectively (Figure 3). Spawning for this taxa probably occurred when expected (Figure

6). This taxa was most abundant in both pools during the week of 15 May.

Moxostoma

larvae were collected in all mesohabitats, except main channel (Table 10). They

were most commonly collected from the Brandon tailwater (50.3 percent), main channel

border (24.0 percent), and the upper Des Plaines River (18.3 percent). They were rare in the

mouth of Jackson Creek. Ninety-six percent of the main channel border catch occurred at

Location 402B in upper Dresden Pool (Appendix C), approximately one mile downstream of

the Brandon tailwater (Figure 1). These specimens were likely spawned in the Brandon

tailwater and settled out of the drift at this location. Thus, it is possible that most of the

specimens collected for this taxa were spawned in the upper Des Plaines River and the

Brandon tailwater, the only two areas of the UIW (besides possibly some tributaries to upper

Dresden Pool) that contain riffle/run habitats.

Moxostoma

larvae were collected primarily by

dipnetting (Appendix C).

3.3.1.4 Phyto-lithophils

This guild is represented by 13 potential spawning species: red shiner, spotfin shiner, redfin

shiner, ghost shiner, mimic shiner, river carpsucker, smallmouth buffalo, blackstripe

topminnow, brook silverside, white perch, white bass, yellow bass, and yellow perch (Table

8). This guild represents an intermediary group midway between the reproductive modes of

the nonguarding lithophils and the nonguarding phytophils. Selected key features of early

ontogeny for the guild include deposition of adhesive eggs in relatively clearwater habitats on

submerged vegetation or logs, gravel, and rocks. Larvae are photophobic; have cement glands

on the head to attach themselves off the soft bottom and moderately developed respiratory

structures (Balon 1975, 1981). Eight of the 13 species were represented by larval and/or YOY

specimens during this study and/or the 1994 adult fish study (Table 8). Included among these

eight species are river carpsucker, smallmouth buffalo, and white perch. River carpsucker and

smallmouth buffalo were included because they were the two most commonly collected

Ictiobinae during adult fish studies the past two years (EA 1994, 1995) so they are likely

represented among the unidentified

Carpiodes

and/or the unidentified Ictiobinae. Similarly,

unidentified

Carpiodes

and Ictiobinae are provisionally assigned to this guild since river

carpsucker and smallmouth buffalo were the two most commonly collected Ictiobinae during

adult fish studies the past two years. White perch was also among the eight species because

54

---

unidentified larval

Morone

were collected in Lockport Pool (Table 9) and no other adult or

YOY

Morone

spp. have been collected within this pool during adult fish studies the past two

years (EA 1994, 1995). Additionally, larval specimens of red shiner, redfin shiner, ghost

shiner, mimic shiner, and white bass may be represented among higher taxonomic

identifications. Furthermore, eggs may have been collected for all 13 members of this guild,

except yellow perch.

All members of this guild, except for spotfin shiner, river carpsucker, and smallmouth buffalo,

were extremely rare in the study area during adult fish studies the past two years (EA 1994,

1995). Therefore, the following discussion will be limited to these three species.

Spotfm shiner

Spotfm shiner spawns in crevices, undersides of submerged objects, and on exposed tree roots

near riffles and in shallow areas of lakes and large rivers (Appendix A). Eggs are deposited

into crevices or onto the substrate and are demersal and adhesive. No information is available

for the dispersal of the fry. Although spotfin shiner was collected in all three pools during

adult fish studies the past two years, it was rare in Lockport and Brandon Pools and relatively

common in upper Dresden Pool (EA 1994, 1995). During this study, only six juveniles were

positively identified (Table 8 and Appendix C). Five were collected in Brandon Pool from the

upper Des Plaines River and one was collected in upper Dresden Pool from Bear Island slough

(Location 414) (Tables 9 and 10; Appendix C). All were collected by seining. Eggs may

have been collected, and yolk-sac and/or post yolk-sac larvae may have been represented

within the unidentified cyprinids.

Ictiobinae

River carpsucker spawns in the bottoms of rivers and tributaries, and in flooded meadows and

marshes over a variety of substrates (Appendix A). Eggs are scattered and are demersal or

semi-buoyant and adhesive. No species-specific information is available for the dispersal of

yolk-sac and post yolk-sac larvae. Larval Ictiobinae were common in backwater habitats of

the upper Mississippi River and were consistently collected in main channel drift (Holland-

Bartels et al. 1990). They were common and occasionally abundant in Ohio River main

channel ichthyoplankton tow samples (ESE 1992). Juveniles are found in shallows, quiet

pools, and backwaters (Appendix A).

Smallmouth buffalo spawns in shallow areas of quiet pools and backwaters of medium and

large rivers over a variety of substrates (Appendix A). Eggs are scattered, demersal, and

adhesive. Yolk-sac larvae are found in shallow vegetated backwaters, marshes, and pools. No

species-specific information is available for the dispersal of post yolk-sac larvae. Larval

Ictiobinae were common in backwater habitats of the upper Mississippi River and were

consistently collected in main channel drift (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990). They were common

and occasionally abundant in Ohio River main channel ichthyoplankton tow samples (ESE

1992). Juveniles are found in shallow vegetated areas and not in the main channel.

55

---

During adult fish studies the past two years, river carpsucker and smallmouth buffalo were

uncommon to occasional in upper Dresden Pool; none were collected in Lockport or Brandon

Pools (EA 1994, 1995). In addition, one YOY specimen was collected in upper Dresden Pool

during the 1994 adult fish study; no YOYs were collected in Lockport or Brandon Pools (EA

1995). Similarly, during this study larval Ictiobinae (including unidentified

Carpiodes)

were

collected only in upper Dresden Pool where they were uncommon (Tables 8 and 9). This taxa

was represented by yolk-sac larvae and post yolk-sac larvae (Appendix C). Eggs could not be

distinguished from those of many other species and probably occurred in the unidentified

component of the catch. Ictiobinae larvae were initially collected in upper Dresden Pool

during the week of 25 April (Figure 7). Mean water temperatures at initial occurrence were

19.9 C (Figure 3). Spawning for this taxa (whether river carpsucker or smallmouth buffalo)

probably occurred when expected (Figure 7). Seventy-eight percent of the Ictiobinae

(including unidentified

Carpiodes)

were collected in the backwater locations, particularly in

the Du Page River delta (Location 409) (Table 10 and Appendix C). Ictiobinae larvae were

collected primarily by seining (Appendix C).

3.3.1.5 Phytophils

This guild is represented by nine potential spawning species: longnose gar, central

mudminnow, grass pickerel, northern pike, goldfish, carp, golden shiner, bigmouth buffalo,

and black buffalo (Table 8). Selected key features of early ontogeny for this guild include

deposition of adhesive eggs over either live or dead vegetation, flooded plants, and vegetative

debris. The larvae typically are not photophobic, have cement glands on the head to attach

themselves to vegetation off the soft bottom, and have highly developed embryonic respiratory

structures which adapt them for survival in poorly-oxygenated waters (Balon 1975, 1981).

Four of the nine species were represented by larval and/or juvenile specimens during this

study: longnose gar, carp, goldfish, and golden shiner (Table 8). Larval or YOY specimens

were not collected for central mudminnow, grass pickerel, or northern pike during either this

study or the 1994 adult fish study (Table 8). Black buffalo and bigmouth buffalo may have

been represented by unidentified Ictiobinae (see Section 3.3.1.4) during either this study or the

1994 adult fish study. Furthermore, eggs may have been collected for all nine members of

this guild, except longnose gar, grass pickerel, and northern pike.

All members of this guild, except for longnose gar, carp, goldfish, and golden shiner, have

been extremely rare in the study area during adult fish studies the past two years (EA 1994,

1995). Therefore, the following discussion will be limited to longnose gar, carp, goldfish, and

golden shiner.

Longnose gar

Longnose gar typically spawns in quiet backwaters over vegetation (Appendix A). Yolk-sac

larvae tend to remain near the spawning bed in locally dense populations attached to

submerged vegetation or debris. Post yolk-sac and juveniles are habitat generalists. Larval

longnose gar were uncommon in main channel drift collections of the upper Mississippi River

56

---

FIGURE 7. COMPARISONS OF THE PERIOD OF OCCURRENCE FOR SELECTED NONGUARDING PHYTO-LITHOPHILS AND PHYTOPHILS.

5 APR

25 APR

1 MAY

8 MAY

15 MAY

22 MAY

30 MAY

6 JUN 13 JUN

20 JUN

26 JUN

9 JUL

24 JUL

7 AUG

22 AUG

None

None

NEMONt ii:i11:::::::::::iiii

lien

MEM

SMORtii

.

ENO

Wan

flaill

Eggian

g : g: ::

:::::Viiiiii:::1::..

1116i

:::

galli

?

:::61:§i§:::::::::::::WIN

?Nan::kfigi ?

: ?

.

MNgoon

agegil

galamin

. ..::,;:i:iimi

agiiiiIiii

:ii

inINEMINES

NOM&

man

i::i:':i:iiii:0:

MENU

i:;::::::ingig

NEWN:

gegmo

NEON

5111I

IMEN:=MINN

RUNIN IMMO

EOM

BMW

OMB

iiNginingi nal

Iiiigniel::::: Ems

MARV

:::::::::::::::::::::::::;;:

INSEMENN

111111

ininiiii Meg

NEM

lctiobinae

Expected Spawning Period for:

river carpsucker

smallmouth buffalo

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Carp

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

LA Goldfish

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Golden shiner

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

---

(Holland-Bartels et al. 1990). In the lower Ohio River, larval

Lepisosteus

spp. were common

in main channel drift samples (ESE 1992).

During adult fish studies the past two years, longnose gar were rare or uncommon in upper

Dresden Pool; none were collected in Lockport and Brandon Pools (EA 1994, 1995). During

this study, only two post yolk-sac larvae were collected, both in upper Dresden Pool (Tables 8

and 9; Appendix C). One specimen was collected by dipnetting in the Brandon tailwater

during the week of 30 May and the other specimen was collected by light trapping in

backwater Location 405 (Treats Island side channel) during the week of 6 June (Table 10 and

Appendix C).

Carp

Carp spawns in sheltered, vegetated areas of streams, or over logs, rocks, and other

submerged objects (Appendix A). Eggs are deposited in clusters in small' areas and are

extremely adhesive and demersal. Yolk-sac larvae are initially found near the bottom attached

to vegetation or parts of the substrate. Post yolk-sac larvae and juveniles are typically found

among vegetation but have been collected from a wide variety of habitats. In the upper

Mississippi River, larval carp are most abundant in backwaters but they also occur in the main

channel drift (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990).

Carp was the third most abundant species collected within the study area during adult fish

collections the past two years and was abundant in all three pools (EA 1994, 1995). Similarly,

during this study, it was also the third most abundant taxa collected and was abundant in all

three pools (Tables 8 and 9). Carp were collected as eggs, yolk-sac larvae, post yolk-sac

larvae, and juveniles (Appendix C). Additional yolk-sac and post yolk-sac larvae are likely

represented within the carp/goldfish taxon that could not be identified to the species level due

to damage.

Carp larvae were first observed in Lockport and upper Dresden Pools (week of 25 April)

followed one week later (week of 1 May) in Brandon Pool (Figure 7). Mean water

temperatures at initial occurrence were 183, 19.9, and 14.9 C, respectively (Figure 3).

However, the temperature in Brandon Pool during the week prior to initial collection was 22.0

C (Figure 3). In all three pools, spawning occurred when expected (Figure 7). Carp were

most abundant in Lockport and upper Dresden Pools during the week of 22 May, whereas the

peak in Lockport Pool occurred two weeks later (week of 6 June).

Carp were collected in all mesohabitats (Table 10). They were most abundant in main channel

border (47.9 percent) and least abundant (4.5 percent) in the Brandon tailwater. Carp were

collected primarily (56 percent) by light trapping, particularly within the vegetative light traps

(Appendix C).

58

---

Goldfish

Goldfish spawns in areas with debris and vegetation over predominantly mud bottoms

(Appendix A). Eggs are demersal and adhesive until water hardened, enabling them to drift in

river currents. Yolk-sac larvae attach to plants or remain on the bottom and their swimming

movements are limited. Post yolk-sac larvae are free swimming after one to two days.

Juveniles are presumed to use the same habitat as adults (i.e., shallow water with dense

vegetation [Becker 1983]).

Although goldfish was collected in all three pools during adult fish studies the past two years,

it was common in Lockport Pool but rare to uncommon in Brandon and upper Dresden Pools

(EA 1994, 1995). During this study, it was occasional in Lockport Pool and rare to

uncommon in Brandon and upper Dresden Pools (Table 9). It was collected as yolk-sac

larvae, post yolk-sac larvae, and juveniles (Appendix C). Eggs were likely collected,

particularly in Lockport Pool where adults are common. Additional yolk-sac and post yolk-sac

larvae are likely represented within the carp/goldfish; these specimens could not be identified

to the species level due to damage.

Goldfish larvae were first observed in Lockport and upper Dresden Pools (week of 15 May)

followed one week later (week of 22 May) in Brandon Pool (Figure 7). Mean water

temperatures at initial occurrence were 18.4 C in Lockport Pool and 22.8 C in upper Dresden

Pool (Figure 3). No temperature is available for Brandon Pool during the week of 22 May as

the data were lost in the field. In all three pools, spawning occurred when expected (Figure

7). Goldfish were most abundant in Lockport Pool during the week of 6 June.

It was collected in all mesohabitats except for the upper Des Plaines River and the Brandon

tailwater (Table 10). They were most commonly encountered in the main channel border

(46.9 percent) and backwater mesohabitats (30.9 percent). They were collected primarily by

pumping, mid-channel tows, and vegetative light traps (Appendix C).

Golden shiner

Golden shiner spawns in bays and quiet water over submerged vegetation or debris and in nests

of largemouth bass (Appendix A). Eggs are broadcast and are demersal and adhesive. Yolk-

sac larvae are found in surface layers of shallow water. Post yolk-sac larvae exhibit schooling

behavior and inhabit shallow waters. Juveniles are found among aquatic vegetation over

various substrates. Larval golden shiners are occasionally collected in the upper Mississippi

River in ichthyoplankton drift samples (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990).

Golden shiner was rare to uncommon in each of the three pools during adult fish studies the

past two years (EA 1994, 1995). During this study, it was also rare to uncommon in each of

the three pools (Table 9). It was collected as post yolk-sac larvae and juveniles (Appendix C).

Eggs could not be distinguished for those of many other species and probably occurred in the

unidentified component of the catch.

59

---

Golden shiner larvae were first observed in upper Dresden Pool (week of 22 May) followed

four weeks later (week of 13 June) in Lockport Pool (Figure 7). Mean water temperatures at

initial occurrence were 23.7 and 23.3 C, respectively (Figure 3). In all three pools, spawning

occurred when expected (Figure 7). Golden shiners were collected in all mesohabitats,

primarily by seining (Table 10 and Appendix C).

3.3.1.6

Psammophils

This guild is represented by four potential spawning species: spottail shiner, sand shiner,

quillback, and logperch (Table 8). Selected key features of early ontogeny for the guild

include deposition of eggs directly on the sand or near roots overhanging a sandy bottom.

They hatch on the surface of the sand and are adapted to swift water. Eggs have adhesive

membranes and are frequently small. Larvae are phototropic. Pectoral fins develop early and

when spread hold the larvae to the substrate (Balon 1975, 1981). Three of the four species

(spottail shiner, sand shiner, and logperch) were represented by larval and/or juvenile

specimens during this study (Table 8). Quillback may have also been collected since it may

have been represented by unidentified

Carpiodes

and/or Ictiobinae. However, it was

conservatively not counted since we included the unidentified

Carpiodes

and Ictiobinae in the

phyto-lithophil guild (see Section 3.3.1.4) because river carpsucker and smallmouth buffalo

are the more commonly collected Ictiobinae within the UIW (EA 1994, 1995). Eggs may

have been collected for all four members of this guild. Logperch were extremely rare during

this study and during the adult fish studies the past two years; therefore, it is excluded from

further discussion.

Spottail shiner

Spottail shiner spawns in shallow nearshore areas with sandy shoals, in beds of

Cladophera,

and in mouths and riffles of small tributaries (Appendix A). It avoids strong currents, silt

bottoms, and turbid water. Eggs are scattered over clean sand or gravel, and are demersal and

adhesive until water hardened. Eggs can be common in drift samples. No information is

available for the dispersal of yolk-sac and post yolk-sac larvae (Appendix A). Juveniles

frequently school in shallow water with abundant vegetation.

Adult spottail shiners were rare in Lockport and Brandon Pools but common in upper Dresden

Pool during adult fish collections the past two years (EA 1994, 1995). During the 1994 adult

fish study, YOYs were rare in Lockport Pool, not collected in Brandon Pool, and occasional in

upper Dresden Pool (EA 1995). During this study, larval/juveniles were uncommon in

Lockport Pool, not collected in Brandon Pool, and very common in upper Dresden Pool

(Table 9); similar to the spatial pattern observed for YOYs and adults. Spottail shiner was

represented by yolk-sac larvae, post yolk sac larvae, and juveniles (Appendix C). Eggs may

have been collected and additional yolk-sac larvae may be represented by unidentified

cyprinids.

Spottail shiner larvae were first observed in upper Dresden Pool (week of 25 April) followed

seven weeks later (week of 13 June) in Lockport Pool (Figure 8). Mean water temperatures at

60

---

FIGURE 8. COMPARISONS OF THE PERIOD OF OCCURRENCE FOR SELECTED NONGUARDING PSAMMOPHILS.

5 APR

25 APR

1

MAY

8 MAY

15

MAY

22

MAY

30

MAY

6 JUN

13 JUN

20 JUN

26 JUN

9 JUL

24 JUL

7 AUG

22 AUG

tallinfinglnk:

NEE

NESSIDM

None

MBE

NMMENISSINIK,

,........MONSMSAKINEESS

iiiiiMEMBERESIONIUMagasta

None

None

-::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Nam

Spottail shiner

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Sand shiner

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed:

?

Lockport Pool

C7N

?

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

---

initial occurrence were 19.9 and 23.3 C, respectively (Figure 3). Spawning in upper Dresden

Pool was probably slightly earlier than expected, whereas spawning in Lockport Pool was

probably slightly later than expected. Spottail shiners were most abundant in upper Dresden

Pool during the week of 22 May. Peak numbers occurred well within the expected spawning

period (Figure 8).

Spottail shiners were collected in all mesohabitats except for the upper Des Plaines River

(Table 10). They were most commonly encountered in the mouth of Jackson Creek (44.4

percent), followed by backwaters (26.1 percent) and main channel border (21.4 percent).

Eighty-two percent of the main channel border catch occurred at Location 402B in upper

Dresden Pool (Appendix C), approximately one mile downstream of the Brandon tailwater

(Figure 1). These specimens may have spawned in the Brandon tailwater and settled out of the

drift at this location. Spottail shiners were collected primarily by seining and nonvegetative

light traps (Appendix C).

Sand shiner

Sand shiner spawns in shallow areas of lakes and large rivers, often in sparse vegetation, or at

creek mouths over clean sand or gravel (Appendix A). Eggs are scattered over the bottom,

and are demersal and adhesive. Yolk-sac larvae are found along the shoreline and in the

mouths of tributaries. Larval sand shiners are collected in main channel drift and main

channel border seine samples in the Ohio River (ESE 1992). No information is available for

the dispersal of juveniles (Appendix A).

Adult sand shiners were rare in Lockport and Brandon Pools and uncommon in upper Dresden

Pool during adult fish collections the past two years (EA 1994, 1995). During this study,

juveniles were not collected in Lockport and Brandon Pools and were uncommon in upper

Dresden Pool (Table 9). Only juvenile sand shiners could be positively identified to the

species level; therefore, it is likely that yolk-sac larvae and post yolk sac larvae were

represented among the unidentified cyprinids in upper Dresden Pool. Eggs could not be

distinguished from those of many other species and probably occurred in the unidentified

component of the catch. Since only juveniles could be positively identified, no discussion'

regarding initial occurrence is possible. In upper Dresden Pool, juvenile sand shiners were

most abundant during the week of 13 June (Figure 8). Eighty-eight percent of all juvenile

sand shiners were collected at main channel border Location 402B (Appendix C),

approximately one mile downstream of the Brandon tailwater (Figure 1). These specimens

may have spawned in the Brandon tailwater and settled out of the drift at this location.

Juvenile sand shiners were collected primarily by seining (Appendix C).

Quillback

Quillback spawns in quiet waters of streams, in overflow areas, lower ends of deep riffles, and

in large rivers over sand, mud, gravel, or organic matter (Appendix A). Eggs are randomly

deposited and are semi-demersal or demersal and adhesive. Eggs are carried easily by the

current. Ictiobinae larvae were common and occasionally abundant in Ohio River main

62

---

channel ichthyoplankton tow samples (ESE 1992). They were also common in backwater

habitats of the upper Mississippi River and were consistently collected in the main channel

drift (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990). Juveniles are found in broad, shallow flats with silt

substrates (Appendix A). During adult fish studies the past two years, quillback were

uncommon in upper Dresden Pool; none were collected in Lockport and Brandon Pools (EA

1994, 1995). Quillback may have been represented by unidentified

Carpiodes

and/or

Ictiobinae. These two taxa were discussed in the phyto-lithophil guild (see Section 3.3.1.4)

because river carpsucker and smallmouth buffalo are the more commonly collected Ictiobinae

within the UIW (EA 1994, 1995).

3.3.2 Guarders: Nest Spawners

Members of the guarder guilds remain near their spawn and are able to offer protection against

predators and provide artificial aeration by cleaning and fanning the eggs. With this strategy,

fishes are able to reproduce in situations where fine sediments and low oxygen concentrations

would otherwise be prohibitive. The nest spawners construct a cleaned depression on the

substrate or clean a naturally-occurring cavity or crevice, where the eggs are deposited.

3.3.2.1 Lithophils

This guild is represented by eight potential spawning species: central stoneroller, black

bullhead, rock bass, green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, bluegill, longear sunfish, and

smallmouth bass (Table 8). Selected key features of early ontogeny for this guild include

deposition of eggs in a single-layer or multi-layer clutches on cleaned areas of rocks or in pits

in gravel. The larvae of most fishes in this guild hide in the gravel at the bottom, are

photophobic, may have cement glands, and their embryonic respiratory organs are moderately-

to well-developed (Balon 1975, 1981). Many of the species in the guild

,

prefer to spawn in

relatively still backwaters which are virtually absent in Lockport and Brandon Pools, but

common in upper Dresden Pool.

Six of

the eight species were represented by larval and/or juvenile specimens during this study

(Table 8). These six species include orangespotted sunfish even though it was not identified

(to a species level) as being collected (Table 8). It was included among the six species because

it was occasional to common in upper Dresden Pool during adult fish studies the past two

years (EA 1994, 1995), and therefore it is likely represented among the unidentified

Lepomis.

Conversely, because longear sunfish was extremely rare during adult fish studies the past two

years (EA 1994, 1995), it was conservatively not counted even though it may also be

represented among the unidentified

Lepomis.

Larval or YOY specimens were not collected for

black bullhead during either this study or the 1994 adult fish study (Table 8). Eggs may have

been collected for all eight members of this guild.

All members of this guild, except for green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, and bluegill, were

extremely rare in the study area during adult fish studies the past two years (EA 1994, 1995).

Therefore, the following discussion will be limited to green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish,

and bluegill.

63

---

Green sunfish

Green sunfish build nests in shallow waters of lakes, sloughs, and ponds (Appendix A). These

nests are constructed in the shelter of logs, rocks, or vegetation on a variety of substrates

including sand, mud, and roots. Eggs are laid in a mass and are demersal and adhesive.

Yolk-sac larvae are free-swimming two days after hatching. Larval

Lepomis

were abundant in

backwaters and occurred regularly in drift samples in the upper Mississippi River (Holland-

Bartels et al. 1990). Larval

Lepomis

were also common in drift samples from the Ohio River

(ESE 1992). Juveniles are found in low velocity areas and pool areas of streams (Appendix

A).

Green sunfish was among the 10 most abundant species collected during adult fish studies the

past two years and was collected from all three pools (EA 1994, 1995). Although it was

collected in all three pools during this period, it was uncommon in Lockport Pool, occasional

to common in Brandon Pool, and common in upper Dresden Pool. During this study and the

1994 adult fish study, only one and two YOY green sunfish were identified to the species

level, respectively; however, additional larval and/or juvenile specimens were likely

represented among the unidentified

Lepomis

during both of these studies (Table 8; EA 1995).

Orangespotted sunfish

Orangespotted sunfish spawns in shallow areas of lakes and impoundments over fine gravel,

sand, silt, and mud (Appendix A). Eggs are demersal and adhesive. No species-specific

information is available for the dispersal of the fry (Appendix A). Larval

.

Lepomis

were

abundant in backwaters and occurred regularly in drift samples in the upper Mississippi River

(Holland-Bartels et al. 1990). T2rval

Lepomis

were also common in drift samples from the

Ohio River (ESE

1992). Juveniles are found in low velocity areas and pool areas of streams

(Appendix A).

During adult fish studies the past two years, orangespotted sunfish was occasional to common

in upper Dresden Pool; none were collected in Lockport and Brandon Pools (EA 1994, 1995).

Although no larval or YOY specimens were identified as this species during either this study

or the 1994 adult fish study, it was likely represented among the unidentified

Lepomis

particularly in upper Dresden Pool where adults were fairly common (Table 8; EA 1995).

Bluegill

Bluegill build nests in shallows of lentic habitats near shore, typically in sand or gravel where

vegetation is not abundant (Appendix A). Eggs are demersal and adhesive. Yolk-sac larvae

hatch in the nest and are free-swimming three days after hatching. They are closely associated

with the bottom of the nest until after yolk absorption. Post yolk-sac larvae are found in

littoral vegetation, limnetic zones, and nearshore areas. Larval

Lepomis

were abundant in

backwaters and occurred regularly in drift samples in the upper Mississippi River (Holland-

Bartels et al. 1990). Larval

Lepomis

were also common in drift samples from the Ohio River

64

---

(ESE 1992). Juveniles are associated with submergent vegetation in backwaters and nearshore

areas (Appendix A).

During adult fish studies the past two years, bluegill was uncommon in Lockport Pool, rare in

Brandon Pool, and occasional in upper Dresden Pool (EA 1994, 1995). Identifiable YOY

specimens were rare but were collected in all three pools during both this study and the 1994

adult fish study (Table 8; EA 1995). Additional larval or juvenile specimens were likely

represented among the unidentified

Lepomis,

particularly in upper Dresden Pool where adults

were fairly common.

Lepomis

spp.

The unidentified

Lepomis

groups (excluding

Lepomis

B) were provisionally assigned to this

guild because green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, and bluegill are the three most commonly

collected

Lepomis

spp. in the study area. Unidentified

Lepomis

(including the "lettered"

specimens except for

Lepomis

B) was the most abundant taxon collected during this study,

composing 25.9 percent of the catch (Table 9). Although

Lepomis

larvae/juveniles were

collected from all three pools, they were markedly more abundant in upper Dresden Pool (99

percent of the total

Lepomis

catch) than in Lockport and Brandon Pools (Table 9). Similarly,

during the 1994 adult fish study, 97 percent of all YOY

Lepomis

spp. collected from the study

area occurred in upper Dresden Pool (EA 1995). The disparity in the

Lepomis

catches among

the three pools is likely attributable to habitat since quiet backwaters, the preferred

spawning/nursery habitat for

Lepomis,

are prevalent in upper Dresden Pool, but virtually

absent in Lockport and Brandon Pools.

Lepomis

were represented by yolk-sac larvae, post

yolk-sac larvae, and juveniles (Appendix C), and were probably represented by eggs.

Lepomis

larvae were initially collected in upper Dresden Pool during the week of 22 May

followed three weeks later (week of 13 June) in Lockport Pool (Figure 9). Mean water

temperatures at initial occurrence were 23.7 and 23.3 C, respectively (Figure 3). Spawning

for this taxa (whether green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, and/or bluegill) occurred when.

expected (Figure 9). This taxa was most abundant in upper Dresden Pool during the weeks of

22 May and 30 May, whereas the peak in Lockport Pool occurred three weeks later (week of •

20 June). Seventy-eight percent (4,356/5,611) of all

Lepomis

larvae collected from upper

Dresden Pool occurred during this two-week period (Appendix C).

Lepomis

spp. were collected in all mesohabitats (Table 10). However, 93 percent

(5,258/5,661) of the total

Lepomis

catch was collected within the mouth of Jackson Creek in

upper Dresden Pool (Table 10). This taxa was rare or uncommon in all other mesohabitats

except for backwaters where it was common. It is uncertain why there was such a large

concentration of

Lepomis

larvae in the mouth of Jackson Creek, particularly compared to other

backwater locations in upper Dresden Pool. The mouth of Jackson Creek is functionally a

quiet, backwater area. Compared to other backwaters in upper Dresden Pool, this location is

smaller and deeper, better protected from wind and wave action, and contains more

boulder/slab and "clean" gravel substrates, particularly in deep, nearshore areas. These

physical characteristics may make this location a preferred spawning/nursery area for

Lepomis.

65

---

FIGURE 9. COMPARISONS OF THE PERIOD OF OCCURRENCE FOR SELECTED GUARDING NEST SPAWNERS.

5 APR

25 APR

1 MAY

8 MAY

15 MAY

22 MAY

30 MAY

6 JUN 13 JUN

20 JUN

26 JUN

9 JUL

24 JUL

7 AUG

22 AUG

EMI1233'-

&m

g

kinFawn

wi-,-•:::::::::::::::

IIIIIIMICESP:Z02:2

fPx;,...1

----:..,.,:,4.;-MliPwav:

atom sug:;'::::,::*:

:::4::::,,,:l:

swot'

111111111

None

11111111

None

:::111::::1::

::::::::1111:1:

figtO

gfft::!..L

gggiiiiili:

IRMIN

:::i.::1.::.:::::

1::41:0.:::::::::::::

:

SENfil

??

..

::g::::::

::61110

:::::: ;

MEM

i:::W.e'Iii

::::iiii.!,":::::i:n

Iitggli

H'::::::fit:'.1:.:::::?:::.*•1'"lNii

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:

:4;.: 151:

IBM:

'."..::.:.:::tOti-:':.

i::::C.1A.4?-:.:.;

niii

None

•

iii:,

::-:-4:'.

::::!,;:..16gi

:::::::::::RA

::::::::iigir):$

::::::::::::::::::::::

?

,

::::::::1?

A.....:.

:

•i:i?

.?

.

..::::::(--::::Ai:::

,...... ?

..

-;?

•

ilr,415 ::..

M.4....1Pg:

tAZA:SzAgr:

E

•?

•?"...• '.:

i...al:*..it.S:

::::0065.1::::

!::::1R-..g16

.:::*:::::::::::::::::::::::::

PAR.I.:::::::::

NINON

...,:::::*.::::,:-

":-......

?

.

ilf:

::?

--:-,::::::-:-.,:::::::::::::::::::,:::..:.::::::-:::*:m.:...::-::.:..:.::::::

!gr.t.zt:i'j:g

:::::::::::::.t,K:sx:::::0.:-..::::::::,-,

:::,:..*

::::...:::::•,:

.:::5".':::,.,:::

.?

.?

.

V!45:iiiii2:111

::::::M:::::::::::.:::

.

::::::;x::::::::::::*:::::

?

.1::fx,:•.•::

.?

.?..?

.?

.

None

le,..O.F-1:.:0?:

:::0.:.;?

:.•-•:.

:0,%::.....e...:::..

Lepomis spp.

Expected Spawning Period for:

green sunfish

orangespotted sunfish

bluegill

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Largemouth bass

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Bluntnose minnow

ON

Expected Spawning Period

?

C

h

Period observed:

?

Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden P1.

Fathead minnow

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

Plmephales spp.

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden P1.

Channel catfish

Expected Spawning Period

Period observed: Lockport Pool

Brandon Pool

Up. Dresden Pl.

---

3.3.2.2 Phytophils

Members

of

this guild are adapted to nesting above or on a soft muddy bottom. Some

members attach their eggs to vegetation and have larvae with cement glands that attach to the

vegetation. Embryonic respiratory organs are well developed and are assisted by fanning

actions of the parents (Balon 1975, 1981). This guild is represented by three potential

spawning species: largemouth bass, black crappie, and banded darter (provisionally assigned to

this guild) (Table 8). Largemouth bass and black crappie prefer to spawn in relatively still

backwaters which are virtually absent in Lockport and Brandon Pools, but common in upper

Dresden Pool. These two species were represented by larval and/or juvenile specimens during

this study (Table 8), and all of which were collected in upper Dresden Pool (Table 9). Banded

darter may have been represented by unidentified

Etheostoma;

however, since it has not been

collected within the study area in up to 17 years of CECo-sponsored adult fish monitoring (EA

1993b, 1994, 1995), its collection during this study is unlikely. Black crappie was extremely

rare in adult fish collections the past two years and was also extremely rare during this study.

Since banded darter has not been previously collected from the study area and black crappie

was extremely rare during both this study and the adult fish studies, they will not be discussed

further.

Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass build nests in shallow sheltered areas usually with aquatic vegetation, in

substrates of gravel, sand, or soft mud (Appendix A). The importance of sheltered areas for

successful spawning of this species is demonstrated by the fact that wave action generated by

storms has been shown to cause nesting failure in largemouth bass populations (Kramer and

Smith 1962; Summerfelt 1975). Thus, this species may not nest successfully in shallow areas

that are constantly disturbed by tow boat wakes (e.g., artificial embayments in Lockport Pool).

Eggs are laid in a mass either in or near the nest and are demersal and adhesive. Yolk-sac

larvae remain in the bottom of the nest until yolk is absorbed. In the upper Mississippi River,

larvae and juveniles are specifically associated with dense submerged vegetation (Holland-

Bartels et al. 1990). In the Ohio River, larval

Micropterus are

sporadically encountered and

seldom abundant in main channel tow and main channel border seine samples (ESE 1992). In

a small Kentucky stream, larval

Micropterus

were primarily associated with a vegetated

shoreline and were abundant in light trap samples, common in seine samples, and rare in drift

net samples; however, no yolk-sac larvae were collected (Floyd et al. 1984b). This indicates

that yolk-sac larvae are probably difficult to collect. Post yolk-sac larvae and juveniles exhibit

schooling behavior and appear to remain near the nesting area (Appendix A).

During the 1994 adult fish study, adult and YOY largemouth bass were uncommon to

occasional in Lockport and upper Dresden Pools, but rare in Brandon Pool (EA 1995).

However, during this study, only six larvae (including unidentified

Micropterus)

and six

juveniles were collected, all from upper Dresden Pool (Table 9 and Appendix C). It is unclear

why so few larval largemouth bass were collected during this study since adults and YOYs

were fairly common in portions of the study area during the adult fish studies. It is possible

that they are difficult to collect with conventional sampling equipment. As presented above,

67

---

Channel catfish

Channel catfish spawns in secluded and darkened areas near shore (Appendix A). A nest is

built under rock ledges, undercut banks, under rocks, in logs, in manmade containers, or on a

mud substrate. Eggs are deposited in a gelatinous mass and are demersal and adhesive. Yolk-

sac larvae are guarded by the male in the nest for two to five days after hatching. In the upper

Mississippi River, yolk-sac larvae were rarely collected in main channel drift samples;

however, alevins were abundant in main channel trawl catches and were most commonly

collected at night (Holland-Bartels et al. 1990). In the Ohio River, larval channel catfish were

commonly encountered in main channel tow samples, but were rarely abundant (ESE 1992).

Alevins seek quiet, shallow water over sandbars, drift piles, and among rocks. They exhibit a

strong schooling tendency at four to ten months (Appendix A). In a small Kentucky stream,

channel catfish alevins were collected almost exclusively by drift nets; none were collected in

light trap samples and they were extremely rare in seine samples; no yolk-sac larvae were

collected (Floyd et al. 1984b). During 24-hour drift sampling on the Illinois River in

Arkansas, all channel catfish alevins were collected at night (Armstrong and Brown 1983).

During the adult fish studies the past two years, adult channel catfish were rare in Lockport

Pool,

rare

to

uncommon in Brandon Pool, and occasional to common in upper Dresden Pool

(EA 1994, 1995). During this study, only 11 specimens were collected; four yolk-sac larvae

and seven alevins (Table 8 and Appendix C). Ten of the specimens were collected from lower

Dresden

Pool

and the other specimen was collected from the upper Des Plaines River in

Brandon Pool (Tables 9 and 10). Although it is not certain why so few larvae and alevins

were collected during this study since adults were fairly common in portions of the study area

during the adult fish studies, it is possible that they are difficult to collect with conventional

sampling gear. As presented above, several studies have shown that channel catfish alevins

can be common in main channel tow and drift net samples, particularly at night; however,

yolk-sac larvae are rarely collected. During this study, ten of the eleven channel catfish were

taken in main channel tow and stationary net samples that were collected either during the day

or

near dusk (Appendix C). Since we could not tow at night due to safety considerations, we

may have missed the bulk of the drifting channel catfish. Furthermore, main channel towing

and stationary net sampling was conducted at only six locations, which may have not been

adequate

to

sufficiently sample for this species. In addition, the schooling behavior exhibited

by larvae and alevins would make them "patchy" in their distribution and difficult to collect.

Moreover, since channel catfish alevins hide in drift piles and among rocks (Appendix A),

they would have been difficult to collect utilizing the ichthyoplankton gears. Alternatively, it

is also possible that channel catfish are either not reproducing successfully within the study

area

or

that the larvae are not successfully developing. For example, only one

YOY

channel

catfish was collected within upper Dresden Pool during the 1994 adult fish study and none

were collected in Lockport and Brandon Pools (EA 1995).

Channel catfish yolk-sac larvae were initially collected in upper Dresden Pool during the week

of 20 June (Figure 9). The mean water temperature at initial occurrence was 24.0 C (Figure

3). Spawning for this species occurred when expected (Figure 9).

72

---

4. REFERENCES

Armstrong, M.L. and A.V. Brown. 1983. Diel drift and feeding of channel catfish alevins in

the Illinois River, Arkansas. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 112:302-307.

Auer, N.A. (editor). 1982. Identification of larval fishes of the Great Lakes basin with

emphasis on the Lake Michigan drainage. Great Lakes Fish. Comm. Spec. Publ. 82-3,

Ann Arbor, Michigan. 744 pp.

Balon, E.K. 1975. Reproductive guilds of fishes: a proposal and definition. J. Fish. Res. Bd.

Can. 32:821-864.

Balon, E.K. 1981. Additions and amendments to the classifications of reproductive styles in

fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 6:377-389.

Becker, G.C. 1976. Inland fishes of the Lake Michigan drainage basin. Argonne Natl. Lab.

ANL/ES-40. Vol. 17. 237 pp.

Becker, G.C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, WI.

1,052 pp.

Bosley, T.R. and J.V. Conner. 1984. Geographic and temporal variation in numbers of

myomeres in fish larvae from the lower Mississippi River. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc.

113:238-242.

Burr, B.M. and L.M. Page. 1986. Zoogeography of fishes of the lower Ohio-upper Mississippi

basin. Offprints from the Zoogeography of North American Freshwater Fishes. C.H.

Hocutt and E.O. Wiley eds.

Conner, J.V. 1978. Identification of larval sunfishes (Centrarchidae, Elassomatidae) from

southeastern Louisiana, pp. 17-52. In: Hoyt, R.D. (ed.), Proc. of the third symposium

on larval fishes. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

EA Science and Technology. 1988. Dresden Station Aquatic Monitoring 1987. Report by

EA to Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago, Ill. 190 pp. plus Appendices.

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology. 1993a. Lower Des Plaines River aquatic

monitoring final report 1992. Report by EA to Commonwealth Edison Company,

Chicago, IL.

. 1993b. Dresden aquatic monitoring final report 1992. Report by EA to

Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago, IL.

. 1993c. Mesohabitat survey of the Upper Illinois Waterway RM 270.0 to

324.3. Report by EA to Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago, IL.

73

---

. 1994. The Upper Illinois Waterway study: Interim Report: 1993 fisheries

investigation RM 270.2-323.2. Report by EA to Commonwealth Edison Company,

Chicago, IL.

. 1995. The Upper Illinois Waterway study: Interim Report: 1994 fisheries

investigation RM 270.2-323.2. Report by EA to Commonwealth Edison Company,

Chicago, IL.

Environmental Science & Engineering, Inc. (ESE). 1992. Ohio Ecological Research Program.

Analysis of long-term larval fish data. Final Report. St. Louis, Missouri. 272 pp.

Floyd K.B., W.H. Courtney, and R.D. Hoyt. 1984a. A new larval fish light trap: the

quatrefoil trap. Progressive Fish-Culturist 46:216-219.

Floyd, K.B., R.D.

Hoyt, and S. Timbrook. 1984b. Chronology of appearance and habitat

partitioning by stream larval fishes. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 113:217-223.

Fuiman, L.A., J.V. Conner, B.F. Lathrop, G.L. Buynak, D.E. Snyder and J.J. Loss. 1983.

State of the art of identification for cyprinid fish larvae from eastern North America.

Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 112: 319-332.

Gallagher, R.P. and J.V. Conner. 1983. Comparison of two ichthyoplankton sampling gears

with notes on microdistribution of fish larvae in a large river. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc.

112:280-285.

Holland-Bartels, L.E., S.K. Littlejohn, and M.L. Huston. 1990. A guide to larval fishes of

the upper Mississippi River. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Natl. Fish Res. Ctr. LaCrosse,

Wisconsin. 107 pp.

Hoyt, R.D. 1988. A bibliography of the early life history of fishes; Volume I: List of Titles

and Volume II: Index. Dept. of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green,

Kentucky.

Kramer, R.H. and L.L. Smith. 1962. Formation of year classes in largemouth bass. Trans.

Amer. Fish. Soc. 91(1):29-41.

Kwak, T.J. 1991. Ecological characteristics of a northern population of the pallid shiner.

Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 120:106-115.

Lathrop, B.F. 1982. Keys to the larval and juvenile fishes from the lower Susquehanna River

near Middletown, Pennsylvania. Ichthyological Associates, Inc., Etters, Pennsylvania.

Lawler, Matusky & Skelly Engineers (LMS). 1993a. Spring spawning survey in the upper

Illinois waterway. Report by LMS to Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago, IL.

40 pp. plus Appendices.

74

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. 1993b. Winter fisheries studies in the upper Illinois waterway. Report by

LMS to Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago, IL. 97 pp. plus Appendices.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. 1989. Addendum to Biological criteria for the

protection of Aquatic Life: Vol. II. Users Manual for Biological Field assessment of

Ohio Surface Waters. Ohio Env. Prot. Agency. Columbus, Ohio.

Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of darters. TFH Publications, Inc. Ltd. Neptune City, New

Jersey. 271 pp.

Pearson, W.D. and L.A. Krumholz. 1984. Distribution and status of Ohio River fishes. Oak

Ridge Nat. Lab.. Pub. No. ORNL/Sub/79-7831/1. 401 pp.

Rasmussen, J.L. ed. 1979. A compendium of fishery information on the Upper Mississippi

River. A contribution of the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, 2nd

edition.

SAS Institute, Inc. 1988a. SAS Language Guide for Personal Computers. Release 6.03 SAS

Institute, Cary, North Carolina.

. 1988b. SAS Procedure Guide. Release 6.03. SAS Institute, Cary, North

Carolina.

Secor, D.H., J.M. Dean, and J. Hansbarger. 1992. Modification of the quatrefoil light trap

for use in hatchery ponds. Progressive Fish-Culturist 54:202-205.

Seegert, G. 1991. A Survey of the Greater Redhorse in the Vermillion River. Prepared for

the Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, IL. 5 pp.

Smith, P. 1979. The Fishes of Illinois. Univ. of Illinois Press, Urbana, Illinois.

Summerfelt, R.C. 1975. Relationship between weather and year-class strength of largemouth

bass, pp. 167-171. In: H. Clepper (ed.), Black Bass Biology and Management. Sport

Fishery Institute, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1973. Charts of the Illinois Waterway. U.S. Lake Survey-

Illinois Waterway 481-8002-0802-2740. Chicago, IL.

Wallus,

R., B.L.

Yeager, and T.P. Simon. 1990. Reproductive biology and early life history

of fishes in the Ohio River drainage, Volume 1: Acipenseridae through Esocidae.

Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, Tennessee. 273 pp.

75

---

APPENDIX A

LIFE HISTORY REVIEW

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NONGUARDERS

Open Substrate Spawners

Pelagophils

Emerald shiner

?

A-1

Freshwater drum

?

A-2

Litho-pelagophils

Gizzard shad ?

A-3

Goldeye ?

A-5

Walleye ?

A-6

Lithophils

Skipjack herring

?

A-7

Bigmouth shiner ?

A-8

Suckermouth minnow

?

A-9

Highfin carpsucker

?

A-10

White sucker

?

A-11

Silver redhorse ?

A-12

River redhorse ?

A-13

Golden redhorse ?

A-14

Shorthead redhorse

?

A-15

Greater redhorse

?

A-16

Trout-perch ?

A-17

Phyto-lithophils

Red shiner ?

A-18

Spotfin shiner ?

A-19

Redfin shiner ?

A-20

Ghost shiner ?

A-21

Mimic shiner

?

A-22

River carpsucker ?

A-23

Smallmouth buffalo

?

A-24

Blackstripe topminnow ?

A-25

Brook

silverside ?

A-26

White perch ?

A-27

White bass ?

A-28

Yellow bass ?

A-29

Yellow perch ?

A-30

Phytophils

Longnose gar ?

A-31

Central mudminnow ?

A-32

Grass pickerel ?

A-33

Northern pike ?

A-34

Goldfish ?

A-35

Carp ?

A-36

Golden shiner ?

A-37

Bigmouth buffalo ?

A-38

Black buffalo ?

A-39

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)

NONGUARDERS (cont.)

Open Substrate Spawners (cont.)

Psammophils

Silverjaw minnow

?

A-40

Spottail shiner

?

A-41

Sand shiner ?

A-42

Quillback ?

A-43

Logperch ?

A-44

Brood Hiders

Lithophils

Creek chub ?

A-45

Rainbow darter

?

A-46

Blackside darter ?

A-47

Slenderhead darter

?

A-48

GUARDERS

Substrate choosers

Phytophils

White crappie ?

A-49

Nest Spawners

Lithophils

Central stoneroller ?

A-50

Black bullhead ?

A-51

Rock bass ?

A-52

Green sunfish

?

A-53

Orangespotted sunfish ?

A-54

Bluegill ?

.A-55

Longear sunfish ?

A-56

Smallmouth bass ?

A-57

Phytophils

Largemouth bass ?

A-58

Black crappie

?

A-59

Speleophils

Striped shiner ?

A-60

Bluntnose minnow ?

A-61

Fathead minnow

?

A-62

Bullhead minnow ?

A-63

Yellow bullhead ?

A-64

Channel catfish

?

A-65

Stonecat ?

.A-66

Tadpole madtom ?

A-67

Flathead catfish ?

A-68

Johnny darter ?

A-69

Polyphils

Pumpkinseed ?

A-70

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Species

Breeding

Guild•

Spawning

Season

Spawning

Temperature

Spawning

Location

Emerald shiner

Simple lithophil.

April to mid-August in the

24 Cs ; 22.2 C'6

;

Nearshore areas of large

Great Lakes

16

;

20.1 to 23.2 C in

southern Canada m ;

lakes, depths avg. 3 es

; 2-6

m'''; over hard sand3.134

, mud

Late May and early July in

TN134 ;

Peak during June and July

in WI;

22 C' 6•12'

that is free of detritus's;

normally gravelly schoals138;

rounded boulders and coarse

rubblel".

Mid-May to early June in

11)35;

Late June to mid-August in

Lake Erie'.

Spawning Activities

Parental Care

Dispersal of Fry

Selection of Nursery Areas

Adults gather in enormous

Nonguardee.

Eggs:

demersa13'4•28421 ; non-

Pelagic3; mid-water or near

schools offshore at night3 ,

smaller males pursue the

larger females for a few

seconds at a time. As the

pairs swim in a 10 to 20 ft

adhesive3'4•28; deposited on to

substrate' and hatch 24-32

hrs3.

Yolk-sac larvae:

Remain on

the surface62.

circle, the male overtakes

the female and presses

closely on either side while

interlocking their pectoral

fins. The pair will arch

and roll over together.

Eggs and milt are released

while rolling. The act may

be repeated several times3.