597.5 F2d 1980 Rev. Elser , Allen A Distribution off fishes in southeastern Montana CITION OF FISHES IN SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA Cooperatively Compiled by Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management STATE CCCUMENTS COLLECTION 1 5 1992 MONTANA state library / 1945 eTSBtAVE: JELENArMQNTANA 59S20 (jbUUL ■m 1 i m APR 27 2001 MONTANA STATE LIBRARY S 597.5 F2d 1 980 Rev. c. 1 Elser Distribution of fishes in southeastern M 3 0864 00075282 7 MR 3 - 2002 DISTRIBUTION OF FISHES IN SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA Cooperatively Compiled by Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management *»&&.♦ Authors Allen A. Elser, Fisheries Manager Region 7, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Mark W. Gorges, Fisheries Biologist Miles City District, U.S.D.I., Bureau of Land Management Lani M. Morris, Fisheries Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks October 1980 Revised Edition Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/distributionoffi1980else_0 TABLE OF CONTENTS Paqe Introduction 1 Description of Area 1 History 1 Physiography and Geology 2 Climate 2 River Basins 2 Yellowstone Basin 2 Tongue River 3 Powder River 4 Minor Yellowstone River Tributaries 4 Little Missouri River 4 Literature Review 5 Methods 5 Sampl ing Sites 6 Fish Distribution 23 Pall id Sturgeon 24 Shovelnose Sturgeon 26 Paddlefish 28 Goldeye 30 Mountain Whitefish 32 Rainbow Trout 34 Brown Trout 36 Brook Trout 38 Rainbow Smelt 40 Northern Pike 42 Carp 44 Goldfish 46 Golden Shiner 43 Pearl Dace 50 Creek Chub 52 Northern Redbelly Dace 54 Flathead Chub 56 Sturgeon Chub 58 Lake Chub 60 Emerald Shiner 62 Sand Shiner 64 Brassy Minnow 66 Plains Minnow/Western Silvery Minnow 68 Fathead Minnow 70 Longnose Dace 72 River Carpsucker 74 Blue Sucker 76 Small mouth Buffalo 78 Bigmouth Buffalo 80 Shorthead Redhorse 82 Longnose Sucker 84 White Sucker 86 Mountain Sucker 88 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Black Bullhead 90 Yellow Bullhead 92 Channel Catfish 94 Stonecat 96 Burbot 98 Plains Killifish 100 Mosquitofish 102 Brook Stickleback 104 White Bass 106 Rock Bass 108 Green Sunfish 110 Pumpkinseed 112 Bluegill 114 Small mouth IBass 116 Largemouth Bass 118 White Crappie 120 Black Crappie 122 Yellow Perch 124 Sauger 126 Walleye 128 Iowa Darter 130 Freshwater Drum 132 Summary 134 Literature Cited 1 35 1 1 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Major drainages in Montana. The area included in this report is shaded. 6 2. Upper half of study area with all sampling sites numbered. 8 3. Lower half of study area with all sampling sites numbered. 9 4. Pallid Sturgeon 25 5. Shovelnose Sturgeon 27 6. Paddlefish 29 7. Goldeye 31 8. Mountain Whitefish 33 9. Rainbow Trout 35 10. Brown Trout 37 11. Brook Trout 39 12. Rainbow Smelt 41 13. Northern Pike 43 14. Carp 45 15. Goldfish 47 16. Golden Shiner 49 17. Pearl Dace 51 18. Creek Chub 53 19. Northern Redbelly Dace 55 20. Flathead Chub 57 21. Sturgeon Chub 59 22. Lake Chub 61 23. Emerald Shiner 63 24. Sand Shiner 65 25. Brassy Minnow 67 26. Plains Minnow/Western Silvery Minnow 69 27. Fathead Minnow 71 28. Longnose Dace 73 29. River Carpsucker 75 30. Blue Sucker 77 31. Small mouth Buffalo 79 32. Bigmouth Buffalo 81 33. Shorthead Redhorse 83 34. Longnose Sucker 85 35. White Sucker 87 36. Mountain Sucker 89 37. Black Bullhead 91 38. Yellow Bullhead 93 39. Channel Catfish 95 40. Stonecat 97 41. Burbot 99 42. Plains Killifish 101 43. Mosquitofish 103 44. Brook Stickleback 105 45. White Bass 107 46. Rock Bass 109 47. Green Sunfish 111 48. Pumpkinseed ,v 113 49. Bluegill ) 115 ill LIST OF FIGURES Figure 50. Smallmouth Bass 51. Largemouth Bass 52. White Crappie 53. Black Crappie 54. Yellow Perch 55. Sauger 56. Walleye 57. Iowa Darter 58. Freshwater Drum p I Page II 119 121 II 123 125 127 ri 129 (I 131 133 II IV LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 . Sampl ing Gear 6 2. Locations of sampling sites 10-22 I I I I! II ii n 1 l l l 1 INTRODUCTION Montana's streams have traditionally supplied water for irrigation, domestic and livestock consumption, recreation, and industry. But a new industry spawned by the energy crisis of the early 70 's threatens to alter Montana's streams and streamflow to an even greater extent. In 1971, the North Central Power Study (North Central Power Study Coordinating Committee, 1971) identified 42 potential power plant sites in the northern Great Plains, 21 of them in Montana. These plants, all to be fired by Northern Great Plains Coal, would generate 200,000 megawatts of electricity, consume 3.4 million acre-feet of water per year and result in a large population increase. Energy development in eastern Montana will affect not only land use but the water resources of the area. Water will be pumped from streams and used to cool steam generators, heated effluents will be added; stream discharge patterns will be altered, run-off from strip mined areas will increase turbidity and change the chemical make up of many streams. Fish populations inhabiting the streams of eastern Montana could undergo great changes in species composition, distribution and abundance as a result of coal and energy development. The objective of this report is to compile available baseline data on the distribution of fishes in southeastern Montana. Then, as decisions are made concerning resource development, protection of the aquatic environment can be adequately considered. DESCRIPTION OF AREA History The first white men to enter southeast Montana were Pierre and Louis Verendyre and two other men in 1742, in search of a route to the Pacific. From the party's sketchy journals, it appears they entered the Yellowstone basin north of Miles City, traveling the Yellowstone, Powder, Tongue and Little Missouri River Valleys. Francois Larocque led another party into the area in 1805, a year earlier than the Lewis and Clark Expedition, pushed by the fears that fur trading activities would be affected by the planned expedition. When Larocque crossed the Powder River, he observed: "The current of the river is very strong and the water so muddy that it is scarcely drinkable. The savages say that it is always thus and that it is for this reason that they call the river Powder; for the wind rises and carries from the slope a fine sand which obscures and dirties the water." The Powder hasn't changed in the 185 years since Larocque visited its banks. The third expedition and most famous was the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In the latter part of June 1806, the party split; Lewis returned via the Missouri, exploring the Marias River, while Clark explored the Yellowstone. Expeditions that followed were for mercenary reasons rather than the scientific purposes of Lewis and Clark. The Northern Pacific Railroad came into the area from the east in 1881. Construction of military forts and the railroad brought cattlemen into the area. Irrigation developed slowly in eastern Montana, since the practice was not essential to most crops grown in the early days. Surveys for the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project were completed in 1902. Construction began in 1905 and initial water was available in 1909. And so agriculture remained the top user of water until "King Coal" threatened that spot in the 70!s. Physiography and Geology The lower Yellowstone and Little Missouri basins lie in the unglaciated Missouri plateau. The majority of this area is classified as Northern Rolling High Plains, followed by Northern Smooth High Plains, Pierre Shale Plains and Badlands and Rolling Soft Shale Plains. Nearly all of this is a plains area of one kind or another - a factor that certainly affects water resources and the quality of these resources (Missouri River Basin Commission, 1978) . Most of the lower Yellowstone basin is underlain by the Fort Union Formation, the remainder by the Hell Creek Formation. The Little Missouri drainage lies above the Montana and Colorado sedimentary rock groups. The Fort Union Formation was formed 50-60 million years ago in a vast shallow water lake. Broad swamps and lowlands supported thick forests which formed the base for extensive coal beds. The northern most part of the lower Yellowstone basin came under continental glaciation twice. Prior to glaciation, the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers flowed north through Canada to the Arctic Ocean. With glacial advance, the north-flowing rivers were dammed, changed course and started their eastward flow across Montana in front of the ice and then southward across the Dakotas. Thus a new drainage pattern was formed and the continental divide (flow to the Arctic Ocean) was moved north. (Missouri River Basin Commission, 1978). C 1 i ma te The climate of this region is continental with severe temperatures in summer and winter. Most precipitation falls during the April -September growing season which makes dryland farming possible. On the average, places near the mainstem of the Yellowstone receive 30-35 cm of precipitation annually. River Basins Yellowstone Basin. The Yellowstone River heads near Yellowstone National Park and flows some 1091 km to its confluence with the Missouri River in North Dakota. Of this length, 885 km are in Montana and 410 km are within the scope of this report. Total watershed area is 182,336 sq. km with slightly over half of that in Montana (92,981 sq. km). Flow regimens of the lower Yellowstone are typical of prairie streams with two peaks of runoff. The first occurs in late winter and early spring as a result of low land runoff from snow melt, followed by an early summer peak due to higher elevation snowmelt. Stream gradient in the lower basin is 0.53 m/km. Streamflows vary greatly from year to year, with an average annual discharge of 11.6 billion m^ (1.16 million ha-m) at Sidney. Extremes range from 13.3 m3/sec to 4502.9 m3/sec. Water quality is considered generally good above Miles City, while below Miles City dissolved solids and sulfate concentrations may restrict some uses of water. Total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity increase with progression downstream. The dominant land use of the lower basin is agriculture with emphasis on irrigated crops. Irrigation returns result in an increased sediment load and concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS). The surrounding terrestrial environment is an impressive cottonwood-wil low bottom land. The lower Yellowstone River supports a diverse and productive fishery which is dependent on good water quality and adequate flows. A total of 46 species of fish representing 12 families has been collected in this reach of the river. Tongue River. The headwaters of the Tongue River rise on the eastern slope of the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming and flow generally northeast through Montana to join the Yellowstone at Miles City. The length of the Tongue River from the Montana-Wyoming border to it's confluence with the Yellowstone is 337 km. Flow in Montana is controlled by the Tongue River dam. The dam, completed in 1940 for irrigation and flood control, stores about 85 million m3 (8,512 ha-m) of water with a full pool area of 1416 surface ha. Drainage area of the Tongue basin is 13,932 sq km, with 70% in Montana. Average annual discharge is 11.9 m^/sec, with a maximum of 377 m3/sec in 1962. Flow from the Tongue is generally less than 6 percent of the Yellowstone at Miles City>with its greatest contribution occurring in March. The Tongue River basin is comprised of narrow stream valleys, plateaus and gently rolling uplands. Relief grows less rugged towards the mouth of the river. Major land uses are agricultural with cattle ranching dominating, followed by dryland and irrigated farming. Water quality of the Tongue is better than other prairie streams of the lower basin. TDS in the Tongue average near 500 mg/1. Fish populations vary from a cold-water mixed population downstream from the dam to a slow-water assemblage near the mouth. Migrant fish from the Yellowstone depend on high spring flows to allow good passage. Powder River. The Powder River basin drains an area of approximately 34,318 sq. km of northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. Over half of the drainage is in Wyoming. In general, the Powder flows north to its confluence with the Yellowstone River near Terry. The river, including the South Fork, is approximately 780 km. Typical of prairie streams, the Powder is silt-laden and subject to erratic flow fluctuations with much of its substrate constantly shifting as bed load. Historically, the Powder was much the same as it is now. Early settlers knew it as "a mile wide and an inch deep, too thin to plow and too thick to drink." The river develops only shallow pools and lacks vegetation. Discharge averages 17.6 m3/sec, with an extreme of 878 m3/sec in 1943. The Powder is naturally saline and exhibits an average annual TDS concentration of 1100 mg/1. A major factor affecting the quality of water in the Powder is suspended sediment. Effects of the Powder on the Yellowstone are most pronounced during the peak prairie runoff in March and April. March flow contributions of sediment from the Powder have been noticed as far downstream as Sidney. Livestock and irrigated farming are the dominant land uses in the basin. Fish populations in the Powder are limited in diversity and abundance due to water quality and quantity. Minor Yellowstone River Tributaries Rosebud Creek rises in the Wolf and Rosebud Mountains, flowing northerly some 326 km to its confluence with the Yellowstone near the town of Rosebud. It drains an area of over 3,100 km^ with an elevation drop of 530 m. Rosebud Creek has its largest average monthly discharge during March. 0'Fallon Creek originates in the rolling foothills southwest of Baker, Montana, flowing generally northward to it's confluence with the Yellowstone River near Fallon. The 0'Fallon Creek drainage is large, with the stream flowing about 212 km. The stream is considered intermittent with some reaches flowing year around. Water is sodium-sulfate burdened, with best quality during high flows. Other minor creeks flowing south include: Greater Porcupine Creek, Little Porcupine Creek, Sunday Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Burns Creek and Fox Creek. The north flowing creeks include: Sarpy Creek, Armells Creek, Cabin Creek, Cedar Creek, Glendive Creek and Box Elder Creek. Little Missouri River The Little Missouri passes through a small corner of Montana; entering at Alzada and leaving at Capitol, flowing in a northeasterly direction. The Little Missouri River has highly erratic flows and greatly varying annual discharges. Water quality is poor to fair, with a sodium-sulfate content, yery hard water. Turbidities are moderate to high. LITERATURE REVIEW Earliest records of fish in eastern Montana come from the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803 to 1806. Accordinq to Brown (1971), many of their diary descriptions were inadequate for positive identification of species. However, the following Yellowstone species were credited to them: qoldeye, longnose sucker, mountain sucker, channel catfish and sauger. Scientific investigation of fishes in southeastern Montana was only an incidental part of the westward expansion until well into the twentieth century. The Pacific Railroad surveys of 1853-1855 collected several species which were sent to the Smithsonian Institute (Brown 1971). Additional collections were made in 1870-71 by the U.S. Geological Survey, followed by reconnaissance surveys under the direction of the U.S. Fish Commissioner in 1889. Limited collections were made during the late 1950's and early 1960's by Dr. C.J.D. Brown and his associates while preparing the Fishes of Montana (Brown 1971). Early interest and the high esteem placed on Montana's prime trout waters resulted in a scarcity of information on warm water fish until recently. Since Montana is nationally known as a "trout fishing paradise", the warm water species were ignored. Another factor was the greater difficulties encountered in sampling warm water streams with their more diversified habitats with larger and more varied fish populations. Increased interest in coal and its rapidly expanding development in the early 1970' s brought the prairie fishes into forcus. The earliest concerted sampling effort occurred on the Yellowstone River near Forsyth to evaluate possible impacts of water withdrawals for Colstrip Generating plants 1 and 2. From there, sampling efforts expanded throughout the coal fields with extensive sampling being conducted on major drainages and many smaller streams as well. Ranges and distribution patterns of prairie fishes were clarified greatly with this sampling effort. METHODS Sampling techniques varied widely amonq the numerous references used in this report. Some of the sites were sampled in depth usinq electro- fishinq qear4 seines, gillnets and trapnets. More extensive sampling on some streams may find that sites sampled only with a dip net or small seine have a greater fish diversity than shown here0 Table (1) lists the gear used for fish sampling in each of the studies used as a reference. Baited fish traps included hoop nets and/or home made catfish traps. Table 1. Sampling Gear. Gear Literature Cited Numbers Eleetrofishing Boat Boat Mounted Mobile Electrode Bank Shocker Gill net Seine Baited Fish Traps Minnow traps Dip Net Hook and Line 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 16, 20 6, 21, 22, 26, 27 3, 5, 6, 7, 14, 16, 23, 24, 27 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 4, 6, 7, a 12, 14, 16, 21, 22 4 5, 6, 9, 14, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 12 Sampling Sites Figure 1 shows the major drainages in the state of Montana. The creeks and rivers of the southeastern portion of Montana which are covered in this report are exhibited in Figures 2 and 3. On these two maps, the location of each collection site is identified and numbered. Originally 253 sites were included. With this revision, 17 new sites have been added. In order to keep sites consecutively numbered, new sites include the number of the nearest previous original site and a decimal number. Table 2 lists the township, range and section of each site, where known; data references are indexed by collection site in this table. Stock ponds, reservoirs and other water impoundments where game species have been stocked in this area were not included as part of the distribution of these fishes. X3 OJ "ID 03 o Q_ CD S- CD "O =3 U 03 s- 03 a 03 c CD cr 03 s- o •r-j CD CU cr CD S- OJ -Q c c/1 CD -M to tr x; V ' % ! •J ■W, ■ ;V\ ^ ■ f I h ilh-i 30 Firjuro 7. Goldeye [H-todon aloboidoA 31 MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH This species is common to the cold mountain streams of western Montana. It is rare in southeastern Montana due to a lack of suitable habitat. Mountain whitefish were identified at two sites on the Tonque River. Brown (1971) recorded this species from only one site in this area - Rosebud Creek. Sites: 44 and 46 32 F inure 8. Mountain Nhitefish [Vh.o6opi.wm ioittlamioni 33 RAINBOW TROUT Rainbow trout have been planted in many ponds in southeastern Montana as well as above and below the Tonque River Reservoir dam. A few individuals are cauqht each year in the lower Yellowstone River, but overall, rainbows are not common to the area. Sites: 2-5, 42, 44, 45, 47 14 Fiqure 9. Rainbow Trout [SaJbno c\aAJidn&U. 35 BROWN TROUT This species was planted in the Tonque River Reservoir (1958-1960) A few individuals are cauqht in the lower Yellowstone River each year. Overall, the brown trout is not common in southeastern Montana. Sites: 2, 3, 5, 35, 45-47 and 146, 36 Fiqure 10. Brown Trout (Salmo ttiiitta 37 BROOK TROUT This species has been planted in a number of ponds in southeastern Montana. However, due to lack of suitable habitat, brook trout are rare in this part of the state. Sites: 25, 30, 90, 190,194 and 195. s • ■ i Si i ■ ' i ' ■ * •A '[■/''"' ■' 38 Fiqure 11. Brook Trout 39 RAINBOW SMELT The rainbow smelt is a recent addition to the This species was introduced into Lake Sakakawea in Game and Fish Department as a forage base. Penkal identified this species in 1980 and indicated that large numbers. lower Yellowstone River. 1971 by the North Dakota (personal communication) they were found in Site 40 Figure 12. Rainbow Smelt. [0&me.mi6 moidax) 41 NORTHERN PIKE Northern pike have been widely planted in the ponds and lakes of southeastern Montana includinq periodic plants in the Tonque River Reservoir. As a result of these plantings, some stream dwell inq populations have developed, Pike in the larqer rivers apparently move into weedy tributaries to spawn in the sprinq. Some of these tributaries are used by the younq-of-the-year as nursery qrounds. Sites: 2-5, 19-25, 35, 42, 45, 46, 47, 55, 73, 156-158, 1G6, 174, 182, 183, 187, 189, 204, and 236- 114, 127, 134, 139, 147-149, 190, 192, 196, 198, 199, , . ,.>.,Vf'-"- ' ' ' 42 Figure 13. Northern Pike E40X lllC-iuA 43 CARP The carp has a wide distribution in southeastern Montana. Its habitat preference for warm shallow waters with aquatic vegetation typically is found in many streams and ponds in this part of the state. Sites: 1-6, 8, 9, 17-24, 34-53, 55, 56, 58, 63, 66, 72-76, 79, 80, 86, 87, 91, 97, 98, 101, 105-107, 110, 112, 114-118, 121, 125-128, 131, 132, 134, 139-142, 146-148, 152, 153, 156-160, 162, 164, 166, 175-177, 179, 180, 183, 184, 186, 187, 189, 196,197, 204-210, 212-217, 222-224.5, 225.1, 227, 227.1, 233 and 236. 1 i l ■y/J ■ , ; wmm^ wr.. .-" * ■■'■■ • ' 'V/v;iv#' ' . / 44 Fiqure 14. Carp 45 GOLDFISH This introduced species is rare in southeastern Montana coexists with carp at all sites where it has been found. It Sites: 45, 47, 212, 222 and 223. Jim ■■•:. .;■ - s. mmm y-.H Afi Fiqure 15. Goldfish \ \ 47 GOLDEN SHINER The qolden shiner has been used as a foraqe fish in stocking programs which may account for its sporadic distribution over the area. This minnow tends to be plentiful where found. Sites: 6, 42, 45, 47, 55, 56, 58-60, 72-76, 78, 97, 125-127, 175,196,227,233, 233.1 and 239. 48 Fiqure 16- Golden shiner ( tlotenigo nu6 cKiji> ole.uc.aA 49 PEARL DACE We have no data to expand the known distribution of this species in southeastern Montana. Brown listed only one site on the Yellowstone River for the pearl dace. Sites: None 50 Fiqure 17. Pearl Dace [Semot1 . , &J 'A ■ i. rS 54 Fiqure 19. Northern Redbelly Dace "Phoxinui, 2.06 55 FLATHEAD CHUB The flathead chub is abundant in the prairie streams of south- eastern Montana; it is the fourth most common species in this report. Although widely distributed, the flathead chub is more common in the larger flowing streams than in intermittent creeks. Sites: 1-7, 17-24, 35-42, 45, 46, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 53, 66, 73-76, 78, 86, 87, 92, 94, 96-112, 114-121, 125-129, 131-133, 135, 138, 139-141, 143, 144, 146, 147, 150-154, 157, 162, 164, 166, 169, 174, 177, 178, 180, 183, 186, 187, 189, 193, 194, 196, 197, 203, 204, 210, 214-217, 220, 224.1-224.5, 227, 230, 233 and 244. 56 Fiqure 20. Flathead Chub [Htfb0}36JJ> qkolcaJM, 57 STURGEON CHUB This species is rare in Montana. It has been collected mainly in the Yellowstone and Powder Rivers, generally in areas characterized by moderate to strong currents over a gravelly substrate. Although widely distributed in the large rivers of southeastern Montana, the sturgeon chub is not common where found. This species is classified as a state species of special concern in Montana. Sites: 3, 4, 5, 36, 101-107,169- and 228. 58 Fiqure 21. Sturqeon Chub [Hijbopt>U> Qiitida 59 LAKE CHUB The lake chub is abundant and widely distributed in southeastern Montana. It is found mainly in smaller creeks rather than in large rivers. It is the fifth most common fish in this report having been found at about 42% of the sampling sites. Sites: 6-14, 18-30, 32, 33, 52-54, 56, 57, 60, 62-75, 78, 80-82, 84, 85 87-90, 94, 99,100, 109-112, 116, 118, 121-129, 131, 132, 134-139, 141, 142, 144, 145, 153, 154, 162, 163, 165-168, 170-176, 178, 179, 180, 184, 187, 191, 194, 195, 210-212, 219, 224.2, 224.3, 227, 228, 230 and 251. v ■ ■ ■ •' 1 ' I r ■ ; ; . ; •' >. .: 60 Fiqure 22. Lake Chub Coumb-laA plu.mbe.Li6 61 EMERALD SHINER The emerald shiner is widely distributed in southeastern Montana. This species has been collected primarily from the lower sections of small prairie streams in this part of the state. Sites: 6, 16, 18, 56, 73, 98, 99, 126-127.1, 133, 139, 141, 144, 150, 162, 173, 174, 177, 180, 183, 186, 189, 193, 196, 213, 214, 217-219 and 227.1 \\ii' ■■ v, ;. ^ :^ '■■' ' . I ■■■■■ ' X WSSI .',- 62 Fiqure 23. Emerald Shiner 63 SAND SHINER This hardy species is common in southeastern Montana and can be locally abundant. It was collected at about 26% of the sites in this report. The sand shiner has not been found upstream of the Tongue River in the Yellowstone drainage. Sites: 50, 56-59, 63, 75, 79, 80, 97-100, 106, 114-116, 118, 121, 125-128. 129, 131-134, 135, 139-141, 144, 146-148, 150, 151, 155, 158, 159, 163, 166, 169, 173, 175, 177, 178, 180-182, 184, 186, 189, 193, 196, 203-205, 207-218, 224.1-226, 227-228, 233, 244 and 251. ' ( i Vv 6; .'V, .-., :/?■ . f \ .i ■ . ■?' **> A , \ - La ■ '■' 64 Fiqure 24. Sand Shiner ( Mo tnopi.6 6 tARminaui) 65 BRASSY MINNOW The brassy minnow is common in southeastern Montana. It was collected at about 1/4 of the sites in this study, widely expanding the known distribution of the species in the Yellowstone drainage. Sites: 34, 50, 56, 57, 59-61, 63, 67, 68, 75, 78, 80, 81, 83-85, 87, 89, 90, 96-98, 102, 108, 110, 111, 115, 121-132, 136, 137, 139, 140-142, 144, 145, 147, 148, 160, 166, 168, 171, 175-179, 182-184, 187, 193-196, 197, 200, 201,203,205,210,213,215,216,219,226,226.1,226.3, 230, 233 and 233.1. , j-g& I rt A<> <■■■' : -■ 66 Fiqure 25. Brassy Minnow [HybogncutkuA hankin&oni 67 PLAINS MINNOW/WESTERN SILVERY MINNOW The plains minnow and the western silvery minnow are combined since not all available distribution data differentiates between the two species. These species are widely distributed in southeastern Montana and are often abundant. Sites: 2-6, 17, 17.1,34,36,39,40,52-56, 58, 59, 66, 71, 73-75, 80, 91, 97, 99-112, 115-119, 123, 125-127, 129, 133, 139, 140, 141, 143-147, 150-155, 162, 169-171, 175, 177, 180 , 181, 183, 186, 187, 189, 196, 202, 203, 205, 212, 214, 215, 217, 219, 224.1, 224.2, 227, 227.1 and 233. i t: . ■ /• * k :'\\ fl ' ' f >■ < AW \ i \i\ ■ . v V- ' PLAINS MINNOW "■■' ■■Wv-V "/. /-J I- hV~J >" ' l V"-' ''■"'' ''■ ';7J < i) f. WESTERN SILVERY MINNOW fifl Fiqure 26. Plains Minnow/Western Silvery Minnow [Uybognathubi) 6Q FATHEAD MINNOW This species is widely distributed, and it is very abundant in southeastern Montana. The fathead is the second most common fish in this report, havinq been collected at about 64% of the sites. This hardy minnow is well suited to the extremes encountered in prairie streams where conditions range from flowing water to ephemeral pools. Site: 6-18, 25, 27, 34, 38, 50, 53, 56-58, 62, 64,66, 72_76, 78.81 , 84-90, 96-100, 108-116, 118, 119, 121-137, 139-148, 151, 153-160, 162-166, 169-179, 180, 184-187, 189, 193-197, 200-222, 224-227, and 253 L« - kmft % ; • £? 70 Fiqure 27. Fathead Minnow [Pime.ph.aleA pnomelaA 71 LONGNOSE DACE This species is widely distributed and abundant in southeastern Montana. The longnose dace was collected at about 54% of the sites; it is the third most common species in this report. Although it occurs in a wide variety of habitats, this minnow prefers flowing water with a rocky substrate. Sites: 2-7, 17-29, 31-34, 36, 38-42, 44-46, 49, 50, 53, 56, 58, 63, 64, 66, 70-75, 78, 81, 82, 84, 86-90, 94, 96-100, 102-106, 108-112, 114-116, 118, 120, 121, 125, 127-129, 131, 132, 134-144, 146-148, 153, 154, 158-170, 174, 175, 177-181, 186, 187, 189, 193-195, 197, 202, 204-207, 210-212, 224.1-224.3, 224.5-224.7, 225, 225.1, 227,230,233.1, 235, 244, 245, and 251. 72 Figure 28. Longnose Dace lRh to ma6 05 WHITE SUCKER The white sucker is widely distributed and abundant in southeastern Montana. It was collected at about 73% of the sites in this report, ranking it as the most common species. Sites: 1-10, 12-14, 16,17,18-50, 52, 53, 55-69, 71-81, 83, 35-89, 96-100, 108-118, 121-144, 146-148, 151-153, 156-172, 174-183, 184, 186, 187, 189-198, 200, 202-219, 222, 223, 224.1-226.2, 227, 233 and 233.1. . • V , j ynv v. %-.<•. * | /T i u 86 Fiqure 35. White Sucker \Cato6tomuA corrmoAAovil 8 7 MOUNTAIN SUCKER This species is common in the Rosebud and Tongue River drainages, where it finds the cool clear waters it prefers. With the exception of these streams and the Yellowstone River, the mountain sucker is rare in this corner of the state. Sites: 1-7, 18-27, 30, 31, 36, 38-41, 43-45, 49, 50, 86, 121,125,142,163,167, and 168. J ; ... . ■ . mm ■-• ■ 83 Fiqure 36. Mountain Sucker [CcitoAtomuA plRttjnhijnc.hu!, 89 BLACK BULLHEAD This species is widely distributed and abundant in southeastern Montana. It was collected at almost 1/3 of the sampling sites in this report. Habitats in which it was found varied from large rivers to pools in small intermittent streams. S i tes : 2, 3, 6, 8-10, 15, 15.1, 18, 39, 40, 42, 45, 47, 52, 53, 55-63, 66, 72-76, 78, 86, 109, 111, 113-116, 118, 121, 126,127,129,133,134,140, 147, 149, 153, 157-160, 166, 174-176, 179-182, 184, 194-196, 198, 200, 202-204, 208-219, 222, 224.2, 224.7, 225.2-226.2, 227, 229, 233, 234, 236,237, 240, 247, and 251. • \ ' : . ; S . mm ; .-.-.- ^ \ • ■ \ --,/:. , « - * . ■ ...... 1 90 Figure 37. Black Bullhead 91 YELLOW BULLHEAD This species is only about 1/3 as widely distributed in southeastern Montana as the black bullhead. It was found in combination with the black bullhead in 20 of the 26 collection sites in this report. Brown (1971) listed only one site for the yellow bullhead in this part of the state. Sites: 36, 39, 40, 42, 45-47, 55, 73, 75, 111, 114,129, 153, 157, 175, 177, 180- 182,184, 196, 202, 205, 210, 212, 214, and 217. 1-13 .■■'•' :M U. < 9:' Fiqure 38. Yellow Bullhead ( IctnlwiuA natatti, 93 CHANNEL CATFISH The channel cat is one of the major game fish in southeastern Montana. It was collected at only about 17% of the sites in this report, mainly in the larger rivers and creeks. Much of the sampling in the lower reaches of tributaries coincided with spring spawning migrations. Sites: 1-5, 17-18, 35-38, 47, 49-52, 55, 56, 66, 73, 74, 91, 101-106, 115-118 125-127.1, 133, 139, 147, 156, 166, 175, 180, 187, 189, 197, 224.5, 227, 227.1 and 233. . * . • ' : mt mi . [' "< . i 94 Figure 39. Channel Catfish 1cXoI.ua.ll6 puntcLtuLi 95 STONECAT This species has a fairly wide distribution in southeastern Montana. It was found at about 26% of the sites, mainly in flowing water over rocky substrates. Sites: 1-6, 18-24, 35-50, 55, 56, 58, 63, 73, 74, 86, 97, 101-105,107 109, 117, 125 -127, 131, 133, 141, 146, 147, 156, 166, 169, 175, 181, 182, 189, 202, 204, 207-213, 224.1-224.7, 227, and 244. W:.<:< r, '. . If 1 ; ■ ! >M~1 96 Fiqure 40. Stonecat (UotuAuA filavuA 97 BURBOT This species is found in the larger rivers of southeastern Montana. It was identified at approximately 5% of the sites. The burbot is a popular winter and spring game fish in southeasten Montana. Sites: 1-5, 18, 35, 36, 38, 101, 102 and 157. 98 Fiqure 41 . Burbot Lota lota 99 PLAINS KILLIFISH This species is more common in the lower Yellowstone drainage than was originally thought. Expansion of the known distribution of the plains killifish in Montana has warranted the removal of this fish from Montana's list of fishes of special concern. This species has been collected mainly in small Clearwater creeks. The killifish is usually locally abundant where found. Sites: 16, 92-94, 96, 98-100, 119, 121, 125, 129, 135,136,138-140,143-145,147, 152, 157, 158, 161-164, 166, 169, 170, 175, 184, and 244. 100 Fiqure 42. Plains Kill i fish {FunduZu.6 kcin&az, 101 MOSOUITOFISH Mosquitofish have been collected at Angela Hotsprings which is located at the head of Lone Tree Creek. The year round survival of Gambusia in Montana is restricted to waters with thermal influences. Sites: 95 102 Fiqure 43. Mosquitofish [GambuAia cl^ajua) 103 BROOK STICKLEBACK This species is normally found in small, clear, cool streams. It has been collected mainly in tributaries to the lower Yellowstone and in the Beaver Creek drainage. The apparent distribution of the stickleback does not extend very far up the Yellowstone drainage. Si tes : 113, 136, 137, 141, 142, 147, 150, 151, 153, 156, 160, 161, 164, 166-168, 174-176, 179, 182, 184, 185, 188, 189, 191, 194, 195, 197, 200, 201, 204, 210, 212, 213, 215-220, 222, 224, 224.3, 224.5- 224.7, and 225.2-226.2. 1 I \ • • - V > * • , • V c -. 'f. \ • ; • • « 104 Figure 44. Brook Stickleback [Culaza -InaonAtanA 10- WHITE BASS According to Brown, the white bass was not found in Montana. In 1978, Bob Needham, a Montana Fish and Game Department fisheries manager captured and released one white bass at the "dredge cuts" connected to the Missouri River just below Fort Peck Dam. In 1980, Penkal (personal communication) collected and identified one individual in the Yellowstone River at Seven Sisters Island. The presence of white bass in Montana may be due to an upstream movement of these fish from the Garrison Reservoir in North Dakota. Around 1968-69, forty-seven white bass were introduced to the reservoir as forage fish. Site: 5 106 Figure 45. White Bass (Moione c,hAij6opt>) 107 ROCK BASS This species has been collected exclusively in the Tongue River and its tributaries in Montana. Rehwinkel (1978) collected rock bass in Clear Creek, a Wyoming tributary to the Powder River, entering the Powder near the state line. It is anticipated it will be found in the Lower Yellowstone River. Sites: 4, 36-48, 55, 73 and 86. \'&i .',-, < T — - ■■- " ,-■ ■ rwm JirC- ': :;-' XL* ■ M ■ Yt. t 108 Fiqure 46. Rock Bass [kmbloptitoj> mipoAthJJ, 109 GREEN SUNFISH This species is the most widely distributed of the sunfish family in southeastern Montana. It was collected at about 26% of the sites in this report. Sites: 2, 6-10, 12, 14, 16-17, 34, 38-40, 42, 45, 47, 55, 56, 63, 66, 73-79, 81, 84,90, 100, 102, 103, 108-110, 112, 115-118, 121, 123, 124, 125- 129, 131-134, 136, 137, 139, 140, 142, 147, 148, 156, 157, 160, 166, 175, 179, 182, 207-210, 212, 213, 215, 224.1-226.2, 227, 227.1, and 233-235. 110 Figure 47. Green Sunfish Lzpomos ctjan&ttuA 111 PUMPKINSEED This species has a scattered distribution in southeastern Montana reflecting it's wide utilization as a stock pond fish. It was collected at about 9% of the sites in this report. Sites: 16, 34, 36, 42, 45, 47, 50, 55-63, 78, 79, 128, 148, 166, 175, 177, 215, 216, and 246. 112 Fiqure 48. Pumpkinseed LcpomiA g*.bbo6uA) 113 BLUEGILL This species has a widely scattered distribution in southeastern Montana reflecting its utilization as a stock pond fish. At most sites it is found with other sunfish species. Sites: 42, 50, 52, 74, 75, 78, 79, 81, 127, 194 114 Fiqura 49. Bl uegill ( LzpomiA maatioahihuA ) SMALLMOUTH BASS Smallmouth bass were collected primarily from the Tongue and Yellowstone Rivers. The smallmouth population in the Tongue is thriving and with increased interest is providing excellent angling opportunities. Growth rates of the Tongue River smallmouth are comparable to Missouri smallmouth streams (Clancey 1980). Smallmouth bass have been used in stock water ponds in eastern Montana, but are not reflected on the map. Sites: 2-4, 35-38, 41-43, 45-47, 55, 57, 73 and 194. mm, 116 Figure 50. Small mouth Bass Ill LARGEMOUTH BASS This species was collected only on the Tonque and Yellowstone Rivers. Numerous ponds throughout southeastern Montana are stocked with largemouth bass; these are not shown on the distribution map. Sites: 2-5, 35, 45 and 47. 118 Figure 51. Larqemouth Bass [Micn.opte.nad 6 nign.omacLilcU.Lvi, 123 YELLOW PERCH Yellow perch were collected mainly in the Yellowstone and Tonque Rivers. The yellow perch has been stocked in a number of ponds throughout southeastern Montana. Ponds are not shown on this distribution map. Sites: 3, 5, 17.1, 41, 42, 44-47, 55, 73, 125, 210, 212,223 and 226. 124 Fiqure 54. Yellow Perch 125 SAUGER This species is one of the most popular gamefish in southeastern Montana. It has been collected mainly on the larger rivers and streams Sauger are locally abundant offering great angling opportunities during spring spawning runs in Yellowstone tributaries. Sites: 1-5, 18, 35, 36, 38-40, 42, 45-50, 55, 91, 101-103, 106, 107, 125, 156, 166, 187, 189, 204, 227 and 227.1. 126 Fiqure 55. Sauqer [Stizobtzdion canadcmn) 127 WALLEYE The walleye is another important sport fish in eastern Montana, but is not as widely distributed as the sauger. This species was taken at about 9% of the sites, restricted primarily to the larger streams. Walleye have been utilized as a pond fish which is not reflected on the distribution map. Sites: 2-5, 18, 35, 36, 45, 47, 50, 55, 73,125,139,175,183,189,204-207, 209-212, and 223. 128 Fiqure 56. Walleye (Stizo6tddion vi£A