Habitat Use by Larval Fishes in a Backwater Lake of the Upper Mississippi River

ABSTRACT

Light traps were used to sample larval fishes in Lawrence Lake (Pool 8, upper Mississippi River) from late May through mid-August 1990. Catches differed considerably between vegetated sites and an adjacent open-water area and were highly variable among vegetated stations. Sunfishes (Lepomis spp.) dominated the vegetated sites. Brook silversides (Labidesthes sicculus), Cyprinidae and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) dominated catches at the open-water site. There was no difference in fish use of vegetated habitats near and far from the main channel of the Mississippi River. Taxonomic diversity was greatest at stations with emergent vegetation.