# W etlands and F ish:

C atch the Link 

# W etlands and F ish:

C atch the Link

N ational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration N ational Marine Fisheries Service O ffice of Habitat Conservation 1315 East-West Highway S ilver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 713-2325 www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat

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For additional copies of this document, contact:

N ational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration N ational Marine Fisheries Service O ffice of Habitat Conservation 1315 East-West Highway S ilver Spring, Maryland 20910 (301)713-2325 www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/ 

## A uthors: Leah Graff and J ulie Middleton Sa ve Our Streams Program I zaak Walton League of America, Inc. 707 Conservation Lane G aithersburg, Maryland 20878 (800)BUG-IWLA (284-4952) www.iwla.org 

## S pecial thanks to the following reviewers:
M ason D. Bryant , U.S. Forest Service, Alaska S andy Burk , Potomac Conservancy, Maryland J im Bybee , National Marine Fisheries Service, California Allan H. Clark , Citizen’s Water Quality Monitoring Program, Georgia S helly Hatleberg , HDR Engineering, Inc., California B ill Hastie , Governor’s Natural Resources Office, Oregon N ick Iadanza , National Marine Fisheries Service, Oregon R

obert J. Kent , New York Seagrant Program, New York J ason McGarvey , Izaak Walton League of America, Inc., Maryland Allyn Rowland Rozzelle , Izaak Walton League of America, Inc., Maryland S haron Rushton , SR Enterprises, Pennsylvannia R

on Scott , Izaak Walton League of America, Inc., Maryland J oseph Starinchak , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.



## InCooperation with:
M ike Meador, U.S. Geological Survey, North Carolina 

## Cover Page: Photographs: Kathryn Conant S triped bass graphic: D uane Raver

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# T able of Contents

F ish Need Wetlands .............................................................................. 1 This section highlights the importance of wetlands to fish and the effects of declining wetlands on fish populations.

W etland Functions Are Essential to Fish .............................................. 3 This section provides examples of benefits wetlands provide to fish such as food, spawning sites, refuge, and clean water. Which Fish Use My Wetland ................................................................ 5 This section provides information on different types of wetlands and the fish that depend on them. Becoming a Wetland Steward ............................................................... 24 This section provides examples of how people can become involved in protecting and restoring wetlands and the fish that depend on them.

R esources.............................................................................................. 27

G lossary................................................................................................ 30

R eferences............................................................................................. 31

A ppendix A........................................................................................... 36

II

### IIIWhat kinds of wetlands exist in your community? If you live near a river, there are probably wetlands along the river and in the floodplain. If you live near a lake, there may be wetlands in shallow areas around the edge of the lake. If you live near the ocean, wetlands may be located behind the beach dunes or in shallow bays. Even if there is no open water near your home, a

w et shrubby depression or grassy valley could contain

w etlands that fill with water during the rainy season and are dry for the rest of the year. Wherever you live, it is more than likely that wetlands are nearby.
Itis important to remember that wetlands do not exist in isolation, but are instead a part of an extensive, interconnected system of land and water called a watershed. A watershed is the area of land that drains to a particular body of water such as a river, lake, or

w etland. Wetlands are linked to the atmosphere through the hydrologic cycle. Rain enters wetlands directly or through lakes, streams, and groundwater. W etlands help regulate the hydrologic cycle by holding rainwater and slowly releasing it back into streams and lakes, ensuring that fish have a constant and steady water supply.
W etlands are vital to fish populations because fish depend on certain wetland processes. Wetlands serve as a food base, shelter, spawning and nursery areas, and for water filtration. They contain large volumes of food that attract many animal species. Plants and other organic matter provide food for small aquatic insects, fish, and shellfish. In turn, the smaller insects and fishbecome food for larger predatory fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Wetlands not only provide food for aquatic and non-aquatic animal and fish species, they also provide vegetated areas where fish can reproduce, hide from predators, and take

r efuge from inclement weather or other changes in thephysical environment. Wetlands also filter out sediments and pollutants, providing the clean water that fish need. Thus, a network of abundant and healthy

w etlands is vital to the survival of most fish species.


## D eclining Wetlands, D eclining Fish Habitat

D espite the important benefits that wetlands provide, more than 50 percent of the wetlands in the lower 48 states have been affected by pollution or development since colonial times. Fortunately, wetlands now are

r ecognized as a necessary and integral part of natural 

# F ish 1 and humans have similar basic survival needs. Both require food, shelter, and a healthy environment. Wetlands fulfill these essential needs for fish across the United States. For example, shrimp feed and grow in the tidal marshes of the M ississippi delta. Striped bass pursue killifish living in the salt marshes along the Chesapeake Bay. Young salmon rest in the brackish marshes along the Pacific Coast, until their bodies adapt to salty ocean waters. Alewife and blueback herring lay eggs in the forested

wetlands along rivers in the eastern United States. D ifferent types of wetlands provide fish with food,

r efuge, and safe areas to lay their eggs. This publication explains the critical link between

wetlands and the survival of fish populations. Reading this publication will give you information to help you educate others about the importance of wetlands to fish and ideas for how to conserve wetlands in your community. If you catch fish, eat fish, or appreciate the beauty of fish and their importance in the web of life, this publication will assist you in becoming involved in wetlands conservation. If you alreadyunderstand the importance of wetlands, this information can be used to reach out to fishing communities to join you in your efforts to protect wetlands.



## What is a Wetland?

W etlands can be as small as a backyard pond or as large as the Everglades, and they are found throughout the United States and on every continent except Antartica. The primary characteristic that differentiates

wetlands from other landscape features is that they are

wet. Within this publication, wetlands are defined as

v egetated areas that are covered with water or have very

wet soils for part of the year. However, there are many different legal and scientific definitions of wetlands that include other characteristics. Other wetland definitions include wet areas without vegetation, but this document focuses on vegetated areas because

wetland plants provide a unique habitat and other benefits to fish that unvegetated areas do not provide. 

# F ish Need Wetlands

1 1 The term “fish” refers to both finfish and shellfish, unless otherwise specifiedecosystems. Federal, state, and local regulations have curbed losses of this important ecosystem during the last 20 years. Despite a better understanding of their importance and regulations restricting wetlands destruction, the United States continues to experience a net loss (approximately 58,500 acres per year from 1986 to 1997) from development, agriculture, and transportation projects.
I ncreased development and continued conversion of

wetlands to other uses result in wetlands being degraded or destroyed. As a result, it becomes more difficult for fish to find the habitats they need. Studies

re veal that one factor limiting the survival of juvenile coho salmon is the lack of habitat such as forested

wetlands, beaver ponds, and stream pools they need tosurvive through the rainy winters. Blue crab populations along the East Coast may be declining due to the loss of the eelgrass beds that juveniles and molting adults need to hide from predators. Declining fish habitat may result in the listing of fish under the E ndangered Species Act.

W etland loss and declining fish populations affect not only natural ecosystem functions, but commercial and

r ecreational fishing as well. In total, the marine andfreshwater commercial and recreational fishing industries contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to the



### 2 U.S. economy and provide jobs for millions of American citizens each year. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that during 1999 Americans spent approximately $52.3 billion on seafood products, including money spent at restaurants and grocery stores. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, America’s 35 million adult anglers spent approximately $37 billion on fishing activities in 1996. With sportfishing supporting 1.2 million jobs nationwide, the American Sportfishing Association reports that if sportfishing were ranked as a corporation, it would place 13th on the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest businesses.
W etland destruction and its effect on fish populations are among the many issues forcing us to re-evaluate our activities on the land. The linkage between the land, water, and atmosphere assures that there is no lake, stream, ocean, or wetland that has not beenaffected by human activity. Pollution, habitat destruction, and the introduction and subsequent population explosions of non-native species have brought us to a point where more than one-third of the freshwater fishspecies found in North America are listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern by at least one state. Conserving and restoring wetlands are good places to start to reverse this trend.



### F ish swimming among mangrove roots. National Marine Fisheries ServiceH umans also rely on wetlands for food. Although mostof us would not find a plate of steamed cattails appealing, many people would enjoy some mouth-watering, grilled largemouth bass. Largemouth bass also don’t like to eat wetland plants or detritus directly, but they do eat red swamp crawfish. And red swamp crawfish eat detritus. The relationship between wetland plants that produce detritus, red swamp crawfish that eat detritus, largemouth bass that eat red swamp crawfish, and people who eat largemouth bass is an example of a food chain. Through a series of interconnected food chains, known as food webs, wetland plants support fish and all of the birds, reptiles, bears, otters, sea lions, and people who eat fish.
F ood webs have a delicate balance. For example,

w etland degradation affects not only golden shiners that live and eat in swamps, but also herons, egrets, kingfishers, and water snakes that eat golden shiners. In addition, breeding success of the California brown pelican is strongly correlated with abundance of anchovies that feed in salt marshes and other wetlands. In fact, population declines of many marine mammals andseabirds have been linked to diminishing populations of the fish they eat. Because of the interconnected nature of food webs, any wetland alteration that disrupts the food web can have a cascading effect on fish, wildlife, and human populations.



## F unction: Spawning and N ursery Areas

F ish eggs and young fish have different needs than adult fish, which is why many adult fish live in other habitats and then lay eggs in wetlands. Defenseless and immobile eggs can be hidden from predators among

w etland edges and underwater grasses. Wetland plants, dead plant material, and detritus provide a surface for fish to attach their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the

v egetation becomes both a protective cover and a food source. Young fish dart into the wetland vegetation to hide, while the juvenile stages of bay scallops, hard 

# W etland Functions Are Essential to Fish

3 A Food Web Wildlife Forever 

# F ood, shelter, clean water, and a safe place to raise young are as vital to fish as they are to humans. W etlands can fulfill many fish needs because of their functions, such as providing habitat, producing food, and cycling nutrients. The most important

wetland functions for fish survival are food production, spawning and nursery habitat, refuge, and the

r eduction of harmful pollutants in water.



## F unction: Food Production

W etlands provide a plentiful food supply because of their rapid plant production. Some fish eat plant parts while other fish eat small insects and crustaceans that

eat or live on plants. Some fish prefer wetland plant material that has been decomposed by bacteria, worms, and aquatic insects into an energy-rich organic material called detritus. In addition to being enriched with nutrients important for fish growth, detritus flows throughout the aquatic system. For example, the alternate flooding and drying of forested floodplains increases plant growth, detritus production, and nutrient availability. These products are then washed downstream, benefiting fish living many miles away,such as the menhaden, whose diet is one-third detritus. Furthermore, fish do not have to eat detritus directly to benefit from this large source of wetland food production. For example, striped bass eat smaller fish and shellfish that consume detritus.In addition to using wetlands to elude predators, fish need wetlands to escape changes in environmental conditions such as changes in water level, velocity, or bad weather. Coho salmon rely on the calmer waters of forested wetlands adjacent to streams to escape the fast currents of Pacific Northwest streams during winter floods.



## F unction: Clean Water

Clean water is as important to fish as clean air is to people. Wetlands help to clean water by filtering out potentially harmful pollutants. Some pollutants can become trapped by wetland vegetation and then stored within layers of sediment. Other pollutants are transformed into less harmful forms by wetland plants and small organisms called microbes.

W etlands provide natural filtration in a way that is much less expensive and far more efficient than technology. In 1991, scientists estimated that if it waspossible to mimic the filtering capacity of the bottomland hardwood wetlands found throughout South Carolina, it would cost millions of dollars to construct such a water treatment plant. Not only would a treatment plant be difficult and costly to construct, the plant’s maintenance would cost even more.

W etlands also reduce the effects of natural water quality changes on fish populations. The roots, stems, and leaves of wetland plants slow down water flows,

r educing streambank and shoreline erosion. Minimizing erosion reduces the amount of sediment in the water that can clog fish gills or smother fish eggs. For example, Lake Erie marshes trap silt, benefitting species that need clear water and sand or gravel bottoms to spawn. Forested wetlands in the North Carolina coastal plain regulate the flow of freshwater into brackish and estuarine nursery areas downstream. W ithout this valuable function, salinity levels would change drastically with each rainfall, placing stress on fish and other aquatic organisms that rely on a delicate balance of freshwater and saltwater. clams, and some other shellfish cling to salt marsh

v egetation and seagrasses for several weeks before settling on the bottom. Most shrimp harvested in the G ulf of Mexico depend on salt marshes for nurseries. The vegetation protects young shellfish until they have grown large enough to ensure their survival on the estuary floor. Shallow waters in wetland ecosystems provide shelter for young fish from adult predators because many adult fish cannot live in shallow water.

W etlands provide productive spawning areas for fish. No r thern pike swim from the deep waters of Lake Erie to spawn in freshwater marshes along the shoreline. The adults leave the marshes soon after spawning, but larvae and juveniles remain in the protective vegetation until mid-summer, when the shallow waters become too warm. Anadromous fish, such as salmon and river herring (alewife and blueback), migrate hundreds or thousands of miles from saltwater to freshwater streams and streamside wetlands to spawn. Blueback herring spawn when floodwaters allow access to the abundant food supplies of streamside hardwood forests. Although many salmon species lay their eggs in the moderate-moving water of streambeds, the larvae and juveniles exploit the abundant food supply of streamside wetlands during floods. Some populations of chum salmon spawn directly in coastal marshes. S triped bass migrate to freshwater areas to spawn so juveniles can use tidal freshwater wetlands as nursery and feeding areas.



## F unction: Refuge

Adult and juvenile fish alike use wetlands to hide from predators. Thick plant growth can visually confusepredators and camouflage small fish. Juvenile muskellunge, northern pike and other small fish with green and mottled coloring can blend in with marsh grasses, virtually disappearing before a would-be predator’s eyes. Dense vegetation and shallow water prevent many predators from entering coastal marshes and other wetlands. Gobies, anchovies, juvenile snook, and juvenile spotted seatrout dart into the intertwining root systems of mangrove wetlands to escape larger predators. The root systems of trees and shrubs in floodplain wetlands allow stream banks to hang over the water, providing protective habitat for chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, and other fish.



### 4

# T he first step in learning about the fish that live in local wetlands is to determine what type of

w etland is in your backyard or neighborhood. Compare your wetland to the descriptions of common

wetland types on the following pages. Then, turn to the page for that wetland type and see what fish species might be found there. Please note that many more species of fish use wetlands than have been listed in this publication. Also, many species use more than one type of wetland but were used as an example for onlyone wetland type in this publication. For more information on the variety of fish that can be found in

wetlands, please see Appendix A. These tables list many of the fish species known to use each common

wetland type, how each species uses the wetland, and the regions of the country where each fish is found. Additional information can be found at the National M arine Fisheries Service’s Office of Habitat Conservation web page, www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat. Finally, go straight to the source - your wetland - to find out exactly which fish are using it.

W etlands come in many shapes, sizes, and forms. The unifying feature of these ecosystems is that they are

wet. Different fish species reside in different types of

wetlands. The amount of water in a wetland and the length of time the wetland stays wet influences the fish species that can benefit from the wetland. The type of

wetland, its geographic location, salinity level, and

v egetation type are important features that determine the fish species found in a particular a wetland.

What makes a wetland a usable habitat for fish? Fish need standing water that is deep enough not to freeze solid in the winter. Marshes along rivers, lakes, and estuaries often are flooded and are easily accessible to many types of fish. However, wetlands do not have to be wet all the time to be important habitat for fish. For example, forested floodplains that may have standing water for only a few weeks at a time are vital to the

r eproductive cycles of many fish such as American eel and Pacific salmon that live part or all of their lives in streams and rivers. Not every wetland is accessible to fish. Some wetlands are shallow depressions in the landscape that collect rain and runoff for only a few months every year. To be good fish habitat, wetlands that dry up in the summer must be close enough to another water source to allow fish to migrate back to safer, more permanent waters when necessary. 

# Which Fish Use My Wetland?

W etlands can be grouped numerous ways based on similar and differing characteristics. Sorting wetlands can sometimes be useful to determine what fish mightbe found in them. Several methods have been developed to describe different wetland types. This publication separates wetlands into categories based on whether or not they are tidal, whether the water is saltyor fresh, and the type of vegetation that most commonly grows in the wetland. 

## Common Wetland Types

S altwater Wetlands F or all saltwater wetlands, the salinity varies with season, time, precipitation, location, and water depth.



### S eagrass Beds S ubmerged saltwater wetlands in all coastal states except Georgia and South Carolina. Vegetation includes rooted submerged plants (eelgrass, turtlegrass, widgeon grass, etc.) collectively known as seagrass. Although the plants look similar to grasses, they are not part of the grass family.



### T

idal Salt Marshes T

idal (water depth varies with the tide) saltwater

w etlands usually vegetated by salt-tolerant grasses,

r ushes, sedges and other soft-stemmed plants. Found along protected coastlines throughout the United S tates. 

### M angrove Wetlands T

idal wetlands in the Southeast, Gulf Coast region,and Hawaii, dominated by short salt-tolerant mangrove trees. Like salt marshes, mangrove wetlands

r equire protection from the open ocean. Mangrove trees are noted for their unique system of twisted roots that rise above the water surface and provide fish and wildlife habitat.


### Freshwater Wetlands Fr eshwater wetlands receive water from one or more sources: precipitation, surface water or ground water.



### T

idal Freshwater Marshes T

idal (water depth varies with the tides) freshwater

w etlands dominated by grasses, sedges, rushes, and broad-leaved aquatic plants. Found throughout coastal

r egions. 

### 5

### N on-tidal Freshwater Marshes Fr eshwater wetlands that are not tidal, but water depth may vary with the seasons. Can be wet all year or dryup seasonally. Vegetated by a wide variety of softstemmed aquatic plants such as cattails, arrowheads, pickerelweed, reeds, grasses, and sedges. Can be isolated from other water sources or may border a river, lake, or pond. Found throughout the country, this type includes prairie potholes, playas, some vernal pools, and fens.



### Fo rested Wetlands Fr eshwater wetlands that can be tidal or non-tidal, but water depth may vary with the seasons. Vegetated by trees such as red maple, cypress, tupelo, and/or evergreen shrubs. Found throughout the country,forested wetlands include floodplains of rivers, backwater swamps, pocosins, and bogs. These wetlands can appear seasonally dry. 

## R egions of the United States

Because wetlands and fish populations vary from place to place, this document divides the United States into several regions. These region names are used in the rest of this section and in Appendix A.



### • Pacific • Southwest • Great Lakes • Southeast • Northeast • Mountain-Prairie • Alaska • Gulf Coast

6 

### Gr eat Lakes

No r theast

S outheast

G ulf Coast P acific S outhwest M ountain-Prairie Alaskaroots and by trapping fine sediments and suspended particles. This function helps provide the clear water many fish and eggs need to breathe.

F ish prefer a variety of foods, and seagrass beds are excellent places to find diverse food sources. Pinfish, queen conch, and other fish eat the grass blades directly. For those fish that find the grass unappetizing, there are many other choices on the seagrass bed menu, including detritus from decomposing leaves, organisms that attach themselves to the grass blades, and the smaller fish, shellfish, and invertebrates that live among the seagrass beds. Some coral reef inhabitants, such as parrotfish and snappers, often forage in seagrass beds at night. Juvenile and adult fish move into seagrassbeds to feed or hide from predators during high tide and move back into deeper water as the tide falls. Bluefish, weakfish, and spotted seatrout are among the large predators that will eat smaller fish in the seagrass beds at high tide.
Juv enile fish may use other types of habitat along the coasts, but the thick tangle of seagrass blades seems to be their preferred place to live, eat, and hide from predators. Schools of juvenile fish are found in seagrass beds during spring and summer, when the beds are growing in full force. S eagrasses provide a spawning surface for a variety of fish, including Pacific herring and bay scallops. Young bay scallops attach to seagrass blades to reduce their risk of being eaten by small crabs that patrol the sea bottom. In fact, the population of bay scallops in the Chesapeake B ay collapsed during the 1930s when a disease apparently killed most of the seagrass beds. 

## S eagrass Beds

If

you live in any coastal state, except Georgia and S outh Carolina, seagrass beds brimming with fish may be nearby. Seagrasses are grass-like plants that live in shallow, salty waters of the world’s coastal zone, where they constantly are battered by waves and tides. Beds can be small, isolated patches that shift over time or

v ast carpets covering many hundreds of miles of ocean floor. Seagrasses must have clear, salty water to live.

The coasts of Georgia and South Carolina have water that is too fresh and too turbid for seagrass beds to survive. Fish almost always have access to seagrass beds, because they usually remain submerged, even at low tide. The grasses slow water currents, making movement easier for fish. They also reduce turbulence and erosion by stabilizing the sea bottom with their


### 7 Alaska seagrass bed U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

## F ish Found in Seagrass Beds

A

tlantic stingray (Dasyatis sabina) This small ray lives in shallow coastal waters from F lorida and the Gulf of Mexico north to the Chesapeake Bay and eats small crustaceans and invertebrates found in seagrass beds. 

### Bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) This important commercial scallop attaches to seagrass blades as juveniles before settling on the bottom. Bay scallops live along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts, using wetlands for food, refuge, spawning, and as a nursery.



### English sole (Parophrys vetulus) This fish uses shallow coastal water, including seagrass beds, for food, shelter, and as a nursery. They eat crustaceans, worms, and other small aquatic animals often found within seagrass beds. Marketed as filet of sole, they are commercially important on the West Coast, including Alaska. 

### Bay scallop Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) Juvenile lingcod prefer to feed and seek shelter in shallow, inter-tidal areas of bays near seagrass beds. An important commercial and sport fish along the Pacific Coast, it uses wetlands for food and refuge.



### Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi)This herring species spawns in shallow Pacific shoreline wetlands. The fertilized eggs attach to seagrasses, algae, and marsh grasses. This species is commercially important, particularly for its eggs. Other commercial uses of this fish include table food (fresh or salted), fish meal, and bait.



### S potted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) This popular commercial and sport fish prefers shallow, grassy areas including seagrass beds and salt marshes in the Northeast, Southeast, and Gulf Coast

r egions. Spotted seatrout eat grass shrimp and small fish. They use wetlands for food, refuge, spawning, and as a nursery. 

### English sole

NOAA Lingcod

National Ocean Service

Pacific herring

National Ocean Service

S potted seatrout

D iane Peebles

8 NOAA

### S triped mullet (Mugil cephalus) This important commercial fish lives over shallow, muddy bottoms in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf

r egions. It feeds by scooping mouthfuls of mud and digesting tiny plants as the mud passes through the gut. It uses wetlands for food, refuge, and as a nursery.

F or more comprehensive list of fish using seagrass beds see A

ppendix A.


## C ase Study: Seagrass Bed

B lue crab (Callinectes sapidus) Life history: Blue crabs can be found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Their life cycle involves free swimming and bottom-dwelling stages that require a

v ariety of habitats from marshes to open-water estuary. F emales carry the eggs until they hatch into a floating stage. Eventually, the larvae move to the bottom and become small crabs. Crabs shed their shells and generate new ones to give their bodies room to grow. S oft-shelled crabs eat their old shells and use the calcium to grow new shells. Herons, gulls, fish, and people love to eat these soft-shell crabs. I mportance of wetlands to blue crabs: Y oung crabs depend on seagrass beds and coastal marshes for food and refuge. Without these wetlands, the crabs have a limited viable nursery or protection from predators. M olting adults also rely on the protective cover of

w etland plants. Adult blue crabs frequent grassy shallow bays to scavenge for smaller crabs, clams, seaweed, and dead fish.

I mportance of blue crabs to people: Blue crabs support a large seafood industry in Chesapeake Bay and along the southeastern and Gulf Coasts. Crabs are boiled, roasted, curried, served cold, and spiced in homes and restuarants throughout these regions. In the Chesapeake Bay region, the blue crab represents a way of life. This symbol of the Chesapeake’s proud heritage appears on coffee cups, keychains, and other souvenirs. Crab festivals, complete with hardshell races and the crowning of Miss and Little Miss Crustacean, areintegral to the identities of Chesapeake Bay communities.

S tatus: Blue crab populations have declined in recent years at an alarming rate. In 1992, the harvest dropped from 91 million pounds to 54 million pounds. Loss of seagrass beds and over-fishing are considered major causes of the recent decline in blue crab populations.



## T idal Salt Marshes

T

idal salt marshes are common in coastal areas. S alinity in salt marshes varies depending upon the

w etland’s proximity to the ocean, and if there are freshwater inputs such as streams and precipitation. S alt marshes are thick with salt-tolerant grasses, rushes, and sedges, and their distribution varies depending on the salinity. Fish use the vegetation for food, refuge, and spawning areas. Salt marshes are available to fish daily because they generally are flooded at least once a day with the rising tide. Channels of deeper water cut through dense salt marsh vegetation like a maze and provide ready access to food.

Ev en at low tide, when most of the marsh plants are exposed to the air, fish are able to use salt marshes by swimming in the channels. Some smaller fish, such as killifish, live in salt marshes throughout their life cycle because they are able to survive in a wide range ofconditions, including changes in salinity and temperature. One type of killifish, the mummichog, can 

### S triped mullet

D iane Peebles

B lue crab

NOAA

9

## F ish Found In Tidal Salt M arshes

Atlantic menhaden(Brevoortia tyrannus) This commercially important, though not well known, fish uses salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts as a nursery for young. This fish is used to produce fish meal and oil.


### Chinook salmon(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Juveniles of this species live in salt marshes for six months or longer to benefit from abundant food sources and to adjust from the freshwater where they

we re hatched to the saltwater where they live as adults.



### D iamond killifish (Adinia xenica) This fish can be found from the central Atlantic Coast south to Florida and along the Gulf Coast. This important prey species lives in salt marshes and mangroves. burrow into the mud when the tide goes out and wait for the water level to rise again. When the tide returns, mummichogs venture far into the shallow waters of the marshes in search of plentiful food supplies. Killifish are an important food source for predators such as striped bass, bluefish, and other larger fish.

The shallow water and harsh conditions of salt marshes prevent many larger fish from inhabiting salt marshes permanently. Instead, fish such as croakers, flounders, and halfbeaks move into salt marshes during high tide to feed on the abundant smaller fish and invertebrates, then return to deeper water when the tide goes down. Other fish are seasonal visitors and use the marsh for spawning, nursery grounds, or refuge from predators. S ticklebacks (fish that are related to seahorses and have bony plates along their sides) are seasonal spawners that build their nests in the marsh vegetation.

M any juvenile fish, including crabs, shrimp, striped bass, and alewife, benefit from the marsh. Along the G ulf Coast, juvenile drum, anchovy, mullet, and mojarra spend the summer months in marshes takingadvantage of the abundant food and warm temperatures, increasing their growth rate. 

### Chinook salmon

10 T idal Salt Marsh U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, 1906

### S triped bass (Morone saxatalis) This popular commercial and sport fish lives in coastal waters, bays, and salt marshes along the Atlantic Coast, and has been introduced in the western United States and inland reservoirs. Juveniles eat small shrimp and other crustaceans, worms, and insects found in salt marshes. Adults feed on a wide variety of fish and crustaceans living in salt marshes and other coastal habitats. Adults spawn in salt marshes and freshwater tidal marshes.



### S ummer flounder(Paralichthys dentatus) S ummer flounder is found along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf Coasts and uses salt marshes as a nursery for young.

F or a more comprehensive list of fish using tidal salt marshes, see Appendix A.


## C ase Study: Tidal Salt Marsh:

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Life history: Salmon are anadromous, meaning that they spend their adult lives in the ocean but migrate upstream to spawn. Young coho live in streams and backwater wetlands for up to a year, then migrate downstream to marshes in estuaries where they become adjusted to saltwater. Juveniles mature in the ocean about two years, before returning as adults to streams to spawn. Most salmon return to their natal stream, but a small percentage seeks out new locations. Salmon

r ecognize their birthplace stream through their powerful sense of smell. Most Pacific salmon die after spawning. 

### D ungeness crab (Cancer magister) This crab uses salt marshes and seagrass beds along the northern Pacific Coast and Alaska as a nursery. Larvae hitchhike on jellyfish or ride tidal currents to get to the

wetlands from their spawning grounds in the lower portions of estuaries. The young crabs seek food and

r efuge among the wetland vegetation until the crabs grow into adulthood. Adult crabs are a favorite food of seals, sea lions, and humans.



### No r thern anchovy (Engaulis mordax) This fish finds food and refuge from predators withinsalt marshes along the northern Pacific Coast. Northern anchovies eat small crustaceans and fish larvae found in wetlands, and in turn are eaten by larger fishand birds. In addition, the anchovy supports a multimillion dollar commercial fishing industry.



### S altmarsh topminnow (Fundulus jenkinsi) This Gulf Coast species is dependent on salt marshes. Loss of valuable salt marsh habitat may lead to a future listing of the saltmarsh topminnow as an endangered species. 

### D ungeness crab

NOAA

No r thern anchovy S triped bass

D uane Raver

11 National Ocean Service

U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, 1906 Coho salmonsubsistence fishing. A popular sport fish, coho salmon have been introduced to the Great Lakes region to provide sport for anglers.

S tatus: Heavy market consumption and the rapid destruction of and decreased access to habitat have led to the disappearance of Pacific salmon from 40 percent of their historical breeding ranges over the last century. Many remaining populations are reduced, and most runs are largely composed of fish produced

in hatcheries. Many populations have been listed as threatened or endangered. Sport and commercial fishing for several species has been restricted or prohibited.



## M angrove Wetlands

M angrove wetlands are found along the coastline in F lorida, Louisiana, Texas, and Hawaii. Mangroves are shrubby, salt-tolerant trees that grow along tropical and subtropical coasts. Among the states mentioned above, mangroves are most common in Florida. M angroves, like salt marshes, require protection from the open ocean and can occur in a wide range of salinities. I mportance of wetlands to salmon: Flooded streamside wetlands offer food and protection to young salmon. During the rainy winter season, young coho seek refuge from strong currents in flooded wetlands, beaver ponds, and other areas of slow water. Tidal marshes and swamps provide a safe area with plentiful food resources for salmon to adjust to saltier water before entering the open ocean. Wetlands also areimportant for the survival of the smaller fish, crustaceans, and insects that comprise the salmon’s diet.

I mportance of salmon to people: Salmon belonging to the genus Oncorhynchus, including coho, chinook, sockeye, chum, pink, steelhead, and cutthroat trout, are often discussed together as “Pacific Coast salmon” when discussing economics and status. Pacific Coast salmon are extremely important commercial and sport fish. In 1997, approximately 570 million pounds of P acific salmon valued at about $270 million were caught and exported canned or fresh. About 75 percent of the total U.S. catch of coho salmon comes from Alaska. However, the value of wild salmon cannot be -measured by dollars alone. Many Native American tribes celebrate the return of these majestic fish with elaborate rituals. Most Northwest states have designated members of the salmon family as their state fish. Salmon also are an important resource for



### 12 M anagrove Wetlands in the Everglades, Florida Kathryn ConantHo w do fish live among trees? Mangrove trees have a thick root system that rises above the soil and water.When flooded by the tide, these roots provide excellent fish habitat. Juveniles and smaller fish hide among the mangroves, safe from larger fish that cannot navigate the tangled roots. Small fish and shellfish are known to swim in the streams and channels that meander through these wetlands. The stagnant backwater areas of mangrove swamps are permanent homes to killifish and other fish species that can tolerate low oxygen and high saline levels.
The extensive root system is not the only reason fish utilize mangrove wetlands. Detritus-rich soils of mangrove wetlands are a rich food source for both crabs and other invertebrates, which are in turn a food source for other fish. Young gamefish such as tarpon, ladyfish, snook, and gray snapper hide from predators among the mangrove roots to eat the abundant invertebrates.


## F ish Found in Mangrove W etlands

Dwarf seahorse(Hippocampus zosterae) This fish lives in shallow water with grasses, floating

v egetation, submerged roots of mangroves, or other

v egetation.



### Gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) This commercially and recreationally important fish spends its early life sheltered in mangrove swamps and seagrass beds. Adults also venture among the mangrove roots at high tide to exploit the wetland’s rich food

source. 

### Ladyfish(Elops saurus) This fish spawns in the open sea, but young ladyfish seek refuge and food in mangroves and other wetlands. This popular sportfish is noted for its habit of skipping along the surface of the water and for jumping after being hooked.



### M angrove rivulus (Rivulus marmoratus) This fish lives in shallow saltwater environments with

v egetation, including salt marshes and mangroves. S ome individuals seek protection in crab burrows. M angrove rivulus can survive at low oxygen levels. Loss of salt marsh and mangrove habitats may lead to the future listing of this species as endangered.



### S potfin mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus)This fish seeks food and refuge along shallow, mangrove-lined tidal creeks. Spotfin has a mouth with jaws that can be extended to form a short tube used to suck up worms and other invertebrates from the bottom.



### T

arpon(Megalops spp.) These fish prefer warm, shallow waters including mangrove wetlands. They also use mangroves as a nursery for young. Tarpon can survive in areas with low oxygen levels. Adults feed at night on small fish and crustaceans.

F or a more comprehensive list of fish using mangrove

wetlands, see Appendix A. 

### Gray snapper

D iane Peebles Ladyfish

D iane Peebles

T

arpon

National Ocean Service

13I mportance of shrimp to people: Brown, white, and pink shrimp are the most valuable commercial fishery in the United States. These shrimp also are important for recreational fishing. In 1999, 304 million pounds of shrimp, valued at $561 million, were caught in U.S.

waters.

S tatus: U.S. shrimp harvests have been fairly steady since 1960, but there are concerns that continued

w etland losses, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico

r egion, could lead to sudden population declines of these wetland-dependent shellfish.



## T idal Freshwater Marshes

T

idal freshwater marshes are found farther upstream from the coast than salt marshes or mangroves. These marshes are close enough to the coast to experience tides, but at the same time are above the reach of the ocean’s saltwater. Tidal freshwater marshes are foundmost often along the mid- and south-Atlantic coastline. Many of the plants found in tidal freshwater marshes, such as arrowhead, cattails, bulrushes, andother soft-stemmed plants, also can be found in nontidal marshes, and therefore it is difficult to differentiate these wetland types solely by vegetation. Fish utilize the portions of the marsh that are closest to the river because these areas have deeper water and are flooded more regularly. 

## C ase Study: Mangrove
S hrimp (Penaeus spp.) Life history: Bro wn (Penaeus aztecus), white (P. sertiferus) , and pink (P. duorarum) shrimp are found along the Atlantic Coast from Massachusetts to Florida and within the Gulf of Mexico. Shrimp spawn in the ocean. After spending some time drifting in open water, larvae float with the tides into estuaries and salt marshes, where they settle to the bottom among the

wetland vegetation. Adults eventually move back to the shallow water near the shore to spawn.

I mportance of wetlands to shrimp: Shrimp need

wetlands in order to survive. They benefit from tidal salt marshes as a food source and to escape predators, especially as juveniles. Juveniles eat marsh detritus and algae that grows on marsh plants. Studies have shown that as wetland acres increase and shrimp access to

wetlands increase, shrimp production increases.

Kenilworth Marsh, Washington, D.C. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Baltimore District 

### 14 S hrimp

NOAAThe fish communities of tidal freshwater marshes are complex and change seasonally. These wetlands are used by freshwater, estuarine, marine, and migratory fish. A wide variety of fish species is attracted to freshwater tidal marshes because their dense vegetation and rapid production of detritus provides excellent

r efuge for juveniles, areas for spawning, and plentiful food resources.


## F ish Found in Tidal Freshwater Marshes

American shad (Alosa sapidissima) These migratory fish use tidal freshwater marshes ofthe Atlantic Coast as nurseries for their young. Juveniles stay in wetland nurseries until the fall, when they move out to sea. Adults later return to the streams where they were hatched to spawn. American shad eat insects, shrimp, worms, and fish.



### A

tlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) This fish uses tidal freshwater marshes as nursery areas. Adults also visit these wetlands in warmer weather to feed on mollusks, worms, small shrimp, and crabs. 

### American shad

D iane Peebles Chain pickerel(Esox niger) F ound along the Atlantic Coast, these fish use tidal freshwater marshes as a food source and as nursery and spawning areas. Chain pickerel’s color patterns helps them to use the cover of aquatic plants to hide from their prey. Pickerel scatter their eggs among wetland plants to protect the eggs from predators.



### Channel catfish(Ictalurus punctatus) This important sport and commercial fish finds food in tidal freshwater marshes in the Mississippi basin, the G ulf Coast, and many other parts of the country where it has been introduced. This is the catfish most commonly served in restaurants and supermarkets. The catfish scours the bottom of marshes for plant seeds, insects, crawfish, small fish, and other prey. This fish locates food through smell and touch, using whisker-like appendages.



### Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) This fish migrates from the open ocean to freshwater to spawn in pools and tidal freshwater marshes. The parasitic adults attach to the sides or bellies of other fish or whales and draw blood and other body fluids for food. 

### American croaker

D iane Peebles Chain pickerel

Channel catfish

D uane Raver

15 D uane Raver

### Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) This sport fish uses Gulf and Atlantic coasts tidal marshes as a nursery for their young. Adults stay close to shore and eat the crustaceans and small fish that live in marshes.

F or a more comprehensive list of fish found in tidal freshwater marshes, see Appendix A.



## C ase Study: Tidal freshwater marsh

American eel(Anguilla rostrata) Life history: American eels can be found throughout the Mississippi River basin and in many eastern rivers. E els spend much of their lives, particularly during winter hibernation, buried in gravel, mud, or rocks. Adept at working their way upstream over or around low falls or dams, eels are thought to sometimes even travel overland on rainy nights. Eels eat a variety of fish, insects, crustaceans, and worms. The eel’s acute sense of smell may help it find food. The American eel

is a catadromous species, which means it lives in freshwater but returns to saltwater to spawn. These fish stop eating when they leave their freshwater homes to migrate thousands of miles to spawn in the Sargasso S ea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean east of the B ahamas and south of Bermuda. Eels expend so much energy during their migratory journey that they die soon after they spawn. I mportance of wetlands to American eels: Eels, because of their snakelike movements, are able to navigate in extremely shallow marshy areas. They prefer mangrove roots and other wetland areas, such as marshes and seagrass beds, to hide from predators.They flock to all types of wetlands to eat the abundant small fish, crustaceans, and insect larvae that make wetlands their home. Immature eels often seek winter refuge in tidal and non-tidal wetlands.

I mportance of American eels to people: American eels have long been fished for food and sport. Smoked eel is considered a delicacy, especially in Asian and Eu ropean cultures. Native Americans in the eastern United States would partially dam rivers with stones and then net or spear migrating eels as they were forced through the restricted openings. In addition to their consumptive importance, the American eel has long held a place in myth and speculation. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the location of the eels’ spawning grounds and their movements at sea were mysteries.

S tatus: Recent concerns about declining American eel populations were one factor that led the Atlantic S tates Marine Fisheries Commission to develop a management plan for the fish. Declines throughout the East Coast are thought to be the result of dams blocking eel migration, loss and degradation of habitats, water pollution, and the appearance of a parasite that has reduced the eel populations in parts of Europe. 

### Common snook

D iane Peebles

American eel

D uane Raver

16

## Non-tidal Freshwater M arshes
One of the broadest categories of wetlands is non-tidal freshwater marshes. Wetlands included in this category are any non-tidal wetland with soft-stemmed plants rather than trees or shrubs. The vegetated areas generally have no standing water or have shallow water that varies in depth depending on rainfall, but they

may contain pools or channels with much deeper water. Non-tidal marshes typically are dominated by floating plants such as water lilies and duckweed, or soft-stemmed plants such as cattails, arrowheads, reeds, and sedges. Non-tidal marshes can be found in low spots in a field or meadow, fringing lakes, and adjacent to rivers. N on-tidal marshes are found throughout the United S tates, but some types of non-tidal marshes are associated with specific geographic regions. Prairie potholes are typically found in the northcentral United S tates and southcentral Canada. Playas are small basins that dry up in the summers and most commonly found in the western and southwestern states. Fens are peatlands found in northern states and mountainous areas. Non-tidal marshes can be found even in the deserts of the southwest, where one-third of fish species are completely dependent on groundwater-fed

w etlands and river-side marshes called cienegas.

S ome non-tidal marshes support fish and some do not. As a general rule, the deeper the water in the marsh and the more its hydrology is connected with lakes and rivers, the more likely the marsh is to support fish. N on-tidal marshes with little or no standing water support few, if any, fish. Non-tidal marshes with very shallow water often dry up in the summer and/or freeze solid in the winter, making them only temporary homes for fish. If shallow-water non-tidal marshes contain deep pools or are close to a pond, river, or lake, they may contain northern pike, brown bullhead, bluegills, and other fish during certain seasons. Ho we ve r, if these shallow non-tidal marshes are isolated from other bodies of water, large fish probablywill not live in them. Some isolated or shallow nontidal marshes may support killifish and other small fish that can survive the higher temperatures and lower

o xygen levels associated with shallow water. Human alteration also impacts fish use of non-tidal marshes. F or example, most playas are unavailable as fish habitat because they are farmed or used as a water source for irrigation.

N on-tidal marshes that fringe large water bodies like the Great Lakes provide spawning areas and a food source for many fish such as walleye and muskellunge. Lake Erie supports more fish in terms of numbers and diversity than any of the other Great Lakes, partly because of its extensive system of marshes that provide feeding areas, shelter, and spawning areas to a variety of fish species. Smaller lakes and slow-moving rivers throughout the country also can have fringing marshes that provide essential habitat to many common fish species. 

## F ish Found in Non-tidal Ev erglades, Florida Kathryn Conant

17

## Fr eshwater Marshes

B luegill(Lepomis macrochirus) This heavily fished species lives in shallow water marshes and fens among wetland plants. Males create nests within wetland vegetation and protect eggs until they hatch. Fry remain in marshes and use these

wetlands as nursery areas.



### M innows (Cyprinidae) These small fish are important food for larger fish, and they use marshes for food and refuge from predators. S ome minnows are used by anglers as bait and others are used in laboratories to test pollution levels of industrial discharge to rivers.



### Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) This popular sport fish is found in heavily vegetated marshes bordering lakes and large rivers. Muskellunge scatter their eggs among aquatic vegetation.



### No r thern pike (Esox lucius) This large sport fish spawns in shallow vegetated areas along the borders of lakes and in fens. This fish frequents marshes in search of food. The color pattern of northern pike allows it to hide from its prey among non-tidal marsh vegetation. 

### B luegill

D uane Raver White bass (Morone chrysops) This important commercial and sport fish can be found in shallow and deep portions of water bodies in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin regions. White bass spawn in marshes by broadcasting eggs

ov er vegetation in shallow water. This fish also seeks food in marshes.



### Y

ellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) One of the most popular bullheads for sportfishing, this fish is native to the Great Lakes and eastern United States, but has been introduced throughout the country. Yellow bullhead visit marshes to eat plant matter, crawfish, aquatic insects, mollusks, and other fish. Males and females make nests in shallow wetlands among plants and roots. Juveniles also use these

w etlands as nursery areas.

F or a more comprehensive list of fish using non-tidal freshwater marshes, see Appendix A.



### 18 White bass

D uane Raver

Y

ellow bullhead

D uane Raver

## C ase Study: Non-tidal Freshwater M arsh
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) Life history: Largemouth bass spawn in late spring to mid-summer. Males build nests for the eggs in shallow water and guard their young for up to two weeks. Juvenile bass leave their nests when they are about a

week old and form a small school until they disperse along the shorelines.

I mportance of wetlands to largemouth bass: S hallow marshes at the edges of lakes and floodplain wetlands of large, slow-moving rivers arethe largemouth’s favorite habitat. Wetland vegetation provides cover for largemouth bass and supports its food source. Largemouth take cover among flooded stumps and trees and marsh plants such as water lilies and cattails. Adults move to deep water during the day and return to the shallow water at night to feed on small fish, frogs, and crayfish.

I mportance of largemouth bass to people: The largemouth bass is well known by anglers across the country for its excellent fighting ability on the line and its tasty flesh. Largemouth bass is so popular that there are television shows, magazines, clubs, and fishing derbies dedicated to this exceptional fish.

S tatus: Although the historic range of the fish extended from the Great Lakes region south to T

exas and east to the Atlantic Coast, stocking (the

r elease of hatchery-reared fish into an area, largely to support recreational fishing) has spread its range to almost every state. 

## Fo rested Wetlands

Fo r ested wetlands are freshwater tidal or non-tidal areas that are vegetated with trees and shrubs. This category includes wetlands in the floodplains of rivers, swamps in the backwaters of slow-moving rivers, pocosins and bogs, and isolated wetlands. Fish use these types of wetlands in a variety of ways. Although mangrove wetlands are forested, they are discussed separately because mangroves are salt tolerant trees thatgrow along shorelines and support coastal fish populations, while other forested wetlands occur in freshwater

areas.



### F loodplain wetlands Fo r ested floodplain wetlands are wooded areas adjacent to rivers and are flooded when river water is high. Common forested species include red maple, swamp white oak, northern white cedar, green ash, highbush



### 19 Largemouth bass

D uane Raver

Fo r ested Wetland U.S. Forest Service C

ypress Swamp in Okefenokee National Kathryn Conant W ildlife Refuge, Georgia

### P eatlands Bogs, pocosins, and Carolina Bays are types of peatlands. Mosses are the most distinguishing feature of peatlands, and are what forms the “peat” in these

w etlands. Fens are also peatlands, but are typically dominated by herbaceous plants; therefore, fens are discussed with the non-tidal freshwater wetland grouprather than here. Bogs and pocosins are the bestknown examples of wetlands whose soils are a mixture of partially decayed plant matter called peat. These

w etland types vary in their vegetation, connection to other water sources, availability of nutrients needed for plant growth, and acidity. Despite the harsh conditions found in some peatlands, many do support fish. Bogs form in old lake basins or depressions in the landscape and are found largely in the northern United S tates. Bogs get their water from rain, because they are usually isolated from groundwater and surface water. The ground may appear solid, but it is often nothing more than a floating mat of sphagnum moss that quakes underfoot. The sphagnum moss and the peat produce an acidic substance, making some bogs inhospitable to fish. Less acidic bogs may provide habitat for gamefish such as pike, walleye, bluegill, and smallmouth bass.

P ocosins and Carolina Bays are bog-like wetlands found from Virginia to northern Florida, with the majority located in North Carolina. The most obvious difference between pocosins of the Southeast and the bogs of the North is the vegetation. Pocosins are dominated by evergreen shrubs and trees, while bogshave mostly mosses and fewer trees. The word “pocosin” comes from the Algonquin Native American phrase “swamp on a hill.” Indeed, these wetlands are often found on high areas of a flat, water-logged, acidic, and nutrient-poor landscape. Some of the fish found in pocosins are thought to have evolved from saltwater fish species that occupied these areas when sea levels were higher. Other fish species found in pocosins originate from nearby streams or lakes. Occasional drying of these wetlands in the summer or low oxygen levels in the winter can cause fish kills, so pocosins in close proximity to another water source are more likely to be recolonized during floods. Some game species found in pocosins include redfin pickerel, yellow perch, warmouth, flier, black crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. cranberry, and buttonbush. Many fish species gain access to forested floodplain wetlands during floods. F ish find valuable food on the forest floor and use the shallow water areas to spawn. In the eastern United S tates, about half of the fish species found within the lower Mississippi River use the floodplain as a nursery and spawning ground. The majority of southern freshwater fish, including bass and sunfish, lay eggs in the shallow water of forested floodplain wetlands. Likewise, after swimming upstream from the ocean, shad spray their eggs over the submerged vegetation in forested wetlands. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae must find food from the surrounding environment, so the plentiful food supply of detritus found in forested floodplain wetlands is an advantage. The vegetation also protects young fish from predators.

Use of forested floodplains by fish varies throughout the United States. Streams in the arid west often have

r unning water only during wetter times of the year. Ho we ve r, forested floodplain wetlands in the Northw est are particularly important to Pacific salmonspecies. Large woody debris from the riverside wetlands dam sloughs or slow-moving streams and enhance salmon habitat. Strong water currents during the rainy season send young Coho salmon to seek shelter in forested floodplain wetlands. Many salmon species take advantage of the shelter and abundant food supply of forested floodplains by using them as nursery areas. That wetland connection offers a special challenge to resource managers trying to nurture populations of endangered or threatened Pacific or Atlantic salmon back from the brink of extinction. 

### Backwater swamps In contrast to forested floodplain wetlands that are temporary, backwater swamps usually retain water even after floodwater recedes, which means they can serve as habitat for fish that do not return to the stream channel. While floodplain wetlands generally support hardwoods such as maples, oaks, and ash, the typical vegetation of backwater swamps includes baldcypress, water tupelo, and black gum. These backwaters are less than optimal for aquatic life because of fluctuating water levels and low dissolved oxygen levels. Bowfin, gar, and some minnows are able to handle these living conditions because they can breathe

o xygen from the air. In general, small fish dominate backwater swamps while larger fish generally use these areas during floods.



### 20Carolina Bays are small lakes found among the riverside forested wetlands of the Atlantic Coastal Plain that extend from North Carolina to Georgia. These bays are surrounded by or overgrown with marshes and forested wetlands. Small fish such as killifish, darters, and minnows thrive in the thick cover of

v egetation these bays provide.


## F ish Found in Forested W etlands

Alewife(Alosa pseudoharengus) This important commercial species migrates up riversand small streams to spawn in quiet backwater wetlands. Young alewife swim downstream to lakes or the ocean in the winter. People enjoy alewife smoked, dried and salted, and fried. This fish also is used for crab and lobster bait. Alewife and blueback herring, another wetland-dependent fish, are related species that often are grouped together as river herring.



### A

tlantic needlefish(Strongylura marina) F ound throughout the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and non-tidal regions, this fish takes advantage of insects and other food sources found on forested floodplains.


### Bowfin(Amia calva) This eastern U.S. fish species lives in swamps with dense vegetation. Males create nests in the shallow water of forested wetlands by tearing out vegetation and making a trench among the roots. For a week after hatching, fry seek shelter in the wetlands by attaching an adhesive organ in their snout to vegetation. If the dissolved oxygen in the slow-moving wetland water becomes too low, bowfin can breathe oxygen from the air. 

### Crawfish(Procambarus spp.) R

esembling small lobsters, these crustaceans have welldeveloped claws and a broad, flattened tail that serves as an oar. Crawfish burrow into the mud along floodplains of stream and other forested wetlands to

r each water below the surface. During floods, they emerge to take advantage of abundant food resources. F ound along the Southeast Coast and the Gulf Coast, crawfish also use forested wetlands as nursery areas and for spawning.



### Da r ters (Etheostoma spp.) This group of fish lives in clear, swift-moving rivers inthe eastern United States. Darters use forested wetlands along streams for spawning and nursery areas. S ome darters have adapted to live in the slow, lowo xygenated waters of floodplain wetlands.



### Paddlefish(Polyodon spathula) F ound within the Mississippi River basin and the rivers of the Gulf Coast, paddlefish use forested

w etlands for nursery areas. This fish gets its name from its large paddle-shaped snout. Paddlefish are fished commercially for their eggs, which are consumed as caviar.

F or a more comprehensive list of fish using forested

w etlands, see Appendix A.



### 21 D uane Raver Bo wfin Paddlefish

D uane RaverIf your wetland seems to lack a fish population, go back at different times of the year to see if fish have seasonal access to the area. Also keep in mind that fish do not have to live in or even visit a wetland to reap the benefits that it offers. Knowing that your local

w etlands are important to fish should help you getothers in your community excited about their conserv ation. Remember, whether or not fish are living in a particular wetland, its protection can be vital to fish survival.


## C ase Study: General White Sturgeon(Acipenser transmontanus ) Life history: White sturgeon is a large anadromous fish found along the West Coast and inland. Sturgeon use fleshy whisker-like appendages and taste buds along the outside of their mouths to search stream and brackish wetland bottoms for insect larvae, snails, worms, small fish, and crustaceans. Males may take 12 years to reach maturity and females take up to 20 years or longer. Sturgeons are experiencing over fishing and threats to their habitat, resulting in a younger average age and fewer individuals living to sexual maturity. In the early 1900s, catching 800 to 1,000 pound whitesturgeon was common, which is now unusual. Females can produce as many as four million eggs at a time and may spawn only once every two to eight years. White sturgeon spawn predominantly in three large river systems: Sacramento-San Joaquin River system in California, the Columbia River system in the Pacific No r thwest, and the Fraser River system in British Columbia, Canada. The current migration range isnot as extensive as its historic range because of humancaused barriers. Unlike Pacific salmon, white sturgeon cannot jump forward, so it is difficult for them to get

ov er small obstacles such as low dams and culverts. C urrently, there are eighteen landlocked (non-migratory) populations of white sturgeon throughout

w estern North America. Some of these populations are isolated because of natural barriers formed during the last glacial age (approximately 10,000 years ago). Unfortunately with the development of dams on many sturgeon-inhabited streams, additional barriers were formed, limiting migration paths even more. Theselandlocked populations have adapted to a nonmigratory life cycle.



### 22 Alligator gar

D uane Raver 

## C ase Study: Forested Wetland Alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula) Life history: Alligator gars are found along the Gulf Coast and into the Mississippi River valley. This fish species is a classic lie-in-wait predator, ambushing andeating turtles, waterfowl, other fish, and small mammals. Gars spawn during spring flooding when they have access to flooded lowland swamps. Gars may live up to 60 years.

I mportance of wetlands to alligator gars: B ackwater

wetlands are prime habitat for gars. Alligator gars time their reproduction cycles to coincide with flooding so they can lay eggs in vegetated shallows. Adults typically live in pools and slow-moving waters of rivers, swamps, bayous, and lakes. Gars have adapted to low

o xygen levels by using their swim bladder, an organ that allows a fish to have buoyancy, as a lung. Alligator gars intake air from above the water’s surface into the swim bladder, which transfers oxygen directly into surrounding blood vessels.

I mportance of alligator gars to people: These sport fish are highly sought for their firm white flesh.

S tatus: Some state fish and game agencies have limitedangling for alligator gars to relieve decreasing populations.



## E xplore and Learn

This chapter has described a variety of wetland types and provided examples of how different fish may be utilizing them. More information on the fish that rely on local wetlands can be found in Appendix A or by asking local experts. However, the best way to find out about fish populations is to explore the area. Fact finding can be accomplished by fishing, asking other anglers, and talking to your state fisheries biologists.I mportance of wetlands to sturgeon: S turgeons rely on wetlands for spawning and nursery areas. Juveniles may spend several years in tidal freshwater wetlands before migrating to the ocean, feeding on shellfish and insect larvae. Adult sturgeons visit freshwater marshes to feed on schools of smaller foraging fish.

I mportance of sturgeon to people: S turgeon historically have been and continue to be valuable commercial fish. They are so valued that English kings and queens once decreed that sturgeon could be served only at the royal table. Sturgeon are caught for their meat, to produce fine oil, and for their eggs, which are considered prized caviar. The swim bladder is used toclarify white wines, make special glues, and manufacture water-proofing materials.

S tatus: Dams, pollution, habitat destruction, and

ov erfishing have greatly reduced both the numbers and the geographic ranges of sturgeon. Sturgeon declines have become so serious that many species, including pallid, shortnose, and Gulf sturgeon have been addedto the endangered or threatened species list. A naturally landlocked population of white sturgeon in M ontana and Idaho is also listed as endangered.



### 23

# F ish conservation cannot happen without your help. As a nation, the United States has taken the first strides to preserve clean water, conserve

wetlands and other valuable habitat, and conserve native fish populations. Additional wetland legislation, education, and conservation are needed to preserve the delicate balance of land, air, water, aquatic life, and other wildlife needed to sustain fish, wildlife, and people.



## F ish and Wetland Conservation Through Legislation

M any legislative programs have been enacted to address wetland and fish protection and restoration. The best known legislation is the Clean Water Act (CWA), which seeks to improve water quality by maintaining and restoring the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. Although the CWA has helped to reduce the amount of sewage and toxic chemicals entering waterways, its two major goals of making our nation’s waters fishable and swimmable have not yet been realized. Pollution prevention and habitat restoration are important steps toward achieving the goal of fishable and swimmable

waters. One of the oldest examples of fish conservation legislation is the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, which was enacted in 1950. Commonly known as “Dingell-Johnson,” the legislation channels the dollars of America’s anglers directly into the restoration and management of fishery resources in the United States. This act applies an 11 percent manufacturers’ excise tax on fishing rods, reels, creels, artificial baits, lures, and flies. The revenue is distributed to the states to conduct research, purchase access to fishing areas, build boating access sites, and maintain other projects that benefit fish and anglers. This act was amended in 1984 and 1991 to expand the revenue sources to implement fisheries restoration. The amendments, commonly called “Wallup-Breaux,” support increased boating access, aquatic resources education programs, and coastal wetlands restoration as a way to improve nursery habitat for marine sport fish. 

# Becoming a Wetland Steward

Mo re recent legislation that identifies and helpsprotect important fish habitat is the MagnusonS tevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act amended 1996. This legislation authorizes the N ational Marine Fisheries Service, working with

r egional Fishery Management Councils, to designate

“ essential fish habitat” (EFH) for federally managed marine species. For many species and life stages,

w etlands comprise an important component of EFH.

S tates and local governments also have an important role in wetland conservation. However, because of the large amount of information in this area, we did not try to summarize all the important state and local legislation that builds upon the conservation providedby the Federal legislation. Many states are implementing new innovative programs to help reduce wetland degradation and we encourage you to contact your local or state government to get information on their

w etland protection and restoration programs.



## C itizen Action

Although national and state legislation has played an important role in protecting and restoring fish habitat, partnerships and community involvement are essential to continued success. It is important that citizens, government, businesses, and other interested partners work together to protect fish habitat.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the N ational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are among the agencies that have wetland

r estoration programs that benefit fish populations. One program that specifically targets fish habitat

r estoration and involves citizen action is NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program (CRP). Since establishment in 1996, NOAA and its partners have supported grassroots efforts to address important fishery habitat concerns across coastal America by providing seed money and technical expertise. For example, CRP supports “Pepper Busters,” a volunteer project coordinated by the Marine Resources Council of East Florida. Volunteers remove invasive Brazilian pepper trees from mangrove wetlands. Since their


### 24T ampa BayWatch supports wetland restoration efforts through the construction and maintenance of nurseries to grow salt marsh plants. Wetlands plants are grown from local seeds that have adapted to the Tampa Bay estuarine environment. The organization then works with other ongoing restoration efforts to plant the salt marsh grasses at appropriate restoration sites. The nursery plants provide an inexpensive source of nativeplants for many federal, state, county, and city restoration projects throughout the Tampa Bay estuary. Schools and local scientists help monitor salinity, temperature, and plant growth of the newly planted

w etlands.

S upport and funding for this initiative has come from a variety of sources. Area middle and high schools partner with Tampa BayWatch through their science and ecology clubs. The volunteer students help plant and raise the young plants, providing the students with educational opportunities on ecology and agricultural practices. These volunteers also help plant the wetland plants. Program support has been provided from a wide range of sources including private companies and citizens, the state of Florida, the Southwest Florida W ater Management District, the National Estuary Pr ogram, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through its Communitybased Restoration Program.



## Y ou Can Make a Difference

T here are many things that you can do in your community to raise awareness about the interconnectedness of fish and wetlands and to take an active role in their protection and restoration. Some possibilities include:

• J oin a local conservation organization

(see resources section for examples). • S ponsor a wetland tour with a local expert to

raise awareness about the ecological importance of wetlands, particularly to fish.

• Become involved in community land-use

planning to prevent wetland destruction. • P ro vide assistance to local efforts to protect and
r estore wetlands and fish populations. • U rge others to join the effort to protect wetlands as important fish habitat. • R estore wetlands by planting native vegetation with the help of local ecologists. • M onitor the health of local wetlands. introduction as an ornamental tree, Brazilian pepper trees have proliferated in mangrove swamps where they produce thick shade that kills slower-growing plants below and releases compounds that inhibit the growth of other plants. As Brazilian pepper trees strangle mangrove stands whose submerged roots provide vital fish habitat, fish populations suffer. After removing B razilian pepper trees, volunteer Pepper Busters plant mangrove seedlings. In one day, volunteers restored enough mangrove fish habitat to support three million fish during the life of the vegetation. In fact, through this project, volunteers restore more than three miles of shoreline each year. For another excellent example of how volunteer involvement in wetland restoration can benefit fish habitat, read the case study for the Tampa B ay estuary in this section.

In addition to restoring degraded wetlands, volunteersand landowners can play an important role in protecting existing wetland fish habitat. In New Hampshire, the Great Bay Resource Partnership was organized in 1994 to support the North American Waterfowl M anagement Plan and Wetland Conservation Act. A broad mix of non-profit conservation organizations,citizens, and government agencies formed this partnership to protect the Great Bay Estuary located in the southeastern portion of the state. This estuary is 4,500 acres of crucial habitat for fish, waterfowl, and otherwildlife species. The partnership works with landowners on a voluntary basis to identify and implement conservation options for their land. This part of New Hampshire is facing heavy development pressures, and the partnership is working to ensure that important

wetland habitat is not destroyed in the process. To date, the partnership has protected several hundred acres around the Great Bay. 

## Case Study: Volunteers Help

Gr ow and Plant Salt Marsh
The Tampa Bay estuary is located along Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast and supports a diversity of wetlands and fish. Common shellfish and fish that use the tidal salt marshes include crabs, shrimp and marine juvenile fish. Unfortunately, shoreline development and other human activities have significantly altered the estuarine ecology, and destroyed almost half of the historic mangroves and salt marshes. In response, the Tampa B ayWatch organization was formed to monitor, protect, and restore the Tampa Bay marine and

wetland system.


### 25• S hare this publication with friends, family, and other people who care about fish and their habitat needs in your community. Community-based projects and educational programs are essential to the continued existence of fish and shellfish populations as well as the wetlands they call home. Your efforts to conserve, protect, and restore

wetlands and other valuable fish habitat will have a lasting positive effect on the entire ecosystem and your community.



### 26 Planting Saltmarsh, Prall’s Island, New York NOAAU.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds 401 M Street, SW W ashington, DC 20460 (202) 260-2090 www.epa.gov

U.S. Forest Service W atershed and Air Management PO Box 96090 W ashington, DC 20090-6090 (202) 205-1475 www.fs.fed.us

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service N ational Fisheries Program or Division of Habitat Conservation 4401 North Fairfax Dr. Arlington, VA 22203 (703) 358-1715 or 358-2183 www.fws.gov U.S. Geological Survey W ater Resources Division J ohn W. Powell Federal Building 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive R

eston, VA 20192 (888) 275-8747 www.usgs.gov



## Non-governmental O rganizations

M any of these organizations have local chapters. Findlocal chapters and other local organizations by contacting these national offices, using the Internet, or looking in your phone book.
American Fisheries Society 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 110 Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 897-8686 www.fisheries.org American Sportfishing Association 1033 N. Fairfax St., Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 519-1872 www.asafishing.org 

## Gove rnment Contacts 

# T hese agencies have regional, and in some cases, state and local offices. Call or visit their

w ebsites for more information. State environmental, natural resources, and fish and wildlife offices also are good sources of information. Local contact information is available on the Internet or in local phone books.

National Oceanic and Atomspheric Administration N ational Marine Fisheries Service Office of Habitat Conservation 1315 East-West Hwy S ilver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 713-2325 www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat

National Park Service W ater Resources Division 1849 C Street, NW W ashington, DC 20013 (202) 208-4747 www.nps.gov

National Sea Grant College Program NOAA/OAR/R/SE Room 11708 SSMC3 1315 East-West Highway S ilver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301) 713-2431 www.oar.noaa.gov/organization/ programs/sgcolleges.html

Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) W atersheds and Wetlands Division P

.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013 (202) 720-3210 www.nrcs.usda.gov U.S. Army Corps of Engineers R

egulatory and Planning Divisions 441 G Street, NW W ashington, DC 20314 (202) 761-0008 www.usace.army.mil 

# R esources

27A ssociation of State Wetland Managers P

.O. Box 269, 1434 Helderberg Trail Berne, NY 12023 (518) 872-2171 www.aswm.org

O cean Conservancy 1725 DeSales St., NW, Suite 600 W ashington, DC 20036 (202) 429-5609 www.oceanconservancy.org

D ucks Unlimited One Waterfowl Way M emphis, TN 38120 (901) 758-3825 www.ducks.org

F ishAmerica Foundation 1033 North Fairfax St., Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314 (202) 543-5509 www.fishamerica.org

I zaak Walton League of America Sa

ve Our Streams Program 707 Conservation Lane G aithersburg, MD 20878 (800) BUG-IWLA (284-4952) www.iwla.org

M arine Fish Conservation Network 660 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Suite 302B W ashington, D.C. 20003 202-543-5509 www.conservfish.org

National Audubon Society 666 Pennsylvania Ave., SE W ashington, DC 20003 (202) 547-9009 www.audubon.org

Pr oject WET (Water Education for Teachers) 201 Culbertson Hall M ontana State University P

.O. Box 170575 Bozeman, MT 59717-0575 (406) 994-5392 www.montana.edu/wwwater R estore America’s Estuaries www.estuaries.org

S ierra Club 730 Polk St. S an Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 977-5500 www.sierraclub.org
Society of Wetland Scientists PO Box 1897 Lawrence, KS 66044 (601) 634-2942 www.sws.org The Nature Conservancy 4245 North Fairfax Drive S uite 100 Arlington, VA 22203-1606 (800) 628-6860 www.tnc.org The Watercourse Program 201 Culbertson Hall M ontana State University P

.O. Box 170575 Bozeman, MT 59717-0575 (406) 994-5392 www.montana.edu/wwwater

Tr out Unlimited 1500 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22209-2404 (703) 522-0200 www.tu.gov

W ildlife Forever 10365 West 70th Street E den Praire, NM 55344 (952) 833-1522 www.wildlifeforever.com



### 28

## B ooks and Pamphlets

F isheries, Wetlands and Jobs: The Value of Wetlands to America’s Fisheries, 1998. 28-page report onthe economic importance of fisheries and the importance of wetlands to fish. Source: Clean Water Network, 1200 New York Ave., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 289-2395, cleanwaternt@igc.apc.org, ($5.00 or view on line at www.cwn.org).
The Economic Importance of Sport Fishing, 1996. This 10-page booklet provides economic data on sportfishing throughout the United States. Source: American Sportfishing Association, 1033 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 519-9691, info@asafishing.org, www.asafishing.org. (Free).

H andbook for Wetlands Conservation and S ustainability, 1998. This 288-page book provides information on wetland ecology, functions and values,and stewardship projects. Includes monitoring instructions and data forms for plants, soils, hydrology, wildlife, and human impacts to wetlands. Source: I zaak Walton League, 707 Conservation Lane, G aithersburg, MD 20878, (301) 548-0150; (800) B UG-IWLA (284-4952), www.iwla.org, ($38.50 plus shipping).

W etland Fact Sheets. Source: Environmental Protection Agency’s Wetlands Information Hotline, (800) 832-7828.



## P eriodicals

National Wetlands Newsletter . Focuses on researchand education about wetland policy, law, and management. Source: Environmental Law Institute, 1616 P S t., NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20036, (800) 433-5120, ($48 for 6 issues).

W etland Journal. Concentrates on wetland issues, education, restoration techniques, research, and horticulture. Source: Environmental Concern, Inc., P

.O. Box P, 210 W. Chew Ave., St. Michaels, MD 21663, (410) 745-9620, www.wetland.org, ($34 per year). 

## E ducational Materials

A

quatic Project Wild. Curriculum for K-12 with supplemental materials about wetlands and related topics. Source: Project WILD, 707 Conservation Lane, G aithersburg, MD 20878, (301) 527-8900, (price

v aries). D iscover Wetlands. W etland activities form a unit or are used with existing curricula. Source: Washington S tate Department of Ecology, Mail Stop PV-11, O lympia, WA, (206) 438-7538, ($11.50).

WO W! Wonders of Wetlands. K-12 curriculum withclassroom and outdoor activities. Source: Environmental Concern, Inc., P.O. Box P, 210 West Chew Ave., St. M ichaels, MD 21663, (410) 745-9620, www.wetland.org, ($30).

S tate Fish Art Project Lesson Plan: Something’s F ishy. Short curriculum on fish biology and ecology for grades 4-12. Illustrations and descriptions provided for state fish of each state. Instructions and entry form for state fish artwork and essay contest. Source: W ildlife Forever, 10365 West 70th Street, Eden P rairie, MN 55344, (612) 833-1522, www.wildlifeforever.org or www.statefishart.com. (Free).



## F ield Guides

A Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes: North America (Peterson Field Guides) , 1986. Houghton M ifflin Co. ISBN 0395975158.
A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes (Peterson F ield Guides) , 1983. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 061800212X.
A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, 1998. H oughton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395910919.



### 29

# Glossary

Anadromous: Describes fish that spend most of their lives in the sea and migrate to freshwater to spawn.

B og: W etland type that forms in old lake basins or depressions in the landscape and is characterized by acidic, nutrient poor, peat soils; typical vegetationincludes sphagnum moss, woody shrubs, and carnivorous plants.

B rackish: W ater containing some salt.

C atadromous: Describes fish that spend most of their lives in freshwater and migrate to saltwater to spawn.

C ienegas: Southwestern term for wetlands near rivers or fed by springs that are dominated by sedges and other herbaceous and woody wetland plants.

D etritus: D ead and decomposing plant and animal material.
Ecosystem: A community of plants and animals interacting with one another and with their physical environment. Endangered: As defined under the Federal Endangered Species Act, a species is considered endangered ifit is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Estuary: A semi-enclosed body of water with an open connection to the sea, where saltwater and freshwater mix.

F en: P eat-accumulating wetland fed by groundwater that forms at low points in the landscape or on slopes; water levels are fairly constant all year; dominated by soft-stemmed plants, such as grasses and sedges.

F infish: Fish with fins, gills, streamlined bodies, and no shells.

F ishery/Fisheries: The act, process, and industry of catching fish, crustaceans, mollusks, or other aquatic animals for commercial, recreational, subsistence or other purposes. F loodplain: The flat area of land adjacent to a stream that stores and dissipates floodwater.

Food web: E laborate, interconnected feeding relationship in an ecosystem.
Fry : A young, recently hatched fish.

M icrobes: Minute lifeforms such as bacteria.

P

eat: Partially decomposed plant matter.

P

eatlands: W etlands that accumulate peat.

P

ocosins: Evergreen shrub bogs found on the Coastal P lain of the southeastern United States, typically found on high areas of a flat, water-logged, acidic, and nutrient-poor landscape.

P rairie potholes: Marsh-like ponds that have formed in shallow basins caused by the retreat of glaciers in the northcentral United States and southcentral Canada; water levels fluctuate seasonally and they can be dry for several years.

S alinity : Measure of the salt content of water or other liquids.

S hellfish: Any aquatic animal that has a shell, such as crustaceans and mollusks.

S ubsistence fishery/fisheries: A fishery in which the harvested resource is used directly without sale for profit; not considered a leisure or sporting activity.

S pawn/Spawning: Process of releasing and fertilizing eggs.
Threatened: As defined under the Federal Endangered S pecies Act, a species is considered threatened if it is likely to become an endangered species.

T

idal: Pertaining to, affected by, or having tides.

W atershed: An area of land that drains to a particular body of water.

W etland: A vegetated ecosystem transitional between water and land that is covered with water or has very

w et soils for some part of the year.



### 30Ahle, R.C., 1995. Freshwater Wetlands: Their Valueto Fish and Fisheries Habitat, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

A

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### 31H erschner, C, 1990. Ecological Functions and Values of Nontidal Wetlands. Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

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R

ozas, L. P. and C.T. Hackney, 1983. The Importance of Oligohaline Estuarine Wetland Habitats to Fisheries R

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S heridan, P.F., 1992. Comparative Habitat Utilization by Estuarine Macrofauna Within the Mangrove E cosystem of Rookery Bay, Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 301(1):21-39.

S mith, C.L. and J. Gilden, 2000. Human and Habitat N eeds in Disaster Relief for Pacific Northwest Salmon F isheries. Fisheries 25(1):6-7.

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S tedman, S. and J. Hanson, 1997a, Wetlands, Fisheries and Economics in the Pacific Coastal States, Habitat Connections, 1:1, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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eal, J.M., 1986. The Ecology of Regularly Flooded S alt Marshes of New England: A Community Profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Thayer, G.W., D.R. Colby, and W.F. Hettler, Jr., 1987. U tilization of the Red Mangrove Prop Root Habitat by F ishes in South Florida. Marine Ecology Progress S eries, 35: 28-38, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Thayer, G.W., W.J. Kenworthy, and M.S. Fonseca, 1984. The Ecology of Eelgrass Meadows of the Atlantic Coast: A Community Profile, U.S. Fish and W ildlife Service.
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urner, R.E., 1992. Coastal Wetlands and Penaeid S hrimp Habitat, pp. 245-249 in Stroud, R. (ed.), S temming the Tide of Coastal Fish Habitat Loss, N ational Coalition for Marine Conservation. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1995. Wetlands V

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W eigert, R.G. and B.J. Freeman, 1990. Tidal Salt M arshes of the Southeast Atlantic Coast: A Community Profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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# A ppendix A Mo reFish Species Found in Wetlands 

# F or each wetland type discussed in “Which Fish Use My Wetlands?” there is a corresponding table that lists many of the fish that utilize that type. For each fish, the tables include interesting facts about its life history, unique value, regions of th e country where it is found, and ways it utilizes the specific wetland. This table divides the ways fish use wetlands into the following categories:

• Food - adults eat wetland plants or animals • Nursery juveniles grow into adulthood in the wetlands, eating plants or animals and finding refuge • Refuge - adults seek refuge in the wetland • Spawing - adults lay their eggs in the wetland. In some cases, these uses are clarified in the “Facts of Interest” column. For a description and map of the regions used in the tables, see the section titled “Which Fish Use My Wetlands.” Please note that many more species of fish use some of these wetland types than we have room to list in this document. 

## F ish Found in Seagrass Beds

American eel M igrate from freshwater to the saltwater of the Northeast; Food; Nursery; A nguilla rostrata S argasso Sea to spawn. Juveniles return to grow up Southeast Refuge in freshwater wetlands. American lobster Use two large front claws to catch and crush fish, Northeast; Food; Nursery; H

omarus americanus worms, crabs, and other food. Southeast Refuge A

tlantic croaker Fr equent seagrass beds when weather is warm to eat Northeast; Food; Nursery; M

icropogonias undulatus small shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and worms. Southeast; Refuge G ulf Coast A

tlantic herring These important commercial fish are eaten fresh, Northeast; Food; Nursery; Clupea harengus pickled, or smoked. Southeast Refuge A

tlantic stingray These small, tropical rays live in shallow coastal Southeast; Food Dasyatis sabina waters and eat small crustaceans and invertebrates Gulf Coast found in seagrass beds. A

tlantic thread herring F ilter plankton and eat small fish, crabs and shrimp. Northeast; Food; Nursery; Opisthonema oglinum S outheast; Refuge Bay scallop A ttach to seagrass blades as juveniles before Northeast; Food; Nursery A rgopecten irradians settling on the bottom. Southeast; Refuge G ulf Coast Spawning B lack sea bass Usually just called sea bass; also known in some Northeast; Food; Nursery Centropristis striata r egions as hannabill, black Harry, talywag, Southeast Refuge and black Will. Eat small fish and crustaceans.
B lue Crab Y oung crabs and molting adults depend on Northeast; Food; Nursery Callinectes sapidus seagrass deds and coastal marshes for food Southeast Refuge and refuge from pedators, Adult blue crab visit grassy, shallow bays to eat smaller crabs, clams, seaweed and dead fish. B lue fish F eed on smaller fish in eelgrass beds. Bluefish Northeast; Food; Nursery P

omatomus saltatrix travel in schools and prefer warm water. Southeast Polular sport fish.
B onefish F eed on crustaceans and worms in shallow Northeast; Nursery A lbula vulpes areas. Tails may break water surface while Southeast: they feed. Pacific Brown Shrimp S hrimp proudction has been linked to amount of Northeast; Food; Nursery; P

enaesus aztecus of wetlands acres and amount of edge between Southeast; Refuge

wetlands and open water. Gulf Coast 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

36C aliforina halibut P acific Food; Nursery Pa r alichtys R efuge californicus

C alifornia skate P acific Food; Nursery R

aja inornata R efuge
Chum salmon A dults live in saltwater but return to freshwater to Pacific; Alaska Food; Nursery Oncorhynchus keta r eproduce. Young salmon rest in seagrass they become adjusted to saltwater. D ungeness crab Larvae ride tidal currents to get from offshore Pacific; Alaska Nursery; Refuge Cancer magister to salt marshes and seagrass beds, where they grow to adulthood. Larvae also ride jellyfish to inshore waters. English sole Eat crustaceans, worms, and other small aquatic Pacific; Alaska Food; Nursery; P

leuronectes vetulus animals. Marketed as filet of sole. Refuge Gag Juv eniles live in estuaries and seagrass beds and Southeast Food; Nursery; My cteroperca eat crustaceans that live in grass beds. Adults Refuge microlepis are usuallyfound offshore or inshore on rocky or grassy bottoms. Gobies A diverse group of fish that feeds mostly on Northeast; Nursery; G

obiidae invertebrates or algae. Females lay eggs over Southeast Spawning

v egetation and males fertilize and guard eggs. Gray snapper S pend early life sheltered in mangrove swamps Southeast Food; Nursery; L utjanus griseus and seagrass beds. Refuge Gr unts M edium-size, perch-like sport fish that make Northeast; Food; Nursery H

aemulidae grunting sounds with teeth. Southeast Ha rd

clam Juv eniles attach to seagrass blades before settling Northeast; Food; Nursery; Me r cenaria mercenaria on the bottom. Adults burrow into bottom mud. Southeast Refuge Lingcod A dult lingcod feed and seek shelter in shallow, Pacific; Alaska Food Ophiodon elongatus inter-tidal areas of bays near seagrass beds. No r thern anchovy I mportant commercial fish and the main food Alaska Food; Nursery; E

ngraulis mordax source for many seabirds. Refuge; S pawning P acific angel shark P acific Food; Nursery; Squatina californica R efuge
P acific herring S pawning takes place in shallow shoreline Pacific Spawning Clupea pallasi wetlands close to vegetation. Fertilized eggs attach to marsh grasses, eelgrass, and algae.
P acific tomcod Eat shrimp, mussels, and other small fish. Adults Pacific Nursery M

icrogadus proximus frequent deep water while young stay in the shallows. Permit Bottom feeders that eat small fish and crustaceans. Northeast; Food; Nursery; Tr

achinotus falcatus F eed in seagrass beds at high tide. Popular sport fish. Southeast; Refuge G ulf Coast
P igfish Schooling fish that feed on crustaceans and Northeast; Food; Nursery; Orthopristis chrysoptera smaller fish, mainly at night. Southeast; Refuge G ulf Coast
P infish Can feed directly on seagrass blades. Southeast; Food; Nursery; Lagodon rhomboides G ulf Coast Refuge
P ink shrimp S hrimp production has been linked to amount Northeast; Food; Nursery; P

enaeus duorarum of wetland acres and amount of edge between Southeast; Refuge

wetlands and open water. Gulf Coast Q

ueen conch F eed on other invertebrates and directly on Southeast Food; Nursery St

rombos gigas seagrass blades. 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

37Rainbow Smelt S mall relative of trouts, rainbow smelt is often Northeast; Food; Nursery Osmerus mordax caught by ice fishing. Southeast; Refuge Gr eats Lakes

R

ed drum These commercial and recreational fish eat crabs Northeast; Food; Nursery Sciaenops ocellatus and shrimp that use seagrass beds. Southeast; Refuge G ulf Coast R

edfin parrotfish F eed on seagrass blades and animals that live on Southeast Food; Nursery S parisoma rubripinne the blades. Parrotfish are able to change sex. Scup Eat small fish, crustaceans, and sometimes Northeast; Food; Nursery; S

tenotomus chrysops seagrass blades. Southeast Refuge; S pawning
S ea bream Commonly found over mud bottoms in mangrove Southeast Food; Nursery; Ar chosargus rhomboidalis sloughs and on vegetated sand bottoms. Feed on Refuge small bivalves, crustaceans, and plant material. S heepshead F lat front teeth that protrude beyond the lips Southeast Food; Nursery; Ar chosargus probatocephalus make these fish look like sheep. Refuge
S hiner perch F ood; Nursery; C

ymatogaster aggregata R efuge
S ilver perch F ound in coastal waters over sandy and muddy Southeast Food; Nursery; Bairdiella chrysoura bottoms. Moves to wetland nursery and feeding Refuge areas in estuaries during summer.
S ilverstripe halfbeak R elated to the flying fish. Although they do not Northeast; Food; Nursery; H

yporhamphus unifasciatus glide through the air, they feed on the surface. Southeast; Refuge P acific S nook S taying close to shore, these sport fish eat Southeast; Nursery; Centropomidae crustaceans and small fish. Gulf Coast Spawning S pot P an-sized drum, popular with bridge and pier anglers. Northeast; Food; Nursery; Leiostomus xanthurus S outheast; Refuge G ulf Coast S potfin mojarra J aws extend into a short tube used to suck worms Gulf Coast Food; Nursery; E

ucinostomus argenteus and other invertebrates from the bottom. Refuge S potted seatrout Juveniles live in shallow, grassy areas including Northeast; Food; Nursery; C

ynoscion nebulosus seagrasses and salt marshes. Southeast; Refuge; G ulf Coast Spawning
S triped mullet Live over shallow, muddy bottoms and eat by Northeast; Food; Nursery; M

ugil cephalus scooping mouthfuls of mud and digesting tiny Southeast; Refuge plants as the mud passes through the gut. Pacific; G ulf Coast S triped seaperch Often living and feeding in coastal wetlands, perch Pacific Food; Nursery; E

mbiotoca lateralis r ear their young among aquatic vegetation. Refuge Southern puffer Eat crustaceans and other fish and prefer protected Northeast; Food S phoeroides nephelus coastal waters. Southeast; G ulf Coast Southern stingray B urrow in sand during the day and forage in Southeast; Food Dasyatis americana seagrass beds at night. Eat bivalves, worms, crabs, Gulf Coast shrimp, and small fish.
S ummer flounder Juveniles and adults live in the creeks within salt Northeast; Food; Nursery; Pa r alichthys dentatus marshes and seagrass beds. Southeast Refuge Su rf smelt I mportant food for larger sport fish. Young live Pacific; Alaska Food; Refuge H

ypomesus pretiosus offshore and adults move back inshore to feed among seagrass beds. 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

38T arpon Pr efer warm, shallow water. Can survive at low Southeast; Nursery M

egalops atlanticus o xygen levels. Feed at night on small fish Gulf Coast
crustaceans.
T

autog This sport fish has strong jaws and sturdy teeth Northeast; Food; Nursery T autoga to eat barnacles and mussels. Southeast Refuge; S pawning
T

opsmelt Common in bays, muddy and rocky areas, and Pacific; Alaska Food; Refuge A therinops affinis kelp beds. Adults feed on small animals suspended in water. W

eakfish Juv eniles live in shallow, grassy areas including Northeast; Food; Nursery; C

ynoscion regalis seagrasses and salt marshes. Southeast; Refuge G ulf Coast W inter flounder Usually spend winters burrowed in the mud and Northeast; Food; Nursery; P

leuronectes americanus are more active in the spring and fall. Southeast Refuge



## F ish Found in Salt Marshes

Alewife Adults live in saltwater and migrate to freshwater Northeast Nursery A losa pseudoharengus streams to spawn in wetlands and quiet waters. Eat shrimp and small fish. Arrow goby F eed mostly on invertebrates or algae. Females lay Pacific Nursery Clevelandia ios eggs over vegetation and males fertilize and guard eggs.
A

tlantic croaker V isit salt marshes when weather is warm to eat Southeast Nursery M

icropogonias undulatus small shrimp, crabs, mollusks and worms.
A

tlantic menhaden S upport a large fishing industry and are used for Northeast; Nursery Brevoortia tyrannus fish meal and oil. Southeast
A

tlantic silverside Eat shrimp, squid, and marine worms. Eaten by Northeast; Food; Nursery; M

enidia menidia striped bass and trout. Southeast Refuge; S pawning Bay anchovy Mo re commonly found in shallow tidal wetlands Northeast; Nursery A nchoa mitchilli with muddy bottoms with salty to fresh water. Southeast; G ulf Coast Bay scallop Attach to salt marsh blades as juveniles before Southeast Nursery A rgopecten irradians settling on the bottom.
B lue crab Y oung crabs and molting adults depend on seagrass Southeast; Nursery; Refuge Callinectes sapidus beds and coastal marshes for food and refuge from Gulf Coast predators.
B luefish F eed on smaller fish in eelgrass beds. Bluefish Northeast Spawning P

omatomus saltatrix travel in schools and prefer warm water. Popular sport fish. Brown shrimp S hrimp production has been linked to amount of Southeast; Nursery; Refuge P

enaeus aztecus wetland and amount of edge between wetland and Gulf Coast open water. C alifornia mussel S hould not be eaten if they are in polluted waters Northeast; Nursery M

ytilus californianus because filter feeders concentrate pollutants in their Southeast; 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

Fish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

39Coho salmon Born in freshwater, juveniles spend time in salt Pacific; Nursery; Refuge O ncorhynchus kisutch marshes to adjust to saltwater before entering the Alaska open ocean. Chinook salmon Juv eniles spend up to six months in salt marshes Pacific; Food; Nursery; O ncorhynchus tshawytscha to feed and adjust to saltwater before entering Alaska Refuge the ocean. D aggerblade grass shrimp Are eaten by many marine sport and commercial fish. Northeast; Food; Nursery; P

alaemonetes pugio S outheast; Refuge G ulf Coast D iamond killifish I mportant prey for larger fish that live in salt Southeast; Food; Nursery A dinia xenica marshes and mangroves. Gulf Coast Refuge D ungeness crab Larvae hitchhike on jellyfish or ride tidal currents Pacific; Nursery C

ancer magister to get from spawning grounds to salt marshes and Alaska seagrass beds, where they settle among vegetation to grow to adulthood. Eastern oyster F ilter feeders with two hard shells for protection. Southeast Food; Nursery; Cr

assostrea virginica Pr oduce pearls when a grain of sand or tiny irritant Spawning is lodged in the body because oysters coat the irritant with layers of calcium carbonate. Leopard shark Eat crabs, shrimp, other fish, and fish eggs. These Pacific Food T

riakis semifasciata commercial and sport fish are sold fresh and frozen.
Mummichog Live in saltwater marshes and tidal creeks. Northeast Food; Refuge F

undulus heteroclitus Can breathe air when out of water. No r thern anchovy Eat small crustaceans and fish larvae and in turn are Pacific Food; Refuge E

ngraulis mordax important food source for larger fish and birds. M ulti-million dollar commercial fishery developed after the decline of Pacific sardine fishery in the 1940s. Pacific herring S pawn in salt marsh vegetation. Fertilized eggs Pacific Nursery; Clupea pallasi attach to marsh grasses, eelgrass, and algae. Spawning
Pacific staghorn sculpin S mall, smooth, largeheaded fish that are very Pacific Nursery Leptocottus armatus sensitive to pollution.
P ink shrimp S hrimp production has been linked to amount Southeast; Nursery; Refuge P

enaeus duorarum of wetland and amount of edge between wetland Gulf Coast and open water.
R

ed drum Live in marshes during a few months in the Northeast; Nursery Sciaenops ocellatus summer to take advantage of abundant food Southeast and warmth. S altmarsh topminnow I mportant prey for larger fish. Loss of salt marsh Gulf Coast Food; Nursery; F

undulus jenkinsi habitat may lead to future listing as endangered. Refuge; S pawning S and seatrout Pr efer shallow, grassy areas including seagrasses Southeast Nursery; C

ynoscion arenarius and salt marshes. Eat grass shrimp and small fish. Spawning
S ilver perch F ound in coastal waters over sandy and muddy Northeast; Nursery B

airdiella chrysoura bottoms. Move to wetland nursery and feeding Southeast areas in estuaries during summer. S ilverstripe halfbeak F eed on small fish and invertebrates in salt Northeast; Food H

yporhamphus unifasciatus marshes during high tide. Southeast; P acific S pot Juv eniles often stay in the estuarine wetlands Northeast; Nursery Leiostomus xanthurus throughout the year, eating worms, small crustaceans, Southeast and organic detritus. 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

40S potfin mojarra Live in marshes during a few months in the Northeast; Nursery E

ucinostomus argenteus summer to take advantage of abundant food Southeast and warmth. S tarry flounder W ill change coloration to blend in with the bottom. Gulf Coast; Nursery P

latichthys stellatus P acific
S triped bass Popular commercial and sport fish that live in Northeast; Food; Nursery; Mo r one saxatilis coastal waters and bays, but may enter rivers in Southeast; Spawning the spring to spawn. Gulf Coast; P acific S triped killifish I mportant prey for larger sport fish. Northeast Food F

undulus majali
S triped mullet Live over shallow, muddy bottoms. Scoop Southeast Nursery M

ugil cephalus mouthfuls of mud and digest tiny plants as the mud passes through the gut. Threespine stickleback I nhabit vegetated areas, usually over mud or sand. Northeast; Nursery G

asterosteus aculeatus Eat worms, crustaceans, aquatic insects, drowned Southeast; aerial insects, and small fish; has also been reported Pacific to eat their own young.
T

opsmelt Bottom grazing fish that can withstand high salinity. Pacific Nursery Atherinops affinis White perch G ame fish that lives in brackish coastal waters. Northeast; Nursery Mo r one americana S outheast White shrimp S hrimp production has been linked to amount of Southeast; Nursery; Refuge P

enaeus sertiferus wetland and amount of edge between wetland and Gulf Coast open water. W inter flounder Also called halibut, flatfish and blackback. Northeast; Spawning P

leuronectes americanu s Usually spend winters burrowed in the mud. Southeast



## F ish Found in Mangrove Wetlands

American eel M igrate from freshwater to the saltwater Sargasso Sea Southeast Food; Refuge A nguilla rostrata to spawn. Juveniles return to grow up in freshwater

wetlands. Atlantic stingray These small, tropical rays live in shallow coastal Southeast; Food Dasyatis sabina waters and eat small crustaceans and invertebrates Gulf Coast found in mangroves. Common snook S taying close to shore, these sport fish eat Southeast Nursery Centropomus undecimalis crustaceans and small fish. Crabs S oil and roots provide detritus for food and habitat. Southeast Food; Refuge Ar

atus spp., Callinectes spp Aratus is able to climb mangrove trees. Dwarf herring S wims in schools. Important food for many larger Southeast Food; Refuge J

enkinsia lamprotaenia fish and squids. Dwarf seahorse F ound in mangroves, seagrasses, and floating Southeast Food; Refuge H

ippocampus zosterae v egetation. Eastern oyster F ilter feeders with two hard shells for protection. Southeast Food; Cr

assostrea virginic a Oysters attach themselves to the bottom and Spawning
cannot move. 

## Fish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

41Goldspotted killifish I mportant food for larger fish. Some commercial uses. Southeast Food; Refuge F

loridichthys carpio
G

ray Snapper Commercially and recreationally important fish. Southeast Food; Nursery L utjanus griseus Juveniles seek shelter in mangrove swamps and seagrass beds. Ladyfish S pawn in the open sea, but juveniles seek refuge Southeast Nursery E

lops sauru s and food in mangroves.
M angrove rivulus Live in salt marshes and mangroves, sometimes Southeast Food; Refuge Rivulus marmoratus seek shelter in crab burrows. Can survive at low

o xygen levels. May be listed as endangered in the future. Mussels W etland plants and detritus are food and habitat Southeast Food; Refuge Brachiodontes spp. for these filter feeders.
R

ed drum These commercially and recreationally important Southeast Food; Nursery S

iaenops ocellatus bottom feeders eat crabs and shrimp.
R

edear sardine Ma r keted fresh or canned. Southeast Food; Refuge Ha r engula humeralis
S ailfin molly Live in ponds, lakes, sloughs, coastal waters, Northeast; Food; Refuge P

oecilia latipinna and quiet, vegetated backwaters of streams. Southeast Eat mostly algae.
S heepshead F lat front teeth protrude beyond the lips making these Southeast Food; Nursery Ar chosargus probatocephalus fish look like sheep. Eat small fish and other animals that eat wetland detritus.
S hrimp I mportant commercial and recreational fishery, Southeast; Food; Nursery; P

enaeus spp. especially in the Gulf Coast. Young shrimp migrate Gulf Coast Refuge to estuarine wetlands and live on the bottom where they find food and refuge from predators.
S ilver jenny Pr efer shallow waters, especially mangrove-lined Southeast Refuge E

ucinostomus gula lagoons or creeks. Marketed fresh.
S potfin mojarra J aws extend to form a short tube used to suck Southeast Food; Refuge E

ucinostomus argenteus worms and other invertebrates from the bottom.
S potted seatrout These popular recreational and commercial Southeast Food; Nursery C

ynoscion nebulosus fish prefer shallow, vegetated areas.
S triped anchovy Commonly found in shallow tidal wetlands with Southeast; Food; Refuge A nchoa hepsetus muddy bottoms with salty to fresh water. Gulf Coast
T

arpon Pr efer warm shallow waters and can survive at Southeast Nursery M

egalops atlanticus . l ow oxygen levels. Feed at night on small fish and crustaceans.



## F ish Found in Tidal Freshwater Marshes

Alligator gar Use swim bladders to gulp surface air when oxygen Northeast; Food; Nursery; Lepisosteus spatula in water is low. Can live in drying pools and Southeast Spawning out of water, if moist, for 24 hours. Spawn in shallows among wetland plants. American eel M igrate from freshwater to the saltwater Sargasso Sea Northeast; Food; Nursery; A nguilla rostrata to spawn. Adults die after spawning, and juveniles Southeast Refuge

r eturn to grow up in freshwater wetlands. 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

42A tlantic croaker Fr equent shallow water wetlands when weather is Northeast; Nursery M

icropogonias undulatus warm. Eat small shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and worms. Southeast; G ulf Coast
A

tlantic menhaden S upport a large fishing industry and are used Northeast; Nursery Brevoortia tyrannus for fish meal and oil. Southeast Banded killifish Bait for sport fishing; food for larger commercial Southeast Food; F

undulus diaphanus or sport fish and wading birds. Spawning Bay anchovy M arshes provide food for juveniles and adults in Northeast; Food; Nursery; A nchoa mitchilli the spring, refuge for adults in winter, and a Southeast; Refuge nursery in summer. Gulf Coast
B lack crappie M ales build nests in shallow marshes. Southeast; Food; Nursery P

omoxis nigromaculatus Gr eat Lakes P acific
B lack drum Juv eniles use estuarine wetlands. Eat crustaceans, Northeast; Nursery P

ogonias cromis mollusks, and fish. Southeast

B lueback herring R eturn to the streams where they were hatched to Northeast; Nursery A losa aestivalis spawn. Juveniles stay in wetland nurseries until Southeast the fall, when they move out to sea.
B luegill Live in shallow water marshes. Males create nests Southeast; Food; Nursery Lepomis macrochirus for eggs and protect eggs until they hatch. Great Lakes
Bowfin Pr efer dense vegetation and clear water within Northeast; Food; Nursery A mia calva marshes, swamps, and sluggish creeks. Build nests Southeast in wetland vegetation.
Brown shrimp I mportant commercial and recreational fishery, Northeast; Nursery P

enaeus aztecus especially in the Gulf Coast. Young shrimp migrate Southeast; to estuarine wetlands and live on the bottom Gulf Coast where they find food and refuge. Chain pickerel H ide among aquatic plants and logs and wait Northeast; Food; Nursery; Es ox niger for prey to approach. Eggs are scattered in Southeast; Spawning wetland plants. Gulf Coast Channel catfish Often served in supermarkets and restaurants. Great Lakes Food I ctalurus punctatus Locate plant seeds, insects, crawfish, fish, and other prey on the bottom through smell and touch. Common snook S taying close to shore, these sport fish eat Gulf Coast Nursery Centropomus undecimalis crustaceans and small fish. Eastern mosquitofish Originally from the southeast United States, these Throughout U.S. F ood; Nursery; G

ambusia holbrooki eat mosquitos. Can survive in stagnant waters Refuge; that mosquitos prefer. Also eat the young Spawning of native fish. Eastern silvery minnow Lay eggs over vegetation in quiet backwaters about Northeast; Food; Nursery; H

ybognathus regius six inches deep. Southeast Refuge; S pawning
H ogchoker I mportant food for larger fish. Northeast; Nursery; Refuge T

rinectes maculatus S outheast Largemouth bass P opular sport fish. Males create nests and guard Southeast; Food; Nursery M

icropterus salmoides eggs. Adults eat other fish, frogs, ducklings, Great Lakes and small mammals.
Mummichog Bait for sport fishing and food for larger fish Northeast; Food; F

undulus heteroclitus and wading birds. Southeast Spawning



## Fish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

43P acific lamprey M igrate from open ocean to freshwater tidal Pacific Spawning Lampetra tridentata marshes and pools to spawn. Parasitic adults attach to other fish or whales to draw blood and other fluids for food.
P acific salmon Juv eniles seek refuge in tidal freshwater marshes Pacific; Nursery; Oncorhynchus spp. before travelling to the open ocean as adults. Alaska Refuge
P ink shrimp I mportant commercial and recreational fishery, Northeast: Nursery P

enaeus duorarum especially in the Gulf Coast. Young shrimp migrate Southeast; Gulf Coast to estuarine wetlands and live on the bottom where they find food and refuge.
S ilver perch Use marshes as nursery and feeding areas in Southeast Nursery Bairdiella chrysoura estuaries during summer. Eat crustaceans, worms and fish. S pot P an-sized drum that are popular with bridge Northeast; Nursery Leiostomus xanthurus and pier anglers. Southeast; G ulf Coast S pottail shiner O ften sold as bait fish, many shiners prefer slow, Northeast: Food; Nursery; N

otropis hudsonius vegetated waters of ponds, swamps, and marshes. Southeast Refuge; S pawning S potted seatrout These popular recreational and commercial fish Southeast Nursery C

ynoscion nebulosus prefer shallow, grassy areas including freshwater marshes. S triped bass S pend their whole lives in the estuary, but migrate Northeast; Food; Nursery Mo r one saxatilis to freshwater to spawn. Recent declines have led Southeast; to restrictions on commercial and recreational fishing. Gulf Coast; W

as successfully introduced into the western U.S. Pacific
S turgeon E ggs are prized as caviar. Sturgeon are migratory Northeast; Nursery; A cipenser spp

. and are among the largest freshwater fish. Southeast; Spawning White sturgeon on the West Coast can be as long Pacific as 4 meters. S ummer flounder S old fresh and frozen. Exported fresh to Japan Northeast; Nursery Pa r alichthys dentatus for sashimi. Southeast
T

arpon Pr efer warm, shallow waters and can survive at Gulf Coast Nursery M

egalops atlanticus low oxygen levels. Feed at night on small fish and crustaceans.
Wa rmouth Popular sport fish. Eat other fish, crawfish and insects. Southeast; Food; Nursery Lepomis gulosus M ales built nests and guard eggs until they hatch. Great Lakes Pr efer thick aquatic vegetation. White shrimp I mportant commercial and recreational fishery, Northeast; Nursery P

enaeus sertiferus especially in the Gulf Coast. Young shrimp migrate Southeast; to estuarine wetlands and live on the bottom Gulf Coast where they find food and refuge.



## F ish Found in Non-tidal Freshwater Marsh

B lack bullhead Commercial and game fish that live in ponds, Great Lakes Food A meiurus melas marshes, and backwaters. Eat insects and - Big Rivers crustaceans when young. Adults eat clams, snails, plant material and fish. 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

44B lack crappie Build nests in shallow wetlands near vegetation. Northeast; Food; Nursery P

omoxis nigromaculatus F emales can lay up to 188,000 eggs. Southeast; Gr eat Lakes
B luegill Live in shallow water marshes and fens among Northeast; Food; Lepomis macrochirus wetland plants. Males create nests for eggs and Southeast; Nursery protect eggs until they hatch. Brook silverside Leap to catch food, avoid predators and in spawning Great Lakes - Spawning Labidesthes sicculus rituals. Eggs are fertilized within the female’s body, Gulf Coast then released onto vegetation. Brook Trout P opular sport fish that prefer small streams, ponds, Northeast Food S

alvelinus fontinalis and fens. Brown bullhead F ound in marshy areas of slow moving creeks, Northeast; Food; Nursery; A meiurus nebulosus lakes, and ponds. Pairs prepare nests under Southeast; Spawning the cover of vegetation. Great Lakes Brown Trout Lives in small creeks, rivers, lakes, and fens. Northeast; Food S

almo trutt Channel catfish Often the catfish found at supermarkets and Throughout U.S. F ood I ctalurus punctatus r estaurants. Locates plant seeds, insects, crawfish, fish, and other prey through smell and touch. Common carp Undesirable nuisance species whose introduction into Throughout U.S. F ood; Nursery; C

yprinus carpio this country from Asia was an ecological and Spawning commercial blunder. While searching for food, carp rip up aquatic vegetation and muddy the water, making conditions less desirable for native fish.
H errings R eturn to the streams where they were hatched Northeast; Nursery Clupeidae to spawn. Juveniles stay in wetland nurseries until Southeast; the fall, when they move out to sea. Great Lakes Killifish F ound in fens and other wetland habitats, these Throughout U.S. F ood; Refuge C

yprinodontidae important bait fish are food for larger fish. Largemouth bass M ales create nests and guard eggs. Adults eat other Northeast; Food; Nursery M

icropterus salmoides fish, frogs, ducklings, and small mammals. Southeast; Gr eat Lakes
M innows M innows are important food to larger fish. Used Great Lakes Food; Refuge C

yprinidae by anglers as bait and in laboratory bioassays to test pollution levels of industrial discharge.
Muskellunge Often found in heavily vegetated areas of lakes Throughout U.S. F ood; Es ox masquinongy and large rivers. Scatter eggs near aquatic vegetation. Spawning
No r thern Pike S pawn in shallow, vegetated areas where they are Throughout U.S. F ood; Es ox lucius most vulnerable to being caught. Spawning
P umpkinseed Thrive in farm ponds and within marsh plants along Great Lakes Food; Nursery; Lepomis gibbosus the edges of larger ponds and lakes. Breed in shallow Spawning water and eat insects, snails, clams, and small fish. S mallmouth bass These popular sport fish can be found in fens and Throughout U.S . F ood M

icropterus dolomieu other non-tidal freshwater marshes.
S potted gar Rare fish that live in quiet, clear pools, marshes, and Great Lakes Food; Nursery; Lepisosteus oculatus backwaters. Eat a variety of fish and crustaceans. Gulf Coast Spawning

W

alleye Ve ry sensitive to pollution. Visit marshes during Northeast; Food S

tizostedion vitreum cooler parts of the year and at night to feed, but Great Lakes move to deeper water when warm. White bass Can be found in shallow and deep portions of lakes. Great Lakes Food; Mo rone chrysops Br oadcast eggs in shallow water. Important Gulf Coast Spawning commercial and sport fish. 

## Fish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

45White crappie Pr efer aquatic vegetation and woody debris for cover. Great Lakes Food; P

omoxis annularis Eat small fish, insects, and crustaceans. Spawning
Y

ellow bullhead Eat plant matter, crayfish, aquatic insects, mollusks, Northeast; Food; Nursery; A meiurus natalis and fish. Males and females make nests in wetland Southeast; Spawning plants. Great Lakes
Y

ellow perch T olerant of acidic water. Eggs produced in long, Northeast; Food; Pe r ca flavescens sticky strings that stick to marsh plants or settle Southeast; Spawning to the bottom. Great Lakes



## F ish Found in Forested Wetlands

Alewife Commercially important fish that migrate up Northeast; Spawning A losa pseudoharengus rivers and small streams to spawn in quiet streamside Great Lakes forests and other wetlands. American eel M igrates thousands of miles from freshwater to Eastern Food A nguilla rostrata the deep, saltwater Sargasso Sea to spawn. Region
A

tlantic needlefish Eat small fish and take advantage of food sources Northeast; Food St

rongylura marina on forested floodplains. Southeast; G ulf Coast
B lack crappie B uild nests near vegetation in pocosins and other Northeast; Nursery; P

omoxis nigromaculatus wetlands. Males build nests and guard eggs. Southeast; Spawning Gr eat Lakes
B luegill Live in shallow water marshes among wetland plants Northeast;. Nursery; Lepomis macrochirus M ales create nests for eggs and protect them Southeast; Spawning until they hatch. Great Lakes
Bo wfin M ales prepare nests among swamp plants, tearing Eastern U.S. Nursery; A mia calva out vegetation and making a trench among roots. Spawning Fr y attach to vegetation for a week with an adhesive organ on the snout. Chain pickerel Pr efer cover of aquatic plants and debris, especially Northeast; Food; Nursery; Es ox niger in stream-side swamps. Lie in wait for prey in Southeast; Spawning

vegetation. Spawn over vegetation and are Gulf Coast

well-adapted to the acidic water of pocosins. Channel catfish Bottom feeders that use long whiskers on their Throughout U.S. N ursery; Lctalurus punctatus snouts for finding prey and recognizing mates. Spawning
Chinook salmon Y oung salmon grow stronger on abundant food Pacific; Alaska Nursery Oncorhynchus tshawytscha r esources in protected floodplain wetlands. S ome species seek refuge in backwaters from fast water of winter floods. Crawfish In floodplains of streams, crawfish burrow into the Southeast; Nursery; Pr

ocambarus spp. mud to reach subsurface water. They emerge during Gulf Coast Spawning floods to take advantage of abundant food resources.
Da r ters Live in clear, swift-moving rivers and may use Northeast; Nursery; E

theostoma spp. forested river-side wetlands for spawning and Southeast; Spawning nursery areas. Gulf Coast Eastern mosquitofish I ntroduced throughout the country to eat mosquitos. Throughout U.S . N ursery; G

ambusia holbrooki Su r vives in stagnant waters that mosquitos prefer. Spawning



## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

46Eastern mudminnow Live in quiet streams, sloughs, swamps, and other Northeast; Food; Nursery; U

mbra pygmaea wetlands. Found most often among dense vegetation. Southeast Refuge Eat insect larvae and worms.
F lier Pr efer warm waters with plants, such as swamps Southeast; Nursery; Centrarchus macropterus and pocosins. Males build nests and guard the eggs. Gulf Coast Spawning Eat insects and crustaceans. Fr eshwater drum These sport fish feed on insects, crayfish and fish. Great Lakes Nursery; A

plodinotus grunniens F eed in wetlands at night. Males make drumming Gulf Coast Spawning sounds during reproduction.
Gars Air bladder can be used to breathe oxygen from Southeast; Nursery; Lepisosteus spp. the air. This allows gars to take advantage of food Gulf Coast Spawning and protection from predators in stagnant backwaters with low oxygen levels.
Gizzard shad Y oung shad are important food for game fish, but Northeast; Nursery; Dorosoma cepedianum as they grow they compete with these fish for space, Southeast Spawning and can become a nuisance.
H ickory shad A dults return to the streams where they were Southeast; Nursery; A losa mediocris hatched to spawn. Juveniles stay in wetland Great Lakes Spawning nurseries until the fall, when they move out to sea.
Killifish I mportant bait fish and food for larger fish, killifish Southeast; Food; Nursery; C

yprinodontidae can withstand wide fluctuations in temperature Gulf Coast Refuge; and oxygen. Also are useful for mosquito control. Spawning Lake chubsucker S pawn over vegetation. Young travel in schools with Southeast Food; E

rimyzon sucetta juvenile largemouth bass and other fish. Spawning Largemouth bass Popular sport fish. Males create nests and guard eggs. Throughout U.S. N ursery; M

icropterus salmoides A dults eat other fish, frogs, ducklings and small Spawning mammals.
P addlefish S train small organisms out of the water. Great Lakes Nursery P

olyodon spathula Commercially important, particularly the Gulf Coast eggs which are used for caviar.
P irate perch Pr efersswamps, backwaters, creeks, and other areas Southeast; Food; Nursery; A

phredoderus sayanus with slow water, soft bottoms, and aquatic vegetation. Gulf Coast; Refuge; H ide in vegetation during the day and emerge at Great Lakes Spawning night to feed on insects and crustaceans. Can survive low oxygen.
R

edfin pickerel Pr efer backwater ponds, pocosins, and flooded Southeast Food; Nursery; Es ox americanus americanus swamps. Eats small fish, frogs and invertebrates. Spawning Use wetland vegetation to lie in wait for prey and to lay eggs. Sh ov elnose sturgeon Live in bottom of stream channels and in pools and Great Lakes; Food; Nursery Scaphirhynchus platorynchus backwater wetlands of large, slow-moving rivers. Southwest Are endangered.
S uckers S uckers are specialized to suck and scrape algae, Gulf Coast Nursery; Catostomidae invertebrates, and detritus from the bottom. Spawning Wa rmouth Popular sport fish. Males built nests and guard eggs Southeast; Nursery; Lepmois gulosus until they hatch. Prefer thick aquatic vegetation in Gulf Coast Spawning slow streams, ponds, lakes and pocosins. White bass S pawn by broadcasting eggs in shallow water that Great Lakes; Nursery; Mo r one chrysops settle on the bottom. Important commercial and Gulf Coast Spawning
Y

ellow bass G ame fish that live in ponds, lakes and backwaters Great Lakes; Nursery; Mo r one mississippiensis of small to large rivers. Southeast; Spawning S outhwest 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use

47

### 48 Y

ellow bullhead Eat plant matter, crayfish, aquatic insects, mullusks, Southeast; Nursery; A meiruss natalis and fish. Make nest among plants, logs or roots. Gulf Coast Spawning
Y

ellow perch T olerant of acidic waters and found in pocosins. Southeast Food; Nursery; Pe r ca flavescens Lay eggs in aquatic vegetation and eat small fish, Refuge; inscets, crayfish and other inverebrates living in Spawning forested wetlands. 

## F ish Species Interesting Facts Regions Use