| Polyodon spathula |
| Paddlefish |
Key Characteristics
Paddlefish are unique fish with a long paddle-shaped snout that is about 1/3 the length of the body. These fish have small eyes, numerous slender gill rakers, a large tapering operculum flap that extends to the pelvic fins, and a deeply forked abbreviate heterocercal caudal fin. This is one of the largest freshwater fish attaining a size of over 2.2 m.
Status and Rank
- State Status: X - Presumed extirpated (legally 'threatened' if rediscovered)
- State Rank: SX - Presumed extirpated
- Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure
Occurrences
No known occurrences in Michigan
Updated 05/08/2013. Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
In Michigan, paddlefish occurred in slower-moving waters of river side channels, in protected bays, and eddies of tailwaters below dams. Spawning occurs on shallow gravel bars.
Natural Community Types
- Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), pool
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), pool
- River (5th-6th order), pool
- Inland lake, pelagic, midwater
Management
Many factors caused the extirpation of paddlefish in Michigan, including over fishing, habitat inundation, channelization, dams, and flow alterations. This species is particularly susceptible to over harvest due to their predictable spawning runs in the tailwaters below dams. Increased pollution and siltation are also substantial threats affecting paddlefish populations.
Active Period
Spawning from third week of April to fourth week of May
Survey Methods
Species are highly mobile and make extensive movements within a system (Jennings 2000).
- Seines
- Survey Period: From first week of May to first week of September
- Gill net
- Survey Period: From first week of May to first week of September
- Trammel net
- Survey Period: From first week of May to first week of September
Page Citation
References
Survey References
- Murphy, B.R. and D.W. Willis, eds. 1996. Fisheries Techniques, 2nd ed. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda. 732pp.
Technical References
- Bailey, R.M., W.C. Latta, and G.R. Smith. 2004. An Atlas of Michigan Fishes. Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, No. 192, Ann Arbor. 215p.
- Hubbs, C.L. and K.F. Lagler. 2004. Fishes of the Great Lakes region, revised edition. Rev.ed. G.R. Smith. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor MI. 276pp.
- Jennings, C.A. and S.J. Zigler. 2000. Ecology and biology of paddlefish in North America: historical perspectives, management approaches, and research priorities. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 10: 167-181.
- NatureServe. 2005. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 4.5. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer.
- Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bulletin 184, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ottawa. 966pp.
- Smith, P.W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Carbondale. Bulletin No. 28. 298 pp.