Iowa Fish Atlas

Native: Yes

State Rank: S4

ITIS Code: 163518          

National Rank: N5           

Global Rank: G5

Modeled By: Anna Loan-Wilsey

State Range:

The bullhead minnow is found in the natural lakes and major interior rivers of the Mississippi River drainage including the Cedar, Des Moines, Iowa,  Maquoketa, Raccoon, and Wapsipinicon rivers (Harlan et al. 1987).  It is also found throughout the Mississippi River, being one of the most abundant species in the river (Becker 1983).  The bullhead minnow is most abundant in the central portions of the Des Moines River (Harlan et al. 1987).

Habitat Affinities:

The bullhead minnow inhabits the main channels of large streams (Cross and Collins 1995; Harlan et al. 1987). It avoids upland streams and strong current but is tolerant of turbidity and siltation (Pflieger 1997; Robison and Buchanan 1988; Trautman 1981). It is successful in larger bodies of relatively stagnant water (Clay 1975) with little or no rooted aquatic vegetation and silt-covered gravel, sand or deep mud substrates (Etnier and Starnes 1993; Trautman 1981). In Missouri, the largest populations are found in large, sparsely vegetated ditches and streams with substrates of sand or silt (Pflieger 1997).

Predictive Model(s):

Statewide Model: by 8-digit HU [Decision Tree Analysis n=113]

The distribution is based upon existing collection records and professional review.

(("LINKR" <= 1 AND "DSIZE_CODE" > 3) OR

(("LINKR" > 2 AND "LINKR" <= 3) AND "DSIZE_CODE" <= 3 AND "SOIL_TEXT"

> 8) OR

(("LINKR" > 2 AND "LINKR" <= 3) AND "DSIZE_CODE" > 3) OR

(("LINKR" > 4 AND "LINKR" <= 5) AND ("DLINKR" > 7 AND "DLINKR" <= 8))

OR

 "LINKR" > 5)

Mississippi River Model:

The distribution is based upon existing collection records and professional review.

 ("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S19')

Overall Prediction:

(("LINKR" <= 1 AND "DSIZE_CODE" > 3) OR

( ("LINKR" > 2 AND "LINKR" <= 3) AND "DSIZE_CODE" <= 3 AND "SOIL_TEXT" > 8) OR (( "LINKR" > 2 AND "LINKR" <= 3) AND "DSIZE_CODE" > 3) OR

(( "LINKR" > 4 AND "LINKR" <= 5) AND ("DLINKR" > 7 AND "DLINKR" <= 8)) OR "LINKR" > 5) OR ("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S19')

Literature Cited:

Becker, G.C.  1983.  Fishes of Wisconsin.  University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1052 pp.

Clay, W.M.  1975.  The fishes of Kentucky.  Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, Kentucky.  416 pp.

Cross, F.B., and J.T. Collins.  1995.  Fishes in Kansas.  University of Kansas Natural History Museum, Public Education Series No. 14, Lawrence, Kansas.   315 pp.

Etnier, D.A., and W.E. Starnes.  1993.  The fishes of Tennessee.  University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee.  681 pp.

Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew.  1987.  Iowa fish and fishing. Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa. 323pp.

Pflieger, W.L.  1997.  The fishes of Missouri.  Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.  372 pp.

Robison, H.W., and T.M. Buchanan. 1988.  Fishes of Arkansas.  University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  536 pp.

Trautman, M.B.  1981.  The fishes of Ohio.  Revised Edition.  Ohio State University Press in collaboration with the Ohio Sea Grant Program Center for Lake Erie Area Research,  Columbus, Ohio.  782 pp.

Data Sources:

Call, R.E.  1890.  The fishes of the Des Moines basin. Iowa Academy of Sciences 1 pt.2

(1890, 1891):43-56.

Cleary, R.E.  1950.  Forage fish abundance and distribution in N.E. Iowa.  Quarterly

Biology Reports 2(1):18-26.

Decorah Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Decorah, Iowa.

Dowell, V.  1981.  Collections in Cedar River Basin, 1956-1981.  University of Northern

Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Ecological Analysts, Inc.  1983.  Operational ecological study in the Cedar River near

Duane Arnold Energy Center, January through December 1983.  EA Report IEL21.  Iowa Electrical Light and Power Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Ecological Analysts, Inc.  1984.  Operational ecological study in the Cedar River near

Duane Arnold Energy Center, January through December 1983.  EA Report IEL31.  Iowa Electrical Light and Power Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Evermann, B.W., and U.O. Cox.  1896.  A report upon the fishes of the Missouri River

basin.  Report of United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries 20(1894):325-429.

Fairport Fish Management and Hatchery.  2003.  Field notes and unpublished reports.

Southeast Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Fairport, Iowa.

Gelwicks, G., J. Heitke, and G. Simmons.  2002.  Contemporary fish survey. Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, Manchester, Iowa.

Gritters. S.A., and L.M. Mauldin.  1993.  The status of the weed shiner (Notropis

texanus) in Pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River System.  EMTC 93- S007.  Environmental Management Technical Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Guttenberg Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Guttenberg, Iowa.

Harrison, H.M.  1950.  Biological report on Prairie Creek, Webster County. Unpublished

report.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Harrison, H.M.  1951.  General survey of the Des Moines River below Des Moines.

Quarterly Biology Reports 3(3):32-45.

Helms, D.R.  2000.  Addendum to fish and mussel surveys for the Hwy 1 corridor

between Iowa City and Mt. Vernon, Iowa (Cedar River and Rapid Creek).  Jacobs & Associates, Ames, Iowa.

Iowa Conservation Commission and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  2002. 

Miscellaneous field notes from fish surveys, 1942, 1961, 1964, 1991.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

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Jones, D.T.  1928.  Fish collected in the vicinity of Vinton, Iowa.  Proceedings of the

Iowa Academy of Sciences 35:327-331.

Jordan, D.S., and S.E. Meek.  1885.  List of fishes collected in Iowa and Missouri in

August, 1884, with descriptions of three new species.  Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum 8(1):1-17.

King, L.R., and K.D. Carlander.  1976.  A study of the effects of stream channelization

and bank stabilization on warmwater sport fish in Iowa: Subproject No. 3.  Some effects of short-reach stream channelization on fishes and fish food organisms in central Iowa warm water streams.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract 14-16-0008-745.  Iowa Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Ames, Iowa.

Kline, D., J. Golden, and M. Wade.  1975.  Mississippi River fishery classification

survey.  Project 75-III-C-116.  Job Completion Reports.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Lake Darling Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Southeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Brighton, Iowa.  

Lake Darling Fish Management.  2002.  Fish kill data.  Southeast Management District,

Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Brighton, Iowa.     

Lake MacBride Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports. 

Southeast Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Solon, Iowa.

Long Term Resource Monitoring Program.  2002.   Pool 13 database, 1990-2001.  Upper

Midwest Environmental Science Center, Bellevue, Iowa.

Manchester Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Manchester, Iowa.

McDonald, D.B.  1972.  Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar River baseline ecological

study.  Annual Report, April 28, 1971 to April 24, 1972.  D.B. McDonald Research Inc, Iowa City, Iowa.

McDonald, D.B.  1975.  Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar River operational

ecological study.  Annual report, January 14, 1974 to December 31, 1974. D.B. McDonald Research Inc, Iowa City, Iowa.

McDonald, D.B.  1980.  Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar River operational

ecological study.  Annual Report, January 1979 through December 1979. D.B. McDonald Research Inc, Iowa City, Iowa.

McDonald, D.B. 1981.  Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar River operational ecological

study.  Annual Report, January 1980 through December 1980.  D.B. McDonald Research Inc, Iowa City, Iowa.

McDonald, D.B.  1982.  Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar River operational

ecological study.  Annual Report, January 1981 through December 1981.  D.B. McDonald Research Inc, Iowa City, Iowa.

McDonald, D.B.  1983.  Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar River operational

ecological study.  Annual Report, January 1982 through December 1982. D.B. McDonald Research Inc, Iowa City, Iowa.

Meek, S.E.  1892.  Report upon the fishes of Iowa, based upon observations and

collections mad during 1889, 1890, 1891.  Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. 10(1890):217-248.

Menzel, B.W.  1983.  Field notes: northeast.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Des Moines-Skunk.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Iowa-Cedar.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  2000.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey, 2000 in-channel collections. 

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Museum of Zoology.  2002.  Division of Fishes collection database.  University of

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/. (May 2002)

Nord, R.C.  1967.  A compendium of fishery information on the Upper Mississippi River.

Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois. 238 pp. 

Olson, J.R. 1998.  Historic fish survey database.  Water Quality Bureau, Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Page, L.M.  1982.  Field notes attached to letter addressed to Bruce Menzel, dated June

28, 1982.  State Natural History Survey Division, Section of Fauntistic Surveys and Insect Identification, Champaign, Illinois.

Paragamian, V.L.  1990.  Fish populations of Iowa rivers and streams.  Technical Bulletin

No. 3.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Smith, P.W,. and A.C. Lopinot.  1966.  The 1966 survey of fishes from the mouths of

Mississippi River tributaries, Appendix B, pp.226-233, Illinois State Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois.

Spirit Lake Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northwest

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Orleans, Iowa.

Sullivan, D.J.  2000.  Fish communities and their relation to environmental factors in the

Eastern Iowa Basins in Iowa and Minnesota, 1996.  Water-Resources Investigations Report 00-4194, United States Geological Survey, Iowa City, Iowa.

UMRCC.  1953.  Revised species list- northern section of the river.  Pages 19-32 in

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting, Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

UMRCC.  1964.  Proceedings of the twentieth annual meeting, January 7, 1964.  Upper

Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

Van Vooren, A.  1981.  Relative utilization of Mississippi River habitats as fish nursery

areas.  Project 81-III-C-11.  Job Completion Reports.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Wenke, T.L.  1965.  Some ecological relationships of mayflies, caddisflies, and fish in

the Mississippi River near Keokuk, Iowa.  Ph.D. dissertation.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Wilton, T., K. Krier, and J. Mootz.  2003.  Stream Biological Assessment Database.

Environmental Services Division, Water Quality Bureau, TMDL and Water Quality Assessment Section, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Additional References:

Cross, F.B.  1967.  Handbook of fishes of Kansas.  University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Miscellaneous Publication  No. 45, Lawrence, Kansas.  357 pp.

Douglas, N.H.  1974.  Freshwater fishes of Louisiana.  Claitor’s Publishing Division, Sponsored by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  443 pp.

Echelle, A.A., and G.D. Schnell.  1976.  Factor analysis of species associations among fishes of the Kiamichi River, Oklahoma.  Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 105(1):17-31.

Eddy, S., and J.C. Underhill.  1974.  Northern fishes; with special reference to the upper Mississippi Valley.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  414 pp.

Kelly, G., editor.  1986.  Animal habitat relations handbook.  Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Jefferson City, Missouri.  293 pp.

Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr.  1980.  Atlas of North American freshwater fishes.  North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North Carolina.  867 pp.

Li, Y., and J.R. Gold.  1991.  Cytogenetic studies in North American minnows (Cyprinidae): XXII. Chromosomal nucleolar organizer regions in the genus Pimephales.  Canadian Journal of Zoology 69:2826-2830.

Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr.  1991.  A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico.  Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 432 pp.

Parker, H.L.  1964.  Natural history of Pimephales vigilax (Cyprinidae).  Southwestern Naturalist 8(4):228-235.

Pflieger, W.L.  1971.  A distributional study of Missouri fishes.  University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History  20(3):225-570.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989a.  Aquatic community classification system for Missouri.  Missouri Department of Conservation.  Jefferson City, Missouri.  Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 pp. plus Supplement.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989b.  The stream resources of Missouri.  D-J Project - F-1-R-28.  Study S-20.  Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, Missouri.  

Phillips, G.L., W.D. Schmid, and J.C. Underhill.  1982.  Fishes of the Minnesota region.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  248 pp.

Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott.  1991.  Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada.  American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20, Bethesda, Maryland. 183 pp.

Sheehan, R.J., W.M. Lewis, and  L.R. Bodensteiner.  1990.  Winter habitat requirements and overwintering of riverine fishes.  Southern Illinois Fisheries Research Laboratory, Carbondale, Illinois.  D-J Project F-79-R, Study 101.  234 pp.

Smith, P.W.  1979.  The fishes of Illinois.  University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Illinois.  314 pp.

Starrett, W.C.  1951.  Some factors affecting the abundance of minnows in the Des Moines River, Iowa.  Ecology 32(1):13-27.

Sublette, J.E., M.D Hatch, and M. Sublette.  1990.  The fishes of New Mexico.  University New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  393 pp.

Thom, R.H., and J.H. Wilson.  1980.  The natural divisions of Missouri.  Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science  14:9-24.

Tibbs, J.E.  1995.  Habitat use by small fishes in the lower Mississippi River related to foraging by least terns, Sterna altillarum.  Master’s thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.  184 pp.

Photo Credits:

Upper Left:       Photo courtesy of Konrad P. Schmidt, copyright Konrad P. Schmidt.

Upper Right:     Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Center for Limnology.  http://limnology.wisc.edu