THE FISHES OF TIPPECANOE COUNTY, INDIANA.

ABSTRACT: The fish fauna of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, has been well documented historically. However, a county-wide survey had not been conducted since the mid-1970's. Between June and December 1994, seventy sites were sampled in Tippecanoe County to determine the current distribution of fish species. Ninety-seven species were collected, of which 13 (Lepisosteus oculatus, Dorosorma petenense, Umbra limi, Erimystax dissimilis, Macrlhybopsis storeriana, Notropis wickliff, Phoxinus erythrogaster, Noturus eleutherus, Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis, Lepomis microlophus, Percina phoxocephala, P. sciera, and P. shumnardi) were new county records. Many of the new species, including U. limi, E. dissimilis, M. storeriana, P. phoxocephala, and P. sciera, were collected at several sites during the present survey. Etheostoma camurum, a state endangered species which had not been recorded in the County since 1942, was once again collected. Cyprinella whipplei, Pimephales vigilax, Cycleptus elongatus, and Micropterus punctulatuls, historically uncommon species, have expanded their ranges in the County since the previous survey. Twelve fish species historically recorded from the County were not collected in 1994; notably absent was Ammocrypta pellucida, a state species of special concern, which had been collected during all three previous surveys. The total number of fish species recorded from Tippecanoe County is now 109.

KEYWORDS: Fish distribution, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Wabash River.

INTRODUCTION

Historical Tippecanoe County Fish Surveys. Distribution records for Tippecanoe County fishes have been compiled on a fairly regular basis. The initial ichthyofaunal picture of Tippecanoe County was provided by Gerking (1945), who collected fish from 412 sites across Indiana between 1940 and 1943 and compiled all the other historical records known at that time. In 1942, Gerking recorded 45 species from four sites (one each from Wea Creek, South Fork Wildcat Creek, Wildcat Creek, and the Wabash River) within Tippecanoe County. Compilation of the historical records revealed two additional species: the river redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum; Cope, 1871) and the harelip sucker (Lagochila lacera; Evermann and Jenkins, 1892). The initial species count for Tippecanoe County was 47.

Erman and Mumford (unpublished data) periodically collected fish from Tippecanoe County between 1958 and 1965. Although their specific collecting locations were not recorded, species lists for nine major tributaries in Tippecanoe County were compiled. Erman and Mumford recorded 20 new species from the County, bringing the historical total to 67.

Curry and Spacie (1978) compiled species lists for 39 sites in the County after collecting from the Wabash River annually between 1971 and 1977 and from most of the other major drainages in the County between 1974 and 1977. Curry and Spacie (1978) also included work by Lehman (1974), who collected from Wea Creek, and Gorman (1978), who studied the fishes of Indian Creek. Altogether, 86 species were identified from Tippecanoe County, including 28 new species. If the hornyhead chub (Nocomis biguttatus), which was collected by Lehman (1974) but was left off the list of Curry and Spacie (1978), is included, the total species known from Tippecanoe County reached 96.

Physical Description of Tippecanoe County. Tippecanoe County is located in west-central Indiana and covers an area of approximately 504 mi [2]. The Wabash River is the dominant watershed, entering from the northeast corner of Tippecanoe County and exiting near the middle of the western boundary, almost bisecting the County in half (Figure 1). The Wabash River drains approximately 4,375 mi [2] as it enters Tippecanoe County. Its drainage area nearly doubles by the time it leaves the County after the addition of the Tippecanoe River (1,950 mi [2]), Wildcat Creek (805 mi [2]), and several smaller watersheds (Hoggatt, 1975).

Tributaries of the Wabash River include the Tippecanoe River, Burnett's Creek, and Indian Creek from the north and Sugar Creek, Buck Creek, Wildcat Creek, and Wea Creek from the south. Moot's Creek is the only major direct tributary to the Tippecanoe River located in the County. The upper portions of the Flint Creek, Big Shawnee Creek, and Little Pine Creek watersheds are also within Tippecanoe County but enter the Wabash River further downstream in Warren and Fountain Counties. Tippecanoe County contains the urban areas of West Lafayette and Lafayette, both centrally located, to the west and east of the Wabash River, respectively.

Objectives. Since almost two decades had elapsed since the last county wide survey had been completed, we felt it was appropriate to resample the fishes of Tippecanoe County. The objectives of our present survey were to: 1) determine the current composition and distribution of fish species inhabiting the flowing waters of Tippecanoe County; 2) use replicable methods to establish baseline, site specific, fish community data with which future sampling efforts can be compared; and 3) compare the current Tippecanoe County fish community with that found in past surveys.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fish were collected from 70 sites in Tippecanoe County between June and December 1994 (Figure 1; Table 1). The original intent of the project was to resample the 39 sites where species lists were compiled by Curry and Spacie (1978). As the survey progressed, however, we realized that the distribution records for Tippecanoe County fishes would be incomplete without including sites from the Tippecanoe River, Bowen's Ditch, Lauramie Creek, Big Shawnee Creek, Flint Run, Otterbein Ditch, and Bridge Creek, sites which had not been sampled during any of the previous surveys. Additional sites were also strategically selected from other drainages where gaps in distributional information existed.

A variety of methods were utilized during the survey, including backpack (Smith-Root, Type VII), long-line, and boat (Smith-Root, Type VI-A) electrofishing techniques, seining, and a combination of backpack electrofishing and kick-seining. Each site was first sampled using one of the three electrofishing methods. The exact distance and time sampled were recorded at each site so that collection effort could be duplicated in future studies. One-thousand-meter reaches were sampled with two boat electrofishing passes at all Wabash River sites. Collection effort at non-Wabash River sites was determined by the unique habitats that existed at each of these sites. Generally, two riffle-run-pool sequences were sampled, if present. Otherwise, the sites were sampled until new species were no longer being collected.

After a standard electrofishing pass was completed at each site, additional sampling methods were employed if the site characteristics warranted them. The additional methods included seining at most sites and backpack electrofishing or a combination of backpack electrofishing and kick-seining at some boat sites. The combination of backpack electrofishing and kick-seining was particularly useful at some of the Wabash River and Tippecanoe River sites. Using this method, one person would securely position a large dip net or small seine on the bottom of the river. Another person, using backpack electrofishing equipment, would walk slowly downstream towards the netter while kicking the substrate. This technique was very effective in collecting darter and madtom species from rocky run and riffle stretches of the Wabash and Tippecanoe Rivers, which could not be adequately sampled using more conventional methods.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

New Species Collected During 1994. Thirteen of the 97 fish species collected from Tippecanoe County during 1994 (Table 2) were new records for the County and included the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), central mudminnow (Umbra limi), streamline chub (Erimystax dissimilis), silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana), channel shiner (Notropis wickliffi), southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster), mountain madtom (Noturus eleutherus), hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis), redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), slenderhead darter (Percina phox ocephala), dusky darter (P. sciera), and river darter (P. shumardi). Most species were recorded from more than one site, and several were fairly common. The dusky darter was collected from 18 of the 70 sites; the streamline chub, central mudminnow, and slenderhead darter at five; and the silver chub at four sites. The abundance of the dusky darter during the present survey suggests that this species may have been misidentified during previous surveys. Curry and Spacie (1978) did not list the dusky darter, but they recorded the blackside darter from three sites in the Wildcat Creek drainage. In the present survey, the black side darter was not recorded from the Wildcat Creek drainage, but the dusky darter was collected from eight of twelve sites, including two of the three sites where the blackside darter had previously been recorded. Voucher specimens were not available for re-examination to verify this possible misidentification.

The streamline chub, slenderhead darter, river darter, and mountain madtom were collected almost exclusively from rocky runs of the Tippecanoe and/or Wabash Rivers, where they were often locally abundant. Their dependence on this habitat limited their distribution. These species were most easily captured using the combination of backpack electrofishing and kick-seining. The only specimens of the mountain madtom were collected using this combination. These species were probably not collected during previous sampling efforts because their preferred habitats were inadequately sampled or, in the case of the Tippecanoe River, not sampled at all.

A thriving population of the central mudminnow was also found in a rather unique habitat. The central mudminnow was one of the most abundant, by number, of all the species found in an oxbow-like side channel near the mouth of Wea Creek. This refuge holds a seed population from which the species disperses to surrounding areas, as the central mudminnow was also collected from three of the four closest sites sampled on Wea Creek.

The silver chub was only collected from Wabash River sites and at the mouth of the Tippecanoe River. Specimens collected during the present survey were quite distinct and, if present during past surveys, would probably not have been overlooked. Gammon (1995b) has reported collecting silver chub in Tippecanoe County since the mid-1970's. The species' current presence in the County may be a result of the natural extension of its range upstream on the Wabash River over the last twenty years.

The channel shiner was recently recognized as a species distinct from the mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus; Gong and Cavender, 1991). During Gerking's (1945) survey, three mimic shiner subspecies were recognized: the northern mimic shiner (Notropis v. volucellus), channel mimic shiner (N. v. wickliffi), and ghost mimic shiner (N. v. buchanani). Unfortunately, the distributions of these three subspecies were not separated out when the mimic shiner's distribution was mapped. The channel shiner may have been present in Tippecanoe County when Gerking (1945) and Curry and Spacie (1978) collected, as both recorded the mimic shiner.

Other new additions to the County's species list were collected more rarely during the present survey. The southern redbelly dace was collected from two sites, both on Sugar Creek, a small tributary in the northeastern section of the County. The absence of this species from previous surveys could be the result of its limited range, or its current presence could be the result of human introduction and/or natural movements. The hybrid striped bass now occurs in the County as a result of stockings in the reservoirs upstream from Tippecanoe County on the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers. Single specimens of spotted gar, threadfin shad, and redear sunfish were collected during the present survey. If they inhabited the County during past surveys, they must have been rare.

Historically Uncommon Species Collected During 1994. The spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus), and bluebreast darter (Etheostoma camurum) were collected during the current survey and were also recorded by Gerking (1945) or by Erman and Mumford (unpublished data). However, these species were not collected by Curry and Spacie (1978). The spotted bass was very common during the present survey. This species was collected from 29 of the 70 sites sampled and had been reported by both Gerking (1945) and Erman and Mumford (unpublished data). The spotted bass was probably misidentified as the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) by Curry and Spacie (1978). The tadpole madtom was reported by Erman and Mumford (unpublished data) from a single location on Little Pine Creek. During the present survey, a single specimen was collected from Sugar Creek. This species was probably present in Tippecanoe County when Curry and Spacie (1978) sampled, but it was rare. The blue-breast darter was last recorded by Gerking (1945), who collected it from the South Fork of Wildcat Creek. The only specimens of the blue breast darter collected during the entire study were captured from a rocky run on the Wabash River using the combination of backpack electrofishing and kick seining. This habitat may have been inadequately sampled in the past.

Historic Species Not Collected During 1994. The American eel (Anguilla rostrata), northern pike (Esox lucius), black buffalo (Ictiobus niger), burbot (Lota Iota), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) were recorded by Curry and Spacie (1978) but were not collected during the current survey. These species were probably never common in Tippecanoe County, as none were recorded from more than three sites by Curry and Spacie (1978). Only one specimen of the northern pike was collected during seven years of sampling from the Wabash River. Each Wabash River site was visited only once during the present survey. Curry and Spacie (1978) also employed techniques (hoop and D-nets) that we did not use. They state that the burbot, although rare, was occasionally collected during spring D-net sampling. These species could still persist in low numbers in Tippecanoe County, but, because each site was sampled only once, and certain species-specific methods were not employed, they were not recorded in 1994.

Of the six species, only the yellow perch and eastern sand darter were also recorded by either Gerking (1945) or Erman and Mumford (unpublished data). The absence of the eastern sand darter, a state species of special concern, was the most discouraging, as this species had been recorded during all three previ ous surveys. Mumford (pers. comm.), who observed the eastern sand darter at the mouth of Wildcat Creek for many years, expressed concern that the popula tion had recently become extirpated. He has not recorded a specimen from the site for several years. Further collecting effort should be expended to confirm the extirpation of the eastern sand darter from the County.

Six species reported by either Gerking (1945) or Erman and Mumford (unpublished data) were not found by Curry and Spacie (1978) or during our survey: the bigmouth shiner (Notropis dorsalis), pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emil-iae), harelip sucker, warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), least darter (Etheostoma microperca), and channel darter (Percina copelandi). Inclusion of the harelip sucker (now extinct) in the County list is questionable. Evermann and Jenkins (1892) examined specimens of this species from the "Tippecanoe River, west of Delphi," and they were told that it also occurred in the Wabash River. Whether the harelip sucker ever inhabited Tippecanoe County is questionable. Inclusion of the channel darter is also questionable since the dot on the Wabash River in Tippecanoe County on Gerking's (1945) distribution map is contradicted by the accompanying text which states that the species was only found in Fountain and Warren Counties. Even if Gerking (1945) was in error, the sites listed in the text are relatively close to Tippecanoe County. Recent evidence suggests that the channel darter may still occur here. Carney, et al. (1993) recorded the species from the Tippecanoe River in Carroll County, just upstream from the Tippecanoe County Line, and Page (1983) recorded the channel darter from two sites on the Wabash River just upstream from Tippecanoe County.

The pugnose minnow was reported by both Gerking (1945) and Erman and Mumford (unpublished data) but has not been reported since. The warmouth, least darter, and bigmouth shiner have only been reported by Erman and Mum ford (unpublished data). The warmouth was collected from a pond at the Pur-due-Baker Wildlife Area, where the species may have been introduced (Erman and Mumford, unpublished data). Since Erman and Mumford's collections, this pond has been drained several times. Therefore, the continued existence of the warmouth at this location seems highly unlikely. However, this and other pond habitats, where the warmouth is more likely to occur, were not sampled during the present survey, and the current status of this species is unknown. Erman and Mumford (unpublished data) recorded the least darter and big mouth shiner only once from Moot's and Sugar Creeks, respectively. The big mouth shiner has only been recorded at two other sites in Indiana and may have been misidentified by Erman and Mumford (unpublished data). Voucher specimens could not be located to confirm the identification of the least darter and bigmouth shiner. If these two species still occur in Tippecanoe County, they must be extremely rare.

Fish Community Composition in 1994. Several species were very common in the Wabash River tributaries during the present survey. Seventeen species were collected from at least 50% of the 59 non-Wabash sites sampled (Table 3). The bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus), central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum), and creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) were all collected at more than 75% of the sites. Several species, although not common in the tributaries, were very common in the Wabash River (Table 3). Ten species were found at all eleven Wabash River sites, and seven others were collected from ten sites. Thirty species had distributions limited to the Wabash River, Tippecanoe River, or the mouth of Wildcat Creek (16 total sites). Of these species, the shov elnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus), mooneye (Hiodon tergisus), gravel chub (Erimystax x-punctata), speckled chub (Extrarius aestivalis), bull head minnow (Pimephales vigilax), blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus), small mouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus), sauger (Stizostedion canadense), walleye (S. vitreum), and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) were collected from six or more of the 16 sites. The American brook lamprey (Lampetra appendix), central mudminnow, grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), redfinshiner (Lythrurus umbratilis), hornyhead chub, creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus), black bullhead (Ameiurus melas), tadpole madtom, blackstripe topminnow (Fundulus notatus), and redear sunfish were never collected from the Wabash or Tippecanoe Rivers. Eight species were collected from only one site during the present survey: paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), spotted gar, threadfin shad, Mississippi silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis), tadpole madtom, brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus), redear sunfish, and bluebreast darter.

Of the 70 sites sampled, site 10 (Wabash River at the mouth of the Tippeca noe River) was the most diverse with 49 species collected. More than 40 species were collected from seven of the eleven Wabash River sites; the Wabash River sites averaged 40 species. The most diverse fish community of the non-Wabash River sites was found at site 65 on the Tippecanoe River, where 37 species were collected. Thirty or more species were collected from eight Wabash tributary sites: Wea Creek (site 26), Wildcat Creek (46), North Fork Wildcat Creek (49), South Fork Wildcat Creek (51), the Tippecanoe River (62 and 65), and Moot's Creek (67 and 68). Generally, species diversity increased with increasing drainage area. Utilizing a variety of collection methods was very beneficial in increasing the number of species that were collected from each site. Seining at smaller stream sites almost always resulted in the discovery of at least one or two additional species, even after extensive electrofishing had been completed. At boat electrofishing sites, additional collection methods yielded, on the average, ten additional species per site.

Although specific comparisons of species distribution and abundance can not be made between Curry and Spacie (1978) and our survey, some general trends are evident. Besides the spotted bass and dusky darter, which have already been discussed, other species have seemingly increased their range and abundance in the County since the 1970's (Table 4). During the present survey, the bullhead minnow and steelcolor shiner (Cyprinella whipplei) were both collected from ten of eleven Wabash River sites, and the blue sucker was collected from eight. Curry and Spacie (1978) did not record the bullhead minnow or steelcol or shiner from any of their nine Wabash River sites, and they collected the blue sucker from only one. Both the bullhead minnow and steelcolor shiner may have been misidentified by Curry and Spacie (1978). If so, the perceived increase in abundance is merely a reflection of this error. However, the blue sucker could hardly be misidentified. Curry and Spacie (1978) "sighted one blue sucker while electrofishing in the Wabash River...." during seven years of collecting. During the current survey, this species was collected from eight of eleven Wabash River sites. The results of this survey and those of Gammon (1993, 1995a) demonstrate the remarkable recovery this species has made over the past twenty years. The increase in the blue sucker was one of several signs that the Wabash River may be supporting a much more abundant and diverse fish community than it did two decades ago.

Hypothetical Species. Several species have never been recorded from within Tippecanoe County but may now occur (or may soon occur) there. The Tippecanoe darter (Etheostoma tippecanoe) has been collected from the Tippecanoe River just upstream from the County Line (Ecological Specialist, Inc., 1993; Simon, unpublished data). If more sites had been sampled within Tippecanoe County on the Tippecanoe River, this species may well have been discovered. The western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), a species widely stocked for mosquito control, has probably been introduced into some small ponds or wetland areas in the County. It will only be a matter of time before this species is found in the streams and rivers of the County. The goldfish (Carassius auratus) probably occurs in the County but remains rare. Records for other exotics, such as the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and bighead carp (Hypopthalmichthys nobilis), have been on the rise across Indiana in the last few years and will probably be reported from Tippecanoe County in the near future.

Conclusions. Some may question the usefulness of collecting fish from with in political boundaries because fish do not recognize county lines. However, studying the fauna of a region containing several different watersheds can pro vide important information about the statewide distribution of certain fish species. As noted in the present survey, several new species now occur in Tippecanoe County, possibly as the result of range extensions, either by natural or anthropogenic means. Also, the ranges of rarer species can be better defined as the result of intensive collecting in a region of the State rather than in only one watershed. Important information about the current distribution of the bluebreast darter (state endangered), blue sucker, river redhorse, and eastern sand darter (all state species of special concern) was provided by the present survey.

Ninety-seven species of fish, of which 13 were new county records, were collected from 70 sites sampled in Tippecanoe County during 1994; 12 species recorded during previous surveys were not collected. The addition of several new species and the range extension and increased abundance of several others suggest that the water quality, especially of the Wabash River, has improved over the last two decades in Tippecanoe County. Tippecanoe County has and continues to support a diverse fish community (109 species of fish have now been recorded). The methods by which the present survey were conducted have successfully provided baseline data to which future surveys can be significantly and accurately compared. The authors of this study hope to continue their investigation of Tippecanoe County fishes into the 21st Century.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to express their appreciation to John Stanley and Dave Caylor who volunteered their time to help net fish from the Wabash River. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funded a portion of this study, no Agency endorsement should be inferred.

ADDENDUM 

Several new species have been collected from Tippecanoe County since the initial survey was completed in 1994. The bighead carp (1997) and grass carp (1998) were both caught by local anglers from a pond connected to the Wabash River at site 7 (Dave Kellam, pers. comm.). The pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) was collected by the authors during sampling in 1996 at site 65 on the Tippecanoe River, and western mosquitofish was collected during 1998 between sites 36 and 37 on the Wabash River. The addition of these four species brings the known total recorded from Tippecanoe County to 113.

LITERATURE CITED 

Carney, D.A., L.M. Page, and T.M. Keevin. 1993. Fishes of the Tippecanoe River, Indiana: An outstanding Midwesten stream. Proc. Indiana Acad. Sci. 101: 201-219.

Cope, E.D. 1871. A partial synopsis of the fishes of the fresh waters of North Carolina. Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. 11: 448-495.

Curry, K.D. and A. Spacie. 1978. Distribution of stream fishes in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Proc. Indiana Acad. Sci. 37: 182-188.

Ecological Specialists, Inc. 1993. Mussel habitat suitability and impact analysis of the Tippecanoe River. Final Rep. Nongame Endangered Wildl. Prog., Div. Fish Wildl., Indiana Dep. Natur. Res., Indianapolis, Indi ana, 102 pp.

Evermann, B.M. and O.P. Jenkins. 1892. Notes on Indiana fishes. Rep. State Fish Comm. 1892: 108-127.

Gammon, J.R. 1993. The Wabash River: Progress and promise. In: L.W. Hesse, C.B. Stalnaker, N.G. Benson, and J.R. Zuboy (Eds.), Restoration Planning for the Rivers of the Mississippi River Ecosystem, pp. 142-161, Biol. Rep. 19, Nat. Biol. Surv., U.S. Dep. Interior, Washington, D.C.

_____. 1995a. Environmental assessment and fish populations of the Wabash River and its tributaries. Natur. Areas J. 5: 259-266.

_____. 1995b. The Wabash River ecosystem, II. Final Rep. for PSI-Energy and Eli Lilly and Company, Plainfield and Indianapolis, Indiana, 235 pp.

Gerking, S.D. 1945. The distribution of the fishes of Indiana. Invest. Indiana Lakes Streams 3(1): 1-137.

Gong, L. and T.M. Cavender. 1991. Systematics of Notropis volucellus and Notropis wickliffi (Cyprinidae: Pisces) from Ohio waters. Ohio J. Sci. 91(2): 23 (abstr).

Gorman, O.T. and J.R. Karr. 1978. Habitat structure and stream fish communities. Ecology 59(3): 507-515.

Hoggatt, R.E. 1975. Drainage areas of Indiana streams. U.S. Dep. Interior, Geol. Surv., Water Res. Div., Indianapolis, Indiana, 231 pp.

Lehman, L.L. 1974. Some effects of PL 566 small watershed project on fish populations and selected water quality variables within and below a channelized area. M.S. Thesis, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 115 pp.

Page, L.M. 1983. Handbook of darters. TFH Publ., Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey, 271 pp.

Site locations (C&S = Curry and Spacie, 1978).
The single, solid lines separate sites by watershed.
Site  C&S  Location
 1    39   Wabash River at Collier's Island
 2    38   Wabash River at Goose Island
 3    37   Wabash River at the mouth of
           Jordan Creek
 4    36   Wabash River at the mouth of
           Wea Creek
 5    35   Wabash River at Lafayette Sewage
           Treatment Plant
 6    34   Wabash River at West Lafayette
           Sewage Treatment Plant
 7    33   Wabash River at Mascouten Park
 8    --   Wabash River at Heron Island
 9    --   Wabash River at the U.S. 65 bridge
 10   32   Wabash River at the mouth of
           the Tippecanoe River
 11   31   Wabash River at the Americus bridge
 12   --   Big Shawnee Creek at State Road 25
 13   25   Little Pine Creek at
           County Line Road
 14   --   Little Pine Creek at State Road 26
 15   --   Little Pine Creek at County
           Road 800 West
 16   24   Little Pine Creek at U.S. 52
 17   --   Little Pine Creek at County
           Road 500 North
 18   --   Otterbein Ditch at County
           Road 500 North
 19    2   Flint Creek at Turner Road
           (Burnett's Reserve)
 20    1   Flint Creek at County Road
           510 South (Burnett's Reserve)
 21   --   Flint Run at County Road 600 South
 22   28   Indian Creek at Division Road
 23   27   Indian Creek at the mouth
           of Goose Creek
 24   26   Indian Creek at County
           Road 400 West
 25   --   Indian Creek at County
           Road 600 North
 26   --   Wea Creek at Eli Lilly Road
 27   --   Wea Creek at State Road 25
 28    9   Wea Creek at the mouth of
           Little Wea Creek
 29    8   Wea Creek at County Road 200 East
 30    7   Wea Creek at County Road 800 South
 31    6   Wea Creek at County Road 100 East
 32    5   Wea Creek at State Road 43/U.S. 231
 33    4   Kellerman Learning Ditch at
           State Road 28
 34    3   Loafland Ditch at County
           Road 1200 South
 35   --   Wea Creek side channel at
           Eli Lilly Road
 36   14   Little Wea Creek at its mouth
 37   --   Little Wea Creek at County
           Road 500 South
 38   13   Little Wea Creek at County
           Road 800 South
 39   12   Montgomery Ditch at County
           Road 950 South
 40   11   Montgomery Ditch at State Road 28
 41   10   Kenny Ditch at County Road 250 East
 42   29   Burnett's Creek at Burnett's Road
 43   --   Burnett's Creek at State Road
           225 (Battle Ground)
 44   --   Burnett's Creek at County
           Road 650 North
 45   --   North Fork Burnett's Creek at
           County Road 650 North
Site  Map Section
 1    Sec. 3 and 10, T22N, R6W
 2    Sec. 26, T23N, R6W
 3    Sec. 28, T23N, R5W
 4    Sec. 35, T23N, R5W
 5    Sec. 31, T23N, R4W
      Sec. 36, T23N, R5W
 6    Sec. 20 and 29, T23N, R4W
 7    Sec. 17, T23N, R4W
 8    Sec. 4, T23N, R4W
      Sec. 33, T24N, R4W
 9    Sec. 2 and 3, T23N, R4W
 10   Sec. 20, T24N, R3W
 11   Sec. 9 and 16, T24N, R3W
 12   Sec. 26, T21N, R6W
 13   Sec. 22, T23N, R6W
 14   Sec. 14, T23N, R6W
 15   Sec. 1, T23N, R6W
 16   Sec. 36, T24N, R6W
 17   Sec. 30, T24N, R5W
 18   Sec. 34, T24N, R6W
 19   Sec. 1, T22N, R6W
 20   Sec. 4, T22N, R6W
 21   Sec. 19 and 30, T22N, R5W
 22   Sec. 24, T23N, R6W
 23   Sec. 18, T23N, R5W
 24   Sec. 4, T23N, R5W
 25   Sec. 23, T24N, R5W
 26   Sec. 2, T22N, R5W
 27   Sec. 1, T22N, R5W
 28   Sec. 12, T22N, R5W
 29   Sec. 22, T22N, R4W
 30   Sec. 35, T22N, R4W
      Sec. 2, T21N, R4W
 31   Sec. 9, T21N, R4W
 32   Sec. 17, T21N, R4W
 33   Sec. 18, T21N, R4W
 34   Sec. 30, T21N, R4W
 35   Sec. 2, T22N, R5W
 36   Sec. 12, T22N, R5W
 37   Sec. 18 and 19, T22N, R4W
 38   Sec. 1, T21N, R5W
 39   Sec. 10, T21N, R5W
 40   Sec. 16 and 21, T21N, R5W
 41   Sec. 22, T22N, R4W
 42   Sec. 27 and 34, T24N, R4W
 43   Sec. 23, T24N, R4W
 44   Sec. 19, T24N, R4W
 45   Sec. 21, T24N, R4W
46  21  Wildcat Creek at its mouth           Sec. 3, T23N, R4W
47  20  Wildcat Creek at Eisenhowser Road    Sec. 14, T23N, R4W
48  19  North Fork Wildcat Creek at County   Sec. 10, T23N, R3W
        Road 900 East
49  --  North Fork Wildcat Creek at County   Sec. 12, T23N, R3W
        Line Road
50  --  South Fork Wildcat Creek at County   Sec. 17 and 20, T23N, R3W
        Road 100 North
51  18  South Fork Wildcat Creek at State    Sec. 21, T23N, R3W
        Road 26
52  16  South Fork Wildcat Creek at County   Sec. 4, T22N, R3W
        Road 200 South
53  15  South Fork Wildcat Creek at          Sec. 22, T22N, R3W
        Wyndotte Road
54  --  South Fork Wildcat Creek at County   Sec. 26, T22N, R3W
        Road 200 South
55  17  Middle Fork Wildcat Creek at County  Sec. 26 and 27, T23N, R3W
        Road 900 East
56  --  Lauramie Creek at New Castle Road    Sec. 34, T22N, R3W
57  --  Lauramie Creek at U.S. 52            Sec. 10, T2IN, R3W
58  --  Buck Creek at Stair Road             Sec. 30, T24N, R3W
59  23  Buck Creek at County Road 600 East   Sec. 30, T24N, R3W
60  --  Sugar Creek at its mouth             Sec. 20, T24N, R3W
61  22  Sugar Creek at County Road 775 East  Sec. 21, T24N, R3W
62  --  Tippecanoe River at its mouth        Sec. 20, T24N, R3W
63  --  Tippecanoe River at riffle below     Sec. 17, T24N, R3W
        Moot's Creek
64  --  Tippecanoe River at 2nd island       Sec. 8 and 9, T24N, R3W
        below Pretty Prairie Road
65  --  Tippecanoe River at Pretty Prairie   Sec. 9, T24N, R3W
        Road
66  --  Moot's Creek at its mouth            Sec. 8, T24N, R3W
67  30  Moot's Creek at Pretty Prairie Road  Sec. 8, T24N, R3W
68  --  Moot's Creek at Tyler Road           Sec. 5, T24N, R3W
69  --  Bowen's Ditch at County Road 950     Sec. 2 and 3, T24N, R3W
        North
70  --  Bridge Creek downstream from State   Sec. 11, T24N, R3W
        Road 25
List of all know fish species collected from Tippecanoe County,
Indiana. Site numbers accompany those species collected
during 1994. The literature citations represent the last
records for those species not collected during 1994.
Species                         Collection Site
Petromyzontidae
 Lampetra appendix, American    49 (adult); 26, 27,
   brook lamprey                 42, 49, 67 (ammocoete)
 Ichthyomnyzon unicuspis,       1, 4, 11 (adult); 49,
  silver lamprey                 51, 53, 64 (ammocoete)
Polyodontidae
 Polyodon spathula, paddlefish  7
Acipenseridae
 Scaphirhynchus platorynchus,   1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10
  shovelnose sturgeon
Lepisosteidae
 Lepisosteus oculatus,          62
  spotted gar
 L. osseus, longnose gar        1-11, 26, 53, 62
 L. platostomus,                1-6, 9, 11, 26
   shortnose gar
Amiidae
 Amia calva, bowfin             1, 2, 7
Anguillidae
 Anguilla rostrata,             Curry and
   American eel                   Spacie (1978)
Clupeidae
 Alosa chrysochloris,           2, 4, 7, 10
  skipjack herring
 Dorosoma cepedianum,           1-11, 46, 48, 49,
  gizzard shad                    51, 52, 62, 67
 D. petenense, threadfin        62
  shad
Hiodontidae
 Hiodon alosoides, goldeye      1, 3, 6, 7, 10
 H. tergisus, mooneye           1-3, 5-7, 9-11, 62
Umbridae
 Umbra limi, central            26, 28, 35, 36, 70
  mudminnow
Esocidae
 Esox americanus                12, 15, 16, 18,
  vermiculatus, grass             32, 35, 39
  pickerel
 E. lucius, northern pike       Curry and Spacie (1978)
Cyprinidae
 Campostoma anomalum,           1-4, 8, 12-14, 19-34,
   central stoneroller            36-61, 65-70
 Cyprinella spiloptera,         1-11 14, 22, 25, 26,
   spotfin shiner                 28-31, 36, 42, 46-56,
                                  58, 60, 62-68, 70
 C. whipplei, steelcolor        1-9, 11, 26, 28, 42,
   shiner                         46-52, 60, 62-68
 Cyprinus carpio, carp          1-11, 14-17, 26, 31,
                                  33, 46, 51-53, 62, 69
 Ericymba buccata,              1-4, 7, 10, 13, 19-23, 26,
   silverjaw minnow              28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36-38,
                                 40-42, 44-46, 49-51, 53,
                                 55-57, 59, 61, 65-68
 Erimystax dissimilis,          5, 8, 48, 62, 63
  streamline chub
 E, x-punctata, gravel chub     4, 5, 8, 10, 63, 65
 Extrarius aestivalis,          1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 46, 63, 65
  speckled chub
 Hybognothus nuchalis,          4
  Mississippi silvery
  minnow
 Hybopsis amblops,              1, 4, 7, 13, 21, 28,
  bigeye chub                     29, 49, 50-53, 55,
                                  56, 64, 65, 67, 68
 Luxilus chrysocephalus,        1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12-14,
  striped shiner                  19-23, 26-30, 33, 34,
                                  36-48, 51-58, 60,
                                  61, 65, 67, 68
 Lythrurus umbratilis,          12, 14, 15, 17,
  redfin shiner                   24, 25, 31-33
 Macrhybopsis storeriana,       1, 2, 4, 62
  silver chub
Nocomis biguttarus,               27, 58, 61, 66, 67
  hornyhead chub
N. micropogon, river chub         19, 20, 22, 26-30, 36, 37, 42,
                                   46-56, 60, 61, 63, 66-68
Notemigonus crysoleucas,          9, 17
  golden shiner
Notropis atherinoides,            1-4, 6-11, 26, 46, 49,
  emerald shiner                    62, 63, 66, 67
N. blennius, river shiner         1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 26, 46, 66
N. dorsalis, bigmouth shiner      Erman and Mumford
                                    (unpublished data)
N. ludibundus, sand shiner        1-8, 10, 11, 22, 26, 28-34,
                                   42, 46-54, 56, 63, 65-68
N. rubellus, rosyface shiner      1-3, 6, 8, 26, 28-31, 52,
                                    53, 55, 56, 66-68
N. voluvellus, mimic shiner       29, 30, 50, 68
N. wickliffi, channel shiner      2-4, 7, 8, 28, 50, 62, 68
Opsopocodus emiliae,              Gerking (1945); Erman and
  pugnose minnow                    Mumford (unpublished data)
Plzenacobius mirabills,           1, 3, 8-10, 13, 19, 22, 27,
  suckermouth minnow               46-51, 55, 60, 63, 66-68
Phoxinus erythorgaster,           58, 59
  southern redbelly dace
Pimephales notatus,               1-3, 6-17, 19-34, 36-40,
  bluntnose minnow                  42-62, 65-70
R pronle/as, fathead minnow       7, 54, 69
R vigilax, bullhead minnow        1-4, 6-11, 46, 62, 64, 65
Rhiniclzrhys atratulus,           5, 7, 8, 10-12, 19, 20, 22-25, 27,
  blacknose dace                   28, 30, 34, 36-46, 51, 55-61, 67-70
Semotilus atromaculatus,          1-3, 7, 12-26, 28-34, 36-46, 48,
  creek chub                       49, 51, 53, 55-61, 65, 67-70
Catastomidae
Cycleptus elongatus,              1,3-6, 8-10
  blue sucker
Carpiodes carpio,                 1-11, 29,46, 64, 65, 68
  river carpsucker
C. cyprinus, quillback            1-5, 7, 9, 10, 62
C. velifer, highfin carpsucker    6, 8-10,47
Catostoinus commersoni,           7, 12, 14-17, 19, 21-34, 36-45,
  white sucker                     52, 54, 56, 57, 60, 61, 65, 67-70
Erirnyzon oblongus,               12, 14-18, 33-35
  creek chubsucker
Hypenrelium nigricans,            3-5, 7-11, 13, 15, 19-21, 26-34,
  northern hogsucker               36-39, 41-44, 46-58, 60-63, 65-68
Ictiobus bubalus,                 1-11
  smallmouth buffalo
I. cyprinellus, bigmouth buffalo  3-5, 7, 11
I. niger, black buffalo           Curry and Spacie (1978)
Lagochila lacera, harelip sucker  Evermann and Jenkins (1892)
Minytreina melanops,              2, 9, 14, 15, 31, 33, 46, 60
  spotted sucker
Moxosronia anisurum,              1-3, 5-11, 42, 49, 51, 53,
  silver redhorse                   54, 60, 62, 64, 65
M. carinatum, river redhorse      6, 8, 10, 11
M. duquesnei, black redhorse      2-4, 6-11, 22, 28, 29, 46,
                                    49-55, 62, 65, 68
M. erythrurum, golden             1-11, 29-32, 36, 47-49, 51,
  redhorse                         54, 55, 60, 62, 66, 67, 69
M. macrolepidotum,                2-11,47-50,52, 60, 62,
  shorthead redhorse                64-66, 69
Ictaluridae
Ainelurus inelas,                 14, 16, 17,51
  black bullhead
A. natalis. yellow                9, 13-17, 22, 25, 27, 30-32,
  bullhead                          34, 38, 44, 45, 51, 55-57,
                                    60, 61, 64, 67, 68
Ictalurus punctatus,              1-11, 26, 28, 36, 42,
  channel catfish                   46, 49, 64, 65, 67
Nonrus eleurherus,                8, 10
  mountain madtom
N.flavus, stonecat                3, 10, 13, 14, 19, 26, 27, 33,
                                   46, 49, 51, 55, 60, 61,67
N. gyrinus, tadpole madtom        60
N. miurus, brindled madtom        53, 65
Pylodictis olivaris,              1-4, 6-9, 46, 50, 65
  flathead catfish
Gadidae
Lota Iota, burbot                 Curry and Spacie (1978)
Fundulidae
 Fundulus notatus, blackstripe      14,15
  topiminnow
Atherinidae
 Labidesthes sicculus, brook        65
  silverside
Moronidae
 Morone chrysops, white bass        3, 4, 6, 9, 10
 M. chrysops x M. saxatilis,        9,10
  hybrid striped bass
Centrarchidae
 Ambloplites rupestris, rock bass   11, 19, 20, 26-32, 34, 36, 42, 43,
                                     46, 48, 49, 51-53, 55, 56,
                                     60-66, 68
 Lepontis cyancllus, green sunfish  1, 3, 9-12, 14-26, 28-32, 35, 38,
                                     42-46, 50-53, 55, 56, 60, 61, 63,
                                     65, 67, 68, 70
 L gulosus, warmouth                Erman and Mumford
                                     (unpublished data)
 L humilis, orangespotted sunfish   2, 64, 65
 L macrochirus, bluegill            1-5, 7-9, 11, 19, 22-24, 26, 28,
                                     36, 45, 46, 49, 51-53, 60, 62, 63,
                                     65, 66
 L megalotis, longear sunfish       2-4, 6-17, 19-21, 24, 26, 28-34,
                                     36-39, 42, 43, 46, 49-57,
                                     60, 6268
 L microlophus, redear sunfish      51
 Micropterus dolomicu,
  smallmouth bass                   1-4, 6-11, 13, 19-21, 26-30, 36-39,
                                     46-56, 60, 62-65, 67, 68
 M. punctulatus, spolted bass       1-11, 14, 24-26, 28, 35, 46, 47,
                                     49-51, 53, 62, 64-68
 M. salmoides, largemouth bass      7, 14, 32
 Pomoxis annularis, white crappie   1, 3, 8-11, 15, 51
 P. nigromaculatus, black crappie   7, 62
Percidae
 Ammocrypta pellucida, eastern      Gerking (1945); Erman and Mumford
  sand darter                        (unpublished data); Curry and
                                     Spacie (1978)
 Etheostoma blennioides,            6, 10-14, 21, 26-31, 33, 34, 36-39,
  greenside darter                   46-56, 60, 62-65, 68
 E. caerulcum, rainbow darter       1-4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 19-21, 26-28,
                                     36, 37, 39, 40, 49-56, 63-68
 E. camurum, bluebreast darter      10
 E. flabellare, fantail darter      11, 13, 19-21, 26-28, 36-39,
                                     55-57, 60
 E. microperca, least darter        Erman and Mumford
                                     (unpublished data)
 E. nigrum, johnny darter           2, 4, 9-12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21,
                                     23-27, 29-32, 34, 37-39, 42,
                                     44-46, 49, 51, 53, 55-58, 60,
                                     63-68
 E. spectabile, orangethoat darter  11, 12, 19-21, 24-26, 28-32, 36-41,
                                     49, 51, 53, 56, 57, 68
 Perca flavescens, yellow perch     Gerking (1945); Curry and
                                     Spacie (1978)
 Percina caprodes, logperch         2, 10, 48, 64, 65
 P. copelandi, channel darter       Gerking (1945)
 P. maculata, blackside darter      14, 62
 P. phoxocephaia, slenderhead       14, 11, 63-65
  darter
 P. sciera, dusky darter            4, 10, 15, 26, 42, 46, 48-51,
                                     53, 55, 56, 63-67
 P. shumardi, river darter          10, 65
 Stizostedion canadense, sauger     3-6, 8-11, 46, 65
 S. vitreum, walleye                1, 6, 8, 10, 11, 62
Sciaenidae
 Aplodinotus grunniens,             1-11, 46
 freshwater drum
Cottidae
 Cottus bairdi, mouled sculpin      8, 12-14, 19-24, 26-31, 33, 34, 36,
                                     38-45, 51, 52, 55-58, 60, 61, 67,
                                     68, 70
Most common species collected during 1994.
Overall                  #/70  Wabash River Tributaries  #59
Pimphales notatus        63    Pimephales notatus        54
Campostoma anomalum      56    Campostoma anomalum       51
Semotilus atromaculatus  53    Semotilus atromaculatus   49
Hypentelium Nigricans    51    Hypentelium nigricans     43
Lepomis megalotis        51    Lepomnis megalotis        42
Luxilus chrysocephalus   46    Luxilus chrysocephalus    41
Lepomis cyanellus        44    Catostomus commersoni     41
Cyprinella spiloptera    42    Lepomis cyanellus         39
Catostomus commersoni    42    Cottus bairdi             37
Estheostoma nigrum       42    Estheostoma nigrum        37
Micropterus dolomieu     41    Rhinichthys atratulus     34
Ericymba buccata         40    Ericymba buccata          34
Rhinichthys atratulus    39    Etheostoma blennioides    33
Cottus bairdi            38    Cyprinella spiloptera     31
Notropis ludibundus      36    Micropterus dolomieu      31
Etheostoma blennioides   36    Ambloplites rupestris     29
Nocomis micropogon       35    Nocomis micropogon        28
Overall                  Wabash River              #11
Pimphales notatus        Lepisosteus osseus        11
Campostoma anomalum      Dorosoma cepedianum       11
Semotilus atromaculatus  Cyprinella spiloptera     11
Hypentelium Nigricans    Cyprinus carpio           11
Lepomis megalotis        Carpiodes carpic          11
Luxilus chrysocephalus   Ictiobus bubalus          11
Lepomis cyanellus        Moxostoma erythrurum      11
Cyprinella spiloptera    Ictalurus punctatus       11
Catostomus commersoni    Micropterus puncutatus    11
Estheostoma nigrum       Aplodinotus grunniens     11
Micropterus dolomieu     Cyprinella whipplei       10
Ericymba buccata         Notropis atherinoides     10
Rhinichthys atratulus    Notropis ludibundus       10
Cottus bairdi            Pimephales vigilax        10
Notropis ludibundus      Moxostoma anisurum        10
Etheostoma blennioides   Moxostoma macrolepidotum  10
Nocomis micropogon       Micropterus dolomieu      10

#/70 = The number of sites at which each listed species was found out of the 70 total sites that were sampled in the current survey.

#/59 = The number of sites at which each listed species was found out of the 59 Wabash River tributary sites.

#/11 = The number of sites at which each listed species was found out of the 11 Wabash River mainstem sites.

Species with the greatest percent increase in occurrence
from the 39 sites shared by both Curry and Spacie (1978)
and our survey. Only those species found from at least
three of the overall and Wabash River tributaries sites
and two of the Wabash River sites during the 1994
survey are compared.
Overall (#/39)           '78  '94  Wabash River Trib. (#/30)  '78  '94
Micropterus punctulatus   0   16   Micropterus punctulatus     0    7
Percina sciera            0    9   Percina sciera              0    7
Pimephales vigilax        1    9   Notropis ludibundus         2   17
Cyprinella whipplei       2   16   Cyprinus carpio             1    7
Cycleptus elongatus       1    6   Ameiurus natalis            2   12
Ambloplites rupestris     3   18   Ambloplites rupestris       3   17
Ameiurus natalis          2   12   Moxostoma erythrurum        2   10
Lepomis macrochirus       4   17   Lepomis macrochirus         2   10
Notropis rubellus         3   12   Dorosoma cepedianum         1    5
Ictalurus punctatus       4   14   Ictalurus punctatus         1    5
Noturus flavus            3   10   Hybopsis amblops            2    8
Etheostoma flabellare     3    9   Cyprinella whipplei         2    8
Erimystax x-punctata      1    3   Lepomis cyanellus           6   20
Lepomis cyanellus         8   24   Micropterus dolomieu        6   17
Erimyzon oblongus         1    3   Etheostoma flabellare       3    8
Hybopsis amblops          4   11   Notropis rubellus           3    8
Micropterus dolomieu     10   25   Noturus flavus              3    8
Overall (#/39)           Wabash River (#/9)        '78  '94
Micropterus punctulatus  Micropterus punctulatus    0    9
Percina sciera           Cyprinella whipplei        0    8
Pimephales vigilax       Pimephales vigilax         0    8
Cyprinella whipplei      Etheostoma caeruleum       0    6
Cycleptus elongatus      Rhinichthys atratulus      0    4
Ambloplites rupestris    Notropis rubellus          0    4
Ameiurus natalis         Etheostoma blennioides     0    3
Lepomis macrochirus      Macrlzybopsis storeriana   0    3
Notropis rubellus        Percina phoxocephala       0    2
Ictalurus punctatus      Percina sciera             0    2
Noturus flavus           Noturus flavus             0    2
Etheostoma flabellare    Gycleplus elongatus        1    6
Erimystax x-punctata     Stizostedion vitreum       1    4
Lepomis cyanellus        Lepomis macrochirus        2    7
Erimyzon oblongus        Erimystax x-punctata       1    3
Hybopsis amblops         Ictalurus punctatus        3    9
Micropterus dolomieu     Carpiodes cyprinus         3    7

#/39 = The number of sites at which each listed species was found out of the 39 sites that were sampled by Curry and Spacie.

#/30 = The number of sites at which each listed species was found out of the 30 Wabash River tributary sites sampled by Curry and Spacie.

#/9 = The number of sites at which each listed species was found out of the 9 Wabash River mainstem sites samples by Curry and Spacie.