Monday, June 27, 2011

Missouri Highfin Carpsuckers

Among the lesser known fish of Missouri is the highfin carpsucker. The Fishes of Missouri by William L Pflieger describes the highfin carpsucker as rare, with known populations only in the Meramec, Gasconade, Osage, and White river systems.

One distinguishing feature is the extremely long filament on the front of the dorsal fin. Highfin carpsuckers seldom grow larger than a pound or longer than 12 inches.

Highfin carpsuckers prefer clearer, cleaner streams than their close and much more widely distributed relatives, the river carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) and the quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus). Like the gizzard shad, the highfin carpsucker is known for jumping out of the water.

On May 21, 2011 Derek S. DePew set the Missouri state alternative fishing methods record for highfin carpsucker while participating in a bowfishing tournament.

The alternative-methods record for the species was open, allowing DePew an automatic record when Conservation Agent Chris Boyd verified the fish’s species.

DePew's fish weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces and was 15 inches long.

source: Missouri Department of Conservation

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