Rare Species Guide

  Basis for Listing

The Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) is native to the Mississippi River basin, requiring large expanses of free-flowing rivers in which to complete its life cycle. Throughout its range, the Paddlefish has experienced declines in abundance and distribution (Becker 1983). In Minnesota, Paddlefish historically occurred in the Minnesota River to Granite Falls, in the Mississippi River to St. Anthony Falls, and in the St. Croix River to Taylors Falls (Cox 1897). Today, Minnesota's Paddlefish are limited to small populations in the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers, including Lake St. Croix and Lake Pepin (Hatch et al. in preparation), with occasional reports from other waters. For example, in the early 1990s there were two angling reports of this species from the Minnesota River at Mankato and St. Peter. Minnesota DNR fisheries crews sampled a Paddlefish in May 2004 near Granite Falls, an exceptional reappearance of this species.

The Paddlefish's decline is probably due to habitat loss and degradation, overharvest, alterations to natural river flow regimes, and the construction of navigation dams on the Mississippi River, which limit or eliminate spawning migrations. The Paddlefish was originally listed as a special concern species in Minnesota in 1984, but given evidence of long-term declines in abundance and distribution and the continued deterioration of habitat, the species was afforded threatened status in 1996. As a result of these protections, the Paddlefish is now exhibiting a slow but significant recovery.

  Description

The Paddlefish has a long, paddle-like snout, small eyes that are set far forward, and a shark-like tail. It is blue-black or gray in color on the back and white below. Its body is scale-less, except for small patches of scales on the throat, pectoral girdle, and caudal (tail) fin. Small, paired barbels are present on the under surface of the paddle near the mouth. As adults, paddlefish reach a maximum size of 2.2 m (7.2 ft.) in total length and can weigh over 23 kg (50 lbs.) (Page and Burr 1991). Historically, Paddlefish have been reported to be over 91 kg (200 lbs.). A more recent record of a Paddlefish taken from the lower Chippewa River in western Wisconsin in 1998 measured 1.8 m (5.9 ft.) long and weighed 39.4 kg (86.9 lbs.).

  Habitat

Paddlefish occur in open waters of large rivers and river lakes (such as Lake Pepin and Lake St. Croix), oxbow lakes, and backwaters. In the Upper Mississippi River drainage, they have been associated with areas of deep water and low current velocities (Zigler et al. 2003). Paddlefish need waters rich in zooplankton, on which they feed (Becker 1983), and free-flowing rivers with gravel bars that are inundated in spring floods for spawning.

In Mississippi River Pool 4, fish surveys reported 16 paddlefish from 1997-2015 from the following habitats: tailwater zones of dams (10 fish), main channel borders (5), and backwaters (1). Secchi disc readings (transparency) ranged from 29-66 cm (11-26 in.), depths from 1.5-15.0 m (5-50 ft.), and velocities from 0.06-0.68 m/s (0.02-2.3 ft./s). However, all but two observations on the latter parameter were 0.4 m/s (1.3 ft./s) or less (LTRMP 2016).

  Biology / Life History

Paddlefish are one of the few true large river species found in Minnesota. Spawning occurs in early spring, over gravel bars in temporarily flooded tributaries, when water temperatures reach about 10°C (50°F) (Purkett 1961). Zigler et al. (2003) found the linear range of Paddlefish in the Upper Mississippi River and two tributaries to be significantly larger during the spring, when compared to other seasons, suggesting a possible correlation with the onset of spawning activity. Paddlefish eggs hatch in seven days or less, at 18-21°C (65-70°F) (Purkett 1961) and newly hatched larvae average 8.5 mm (0.3 in.) long (Hatch et al. in preparation). Most male paddlefish mature at 7-9 years, and most females mature at 9-12 years. Mature adults probably do not spawn every year. Paddlefish are long-lived species, surviving for at least 20 years, and females grow larger and live longer than males. Adults are filter feeders, swimming with their mouths open to pass water over their gills and trap zooplankton on the gill rakers. Their snouts have thousands of sensory pits, which may help in the detection of food (Hatch et al. in preparation).

  Conservation / Management

Construction of dams and flood impoundment structures on large rivers has eliminated much of the Paddlefish's historical spawning grounds and interfered with migration. Dredging, overfishing, and pollution have also been implicated in the species' decline since the start of the 20th Century. Some river construction projects have helped Paddlefish populations temporarily, but the long-term effects have been negative (Sparrowe 1986; Unkenholz 1986). Injuries and death from propeller strikes by pleasure crafts in Lake Pepin are increasing and pose a significant threat to the slowly recovering Paddlefish population. Additionally, Paddlefish can be heavily parasitized by lampreys, which can weaken the fish and cause death (Hatch, in preparation).

Zigler et al. (2003) concluded that general area types (for example, channels, tailwaters, or impoundments) based on gross geomorphological features may be inadequate for describing Paddlefish habitat and therefore making management recommendations. Rather, microhabitat characteristics (depth, current velocity, and water temperature) appear to be more important factors in habitat selection by Paddlefish. The ability of Paddlefish to pass through dams and move freely between spawning and non-spawning habitats will be critical for their population recovery. Zigler et al. (2004) found that strong flood pulse (high discharge), low dam head (0.3 m (12 in.) or less), and reduced current velocities positively influenced Paddlefish passage through navigation dams in the Upper Mississippi River. To effectively manage for this rare species, additional research on Paddlefish reproductive and recruitment success is needed. Locating specific spawning areas and evaluating lock chambers as possible avenues for fish passage of navigation dams will be important components of any future studies.

Standardized sampling gear and methods used in DNR Fisheries lake and stream surveys are extremely ineffective in capturing Paddlefish. Long term monitoring of Minnesota populations should include the following methods: (1) DNR Fisheries staff record incidental catches of Paddlefish and other listed species in seine hauls of commercial operators. (2) Short term sets (maximum 90 minutes) of large mesh gill nets from fall to spring during cold water periods. (3) Snagging catch and release (Schmidt 2004 and 1995). 

One remedy for chronic insufficient funding, would be to manage Paddlefish as a trophy fishery the same as Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), which is a special concern species. Game fish funds have enabled the Section of Fisheries, MN DNR, to stock Lake Sturgeon fingerlings in many historic habitats, monitor populations, and provide a limited recreational harvest. A similar program could be implemented for Paddlefish.

  Conservation Efforts in Minnesota

Tagging and radio telemetry studies of 71 paddlefish in the Upper Mississippi River drainage conducted by the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center of the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1994-1997 provided greater insight into the habitat use, long-term movement patterns, and dam passage of this species in Minnesota (Zigler et al. 2003 and 2004). Additional Paddlefish surveys were conducted in 2004 by the MN DNR Section of Fisheries on the Minnesota River and by the MN DNR Division of Ecological Services on the Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix rivers. The MN DNR Division of Ecological Services also received a State Wildlife Grant (SWG) to conduct surveys for rare fish species in the Mississippi River from the Twin Cities to the Iowa border. These surveys were conducted from 2006-2008 (Schmidt and Proulx 2009), and the Paddlefish was a targeted species.

The continued recovery of Paddlefish to historic habitats and abundance is dependent upon the removal or retrofitting of dams with fish passage features such as ladders or lifts. This would include dams on the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to the Iowa border, and the Minnesota River from Granite Falls to Big Stone Lake. Long-term monitoring of Paddlefish populations is essential and can be achieved through non-standardized and non-lethal survey techniques such as snagging and short duration gill net sets during the fall, winter, and spring. Another avenue that is being pursued on a limited basis is the funding of on-board fish biologists who observe and gather data on the incidental catches of commercial operators. Commercial nets, catch methods, and seasonal timing of commercial operations have proven to be far more effective in capturing Paddlefish and other rare, large river fish species than the standard equipment and techniques fish biologists typically utilize. Further Paddlefish research needs include mortality frequency of propeller strikes from large recreational watercraft and basic life history to identify the critical spawning, rearing, and seasonally-utilized habitats. 

The recent inception of Minnesota’s Clean Water Legacy Program will eventually yield benefits to Paddlefish habitats through nutrient and sediment load reductions.

  References and Additional Information

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

Cox, U. O. 1897. A preliminary report on the fishes of Minnesota. Geological Natural History Survey Minnesota, Zoological Series III:1-93.

LTRMP 2016. Mississippi River pools 4 and 8 fish survey data (1989-2015). Long Term Resource Monitoring Program, fisheries database browser [web application]. Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. <http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/data_library/fisheries/fish1_query.html>. Accessed 28 April 2016.

NatureServe. 2015. NatureServe Explorer: an online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. <http://www.natureserve.org/explorer>. Accessed 19 May 2016.

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

Phillips, G, L. American Eel Anguilla rostrata (Lesueur, 1817). In J. T. Hatch, G. L. Phillips, K. P. Schmidt, and M. McInerny, editors. The Fishes of Minnesota (in preparation).

Purkett, C. A. 1961. Reproduction and early development of paddlefish. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 90: 125-129.

Schmidt, K. 1995. The distribution and status of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) in Minnesota. North American Native Fishes Association. 22 pp.

Schmidt, K. P. 2004. Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) survey results in the Mississippi River from St. Paul to Red Wing. Final report submitted to the Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 22 pp.

Schmidt, K. P., and N. Proulx. 2009. Status and critical habitat of rare fish species in the Mississippi River from the Coon Rapids Dam to the Iowa border. Final report submitted to the State Wildlife Grants Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 29 pp.

Sparrowe, R. D. 1986. Threats to Paddlefish habitat. Pages 36-45 in J. G. Dillard, L. K. Graham, and T. R. Russell, editors. The Paddlefish: status, management and propagation. North Central Division, American Fisheries Society, Special Publication Number 7.

Unkenholz, D. G. 1986. Effects of dams and other habitat alterations on Paddlefish sport fisheries. Pages 54-61 in J. G. Dillard, L. K. Graham, and T. R. Russell, editors. The Paddlefish: status, management and propagation. North Central Division, American Fisheries Society, Special Publication Number 7.

Zigler, S. J., M. R. Dewey, B. C. Knights, A. L. Runstrom, and M. T. Steingraeber. 2003. Movement and habitat use by radio-tagged paddlefish in the upper Mississippi River and tributaries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23:189-205.

Zigler, S. J., M. R. Dewey, B. C. Knights, A. L. Runstrom, and M. T. Steingraeber. 2004. Hydrologic and hydraulic factors affecting passage of paddlefish through dams in the upper Mississippi River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:160-172.