Michigan Natural Features InventoryP.O. Box 30444 - Lansing, MI 48909 - PDF document

Michigan Natural Features InventoryP.O. Box 30444 - Lansing, MI 48909-7944Phone: 517-373-1552 Channel darters are benthic, or bottom, feeders. Theirmidge larvae, as well as small crustaceans. The channeldarter also feeds on algae and organic debris (Turner(3 m) water, it is known to move into shallow water()(rautman 1981). It generally overwin-ters in deep backwater pool areas filled with organic The range of the channelpast century. Prior to 1957, the darter was reported in11 counties along Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and theSt. Clair River, and Lake Erie. In surveys conducted inPine and the Au Sable Rivers. Additional surveysconfirmed the presence of channel darters in the St.linked to diminishing suitable habitat. Habitat in thetions. In more pristine rivers, such as the Pine and AuResearch Needs: Additional surveys are needed tochannel darters. Monitoring of known populations isStudies should focus on spawning, developmentalprocesses and behavior Such information will enableresource managers to initiate effective protection andrecovery efforts, to insure the long-term viability of thisSelected References:Branson, B.A. 1967. Fishes of the Neosho river systemin Oklahoma. Am. Midl. Nat. 78:212-154.Kuehne, R.A. and R.W. Barbour. 1983. The Americandarters. Univ. Press of Kentucky.Pflieger, W. L. 1975. The fishes of Missouri. MissouriTrautman, M.B. 1981. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio StateUniv. Press, Columbus. 782 pp.Turner, C.L. 1921. Food of the common Ohio darters.Winn, H.E. 1953. Breeding habits of the Percid fishHadropterus copelandi in Michigan.Winn, H.E. 1958a. Comparative reproductive behaviorWinn, H.E. 1958b. Observations on the reproductivehabits of darters (Pisces-Percidae). Am. Midl. Nat.Carman, S.M. and R. R. Goforth. 2000. Special animalPercina copelandi (channel darter).Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. channel darter, Page 2Wildlife Division.Copyright 2004 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Michigan Natural Features InventoryP.O. Box 30444 - Lansing, MI 48909-7944Phone: 517-373-1552 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec State Distribution Status: State EndangeredGlobal and State Rank: G4/S1S2Total Range: The channel darter occurs primarily inLakes basin and upper St. Lawrence drainages. Thesouthwestern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansasand northern Louisiana. While the range of the channeldarter is large, this species often occurs in isolatedState Distribution: The range of the channel darter inLake Erie on the eastern coast of Michigan. Historicoccurred in the AuSable River, Iosco Co.; Pine River,Alcona Co.; Rifle River, Arenac and Ogemaw Co.;Saginaw Bay region; and Thunder Bay, Alpena County.in the Au Sable, Pine and St. Clair Rivers in Michigan. Darters are small, laterally compressedfish with two dorsal fins. The channel darter is distin-guished from other darters by enlarged scales betweenthe base of the pelvic fins. Channel darters also havespecies which have a single spine. The channel darterhas an elongate, slender body, with light olive to sandon each side (Pflieger 1975). The channel darter isindividuals have been observed to 64 mm. BreedingBest Survey Time: April through September. The channel darter inhabits rivers and largecreeks in areas of moderate current over sand andgravel. The channel darter has also been reported in thenearshore waveswept areas of Lake Huron and Lakehabitats (Trautman 1981). Channel darter spawning has been studied inthe the Cheboygan River, Cheboygan County (Winnto 72 F. Flowing water is essestial to channel darterspawning. Males defend a 1 meter territory centered bya large rock, behind which they maintain a small neststation. When a female approaches, the male guides herto the area of small gravel behind the rock. The femaleperched on top of her, deposits her eggs. They areparents depart the nest. Females deposit 4-10 eggs at415 eggs total (Winn 1953). Eggs are slightly adhesive Image courtesy of New York Sportfishing andAquatic Resources Education Program