9 replies to this topic

[Gilly13]

I'm planning on having either Rainbow or Iowa darters in my tank, and would like to attempt to catch my own. I've been on some of the cites that show locations of fish but nothing was close enough to me.

So my question is does anyone know of any locations that are close to my location in Saginaw Mi, or in any of the surrounding counties and cities such as Midland, Bay City, Hemlock.

Thanks for any suggestions 

[Michael Wolfe]

use fish map... there is a link at the top of the page

[noimdirtydan]

rainbow darters are heavily restricted under michigan conservation laws so you might want to check with your local DNR office here's the website  http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ 

[Matt DeLaVega]

rainbow darters are heavily restricted under michigan conservation laws so you might want to check with your local DNR office here's the website  http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ 

Crazy. Must be the only place in their range that they aren't common as dirt. Is it an end of range thing?

[mattknepley]

rainbow darters are heavily restricted under michigan conservation laws so you might want to check with your local DNR office here's the website  http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ 

Where does it state they are restricted? Granted, my knowledge is not extensive, so I'm not doubting you, but the only thing I saw on my exhaustive 20 second google vetting of this topic is this: http://www.michigan....--,00.html#LifeHistory & Michigan History. No mention of anything species specific.

[noimdirtydan]

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/2007-007_NR_Threatened_Endangered_Species__nonstrike__9-12._274586_7.pdf 

[noimdirtydan]

should be there however I haven't been on in a while

[mattknepley]

Dirty Dan, are you maybe thinking of Orangethroat Darters? They were in a 2005 report from MI DNR as suffering declining numbers and they do show up as "species of concern" but not threatened or endangered. I couldn't get your link from post #6 to work, but I did manage to find that list at http://www.michigan....2._274586_7.pdfThis list went into effect in 2009. Darters on there, but no Rainbows. River Darters, yes, but no rainbow. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory from Michigan State University (2009)lists a few darters, including Orangethroats, but no Rainbow Darter. http://mnfi.anr.msu....imals.cfm#grp16 I am hopeful that you are mistaken in the Rainbow Darter's status. Which would make it more more easy to enjoy them!

Don't take this as criticism, because it is not. I applaud you for looking out for the fishes and wildlife of your state and being willing to speak out on their behalf. I'm just not convinced you have this right. But if you do, I like my crow served with a side of pride stuffing...

[noimdirtydan]

You're probably right

[MichiJim]

Rainbow darters are very common in lower Michigan.  I am not aware of them being on any restrictive list.  This is a good map of their distribution: http://www.michigan....30538--,00.html

 

Iowa darters are more wide-spread but can be a little difficult to find.  When you do, there are usually a lot of them.  Again, I am not aware of them as a listed species in Michigan.

 

I have kept both, most recently Iowas.  In my opinion, rainbows are more interesting, entertaining, and easier to keep.  Neither is a challenge, though.

 

Matt is correct, orangethroats are not common in the state.  They are only found in extreme SE Michigan in streams that enter Lake Erie.  They are not a listed species in Michigan.  http://www.michigan....2._274586_7.pdf

 

Standard disclaimer:  Contact you local DNR office.