9 replies to this topic

[JasonL]

Spent some time this summer exploring the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois and I thought I'd share some pics of the local fishes I encountered. Habitat sampled was largely spring fed creeks with upland features and rocky outcroppings, which differs from the lowland features of much of the region. Pretty cool area to explore and beat the summer heat.


Rainbow darter (E. caeruleum) abundant


Spottail darter (E. squamiceps) YOY


Banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae)


Ribbon shiner (Lythrurus fumeus)



Northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans)



Central Longear (L. megalotis)

[JasonL]

Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris)



Striped shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus) abundant and excellent bait for smallies in this area


Green sunfish (L. cyanellus)


Lepomis macrochirus X megalotis hybrid (I think....)


Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) showed minimal interest in artificials but could catch them all day long on Luxilus shiners.

[JasonL]

?Black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei) This fish was actually dipnetted incidentally. It is a YOY specimen I initially thought was M. erythrurum but scale count was more c/w duquesnei. Both are present here.


Stripetail darter (E. kennicotti)



Blackspotted topminnow (Fundulus olivaceus)


Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus)



Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)


Central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum)

[centrarchid]

You messing around in Big Creek?

[JasonL]

Yeah Big Creek was one of several spots. Some of these pics are from there. You've been there before?

[littlen]

Awesome.  Thank you for sharing.

[MtFallsTodd]

Cool, looks like a fun day.

[centrarchid]

Yeah Big Creek was one of several spots. Some of these pics are from there. You've been there before?

Some reports of Big Foot in the Shawnee may be attributable to me.  I used to haunt streams all over that forest system.

[BenCantrell]

Thanks for sharing!  Brings back good memories of my road trips down there.  Ribbon shiner is one I always hoped to come across but never did.

[PBK]

Excellent fotos.