Our Bay: DNR Rail

ASK AN EXPERT

How many species of fish live in Maryland's freshwater streams?

Historically, about 100 species of freshwater fish were known to occur in Maryland. The statewide Maryland Biological Stream Survey, conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources since 1994, has collected 85 species.

The five most abundant species are eastern blacknose dace, eastern mudminnow, Blue Ridge sculpin, bluntnose minnow and creek chub. Bluegill and pumpkinseed are the most widely distributed freshwater fish.

Resident stream species with total numbers of less than 5,000 are stonecat, ironcolor shiner, striped shiner and logperch. In addition to these uncommon species, mud sunfish, flier, glassy darter, stripeback darter, blackbanded sunfish, Maryland darter and 22 other fish species are rare and classified by DNR as species of greatest conservation need.

The Maryland darter is currently being searched for by DNR and has not been seen since 1988. It may be extinct in the state.

About 19 percent of our stream miles have no fish at all.

By contrast, a site in Double Pipe Creek in Carroll County, sampled by DNR in 2002, yielded a record high catch of 11,354 fish representing 26 species. Nearly 70 percent of fish collected in that creek was one species, bluntnose minnow.

The kinds and numbers of fish living in streams around the state can speak volumes about water and habitat quality. In general, the highest quality streams have the most fish species, especially those species that are sensitive to water pollution.

For information, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/mbss/

Answered by: Ronald J. Klauda, director of Monitoring and Non-Tidal Assessment Division, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

CREATURE FEATURE

Spotted Seatrout
Cynoscion nebulosus

Spotted seatrout, often called the speckled trout, prefer shallow bays and estuaries.

They can be found from Cape Cod to Mexico, but are not common north of Delaware Bay. They move into the Chesapeake Bay in April and May and leave as water temperatures fall in November.

They can live up to 15 years, though it is rare to find one more than 5 years old. They frequent grass beds, oyster bars, creek mouths, drop-offs and submerged structures, generally in less than 10 feet of water.

Spotted seatrout are dusky gray on top, fading to silver at the belly. The upper body is marked with numerous dark spots that extend into the dorsal and tail fins, which are both pale yellowish green. Spotted sea trout have a pair of enlarged canine teeth in the upper jaw and the lower jaw is projecting, as in weakfish.

They grow to a maximum length of about 3 feet, and a maximum weight of about16 pounds.

Spotted seatrout like to eat shrimp, crabs and fish, such as menhaden, Atlantic croaker, spot, anchovies and silversides. Adults swim in small schools with incoming tides and move into shallow areas to feed.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Chesapeake Bay averages about 21 feet in depth, but most of the bay is extremely shallow. Just a few deep channels that are over 100 feet deep provide passageways for ships to get into ports.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Wakes from boats and personal watercraft in shallow waters can contribute to shoreline erosion and stir up bottom sediments, harming underwater bay grasses. Boaters should observe no-wake laws and speed limits at all times and steer clear of shallow water grass beds.