Trout-perch
Konrad Schmidt
Grows to 7 inches. Light yellow in color with rows of dusky brown spots along the back. Top of head is unscaled. Pearly white spots on the underside of the head. Also has a small fleshy adipose fin near the tail.
Status in North Dakota
Year-round resident.
Range Map
Troutperch primary (dark gray) range and possible (light grey) range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
Imperiled in much of its northern range. Loss of suitable habitat seems to be the largest factor affecting this species.
Threats
Land uses, most notably agricultural practices have changed the landscape and reduced the habitat quality for this species.
Specifically, the use of ditches to drain wetlands has drastically changed the flow regime and increased the levels of sediment and runoff that enter streams and rivers.
Research and Monitoring
- The states rivers and streams are surveyed for species on a 5-year rotating schedule.
- North Dakota DEQ staff survey rivers and streams through their Index of Biotic Integrity program.
Management Recommendations
- Continue to use the Section 404 program to ensures affected rivers and riparian areas are mitigated to replace form and function.
- Continue to work with other federal agencies not covered by 404 to ensure affected rivers and riparian areas are mitigated to replace form and function.
- Continue to work with NDSWC to develop instream flow recommendations.
- Promote incentive programs to restore riparian areas.
- Continue to work with ND 319 Task Force in prioritizing projects within impaired watersheds and implementing BMPs.
- Implement intake conditions or recommendations.
- Cooperate with NDGFD Fisheries staff on state aquatic nuisance species plans.
- Removal of dams and other barriers.
- Retrofitting dams with fish passage structures.
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
Primarily found in lakes but may be found in deeper pools of rivers and streams.
Bottoms substrate is normally sand.
In North Dakota found in the Red River system including the Sheyenne River.
Recent surveys appear to indicate some expansion from historic distribution.
Records also exist from the Souris River.