Tis the season to celebrate the diversity of aquatic friends who call the White River home! Each day between December 14 and 25, 2024 we’ll learn about one of the dozens of species of fish found in the river.
Day 1: Logperch
Logperch are striped, torpedo-shaped fish about 3-6 inches long, with pointed snouts perfect for flipping over rocks. They thrive in fast-moving, clear streams with rocky riverbeds. These little riverbed detectives are always on the hunt for hidden snacks!
Day 2: Green Sunfish
Green sunfish are bold little beauties, usually 4-10 inches long, with shimmering green and yellow hues. They thrive in calm, shallow waters and are quick to snap at prey—or a fishing hook. Their small size doesn’t stop them from being some of the feistiest fish in the river!
Day 3: Bowfin
Bowfin Bowfin are muscular, torpedo-shaped fish that can grow up to 30 inches long, with olive-green scales and a long dorsal fin. These prehistoric predators can gulp air, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen waters. They’re resilient, ancient warriors of the river ecosystem!
Day 4: Warmouth
Warmouth are stout little fish, 6-10 inches long, with bold, warpaint-like stripes and a large mouth that belies their size. They love weedy, shallow waters where they ambush insects and smaller fish. Their attitude is as bold as their looks!
Day 5: Eastern Elliptio Mussel
Not a fish, but they do depend on fish for their survival! The Eastern elliptio mussel is a smooth-shelled marvel, typically 3-5 inches long, that filters gallons of water daily. Buried in the sandy or muddy riverbed, it quietly improves water quality. These mussels may be stationary, but their impact is enormous!
Day 6: Longnose Gar
With their long, slender bodies and sharp-toothed snouts, longnose gar look like they swam straight out of the dinosaur age. They aren’t too common but can grow up to 4 feet long and often hang out near the surface of slow-moving waters. Their olive-brown backs and silver sides make them perfectly camouflaged for a stealthy hunt.
Day 7: Freshwater Drum
Freshwater drum, or “sheepshead,” are chunky fish with silvery-gray bodies and a peculiar knack for drumming underwater. Growing up to 20-30 inches, they prefer deeper waters where they feast on clams, insects, and fish. Their strange sound is like the river’s own underwater band!
Day 8: Smallmouth Bass
Buddy’s kin and a favorite catch for anglers looking for action, smallmouth bass are the scrappy underdogs of the river, putting up a big fight despite their medium size, usually 10-20 inches. Their bronze-colored bodies shimmer in the sun as they dart around rocky, clear waters.
Day 9: Channel Catfish
Channel catfish, with their long, sleek bodies and whisker-like barbels, are the river’s nighttime scavengers. These bottom-dwellers grow up to 2-3 feet and love deep, muddy waters where they sniff out food using their incredible sense of smell. Their silver-gray skin is built for stealth in the murky depths.
Day 10: Bluegill
Bluegill are small, round fish with shiny, iridescent bodies and a distinctive black spot on their gill covers. Typically 6-10 inches long, they gather in shallow, sunny waters filled with aquatic plants. Don’t let their size fool you—these colorful little guys are a cornerstone of the river’s ecosystem!
Day 11: White Crappie
White crappies are medium-sized fish, about 8-12 inches long, with silvery bodies covered in dark, speckled patterns. They prefer hanging out in schools near fallen trees or underwater structures. Known for their paper-thin mouths, these stylish swimmers are both graceful and great at hiding!
Day 12: Rainbow Darter
Rainbow darters are small, vibrant fish, rarely more than 3 inches long, with electric blue and orange stripes. They thrive in clean, fast-moving streams, darting around rocks and gravel. These tiny bursts of color are a delight to spot and a sign of healthy water quality.
