Fish

2001 Fish Inventory

NPS

The primary habitat for fish in Devils Tower National Monument is the Belle Fourche River. Within its banks, the many varieties of fish are an integral part of the food cycle within the Devils Tower ecosystem.

The river creates an ecotone known as a riparian corridor (ecotone is where two habitats meet). These riparian corridors are crucial habitats for all manner of organisms. With the red sandstone cliffs rising above it, the Belle Fourche River is a small but beautiful part of the park. For fishing enthusiasts, the Belle Fourche River within the park is open to fish, pursuant to state fishing regulations.

LEGEND:
C = Common
F = Fairly Common
U = Uncommon
R = Rare
* = Often Seen by Most Visitors
? = Status Unknown
X = Formerly Occurred Here
N = Not Native to the Area
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Bony fishes -(Osteichthyes)

Minnows - (Cyprinidae)

• Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) C/N
• Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) U
• Flathead chub (Playgobio gracilis) U
• Sand shiner (Notropis ludibundus) C

Suckers - (Catostomidae)

• White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) C
• Shorthead (northern) redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) U

Bullhead catfishes (Ictaluridae)

• Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) C
• Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) C
• Stonecat (Noturus flavus) U

Sunfishes - (Centrarchidae)

• Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) U/N
• Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) C/N
• Kiver, Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) C/N

Perches - (Percidae)

• Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) R/N