RS-14-029, Status of Fish Communities and Sport Fishery in the Kankakee River and Tributary Streams: 2005 Basin Survey
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Region II, Fisheries Streams Program 5931 Fox River Drive Piano, Illinois 60548 I April 2008 Stephen M. Pescitelli and Robert C. Rung Summary During July 2005, fish surveys were conducted at thirteen stations on the Kankakee River mainstem and eleven stations on 10 tributary streams. Sampling sites for the 2005 survey were similar to those used for previous basin surveys in 2000 and in 1994. Fish were collected using boat electrofishing, backpack electrofishing, electric seine and standard seining. For all stations combined we collected a total of 76 species from 17 families, including four non-native species and one unidentified lamprey ammocoete.
In addition to carp and goldfish, two non-natives were collected which have not been previously recorded, white perch and threadfin shad (out of natural range in Illinois).
No Asian carp or round goby were collected.
A total of 5,630 fish, representing1 4 families and 68 species, were collected for all gears combined on the mainstem of the Kankakee River in 2005. Two State-listed species were found, river redhorse and starhead topminnow.
A total of 5,349 fish were collected at all tributary stations combined, representing 41 species and 8 families.
Ironcolor shiner was the only state listed species found in the tributary collections.
Results of the 2005 basin survey indicate that fish communities and conditions in the Kankakee River have shown no significant changes since the last major survey conducted in 2000. Only minor changes were noted between 1994 and 2000, suggesting relatively stable conditions within the system over the last 11 years. No significant differences were found in mean IBI or species number for tributary or mainstem stations among the three basin surveys 1994,2000, and 2004, with the exception of mean IBI for the 1994 mainstem collection.
This mean score was significantly lower than the others, however, this difference appeared to be related to higher water levels during thel 994 survey. Based on the 2005 survey, sportfish populations in the Kankakee River are in very good condition.
Smallmouth bass were the single most numerous species, game or non-game, collected on the mainstem.
Catch rate in 2005 was the highest recorded, including all surveys back to 1975. The number of larger-sized smallmouth bass (>=1 4 inches) also increased in 2005 and was at the highest recorded level to date. Both the overall catch rate and catch rate of larger fish showed significant increases over the period form 1975 to 2005. In addition, abundance was high for of young-of-the-year in both the mainstem and tributary stations for 2005. Channel catfish catch rate increased in 2005 after a relatively low period of abundance dating back to 1981. The channel catfish population was composed primarily of larger individuals, with few younger fish present, suggesting poor reproductive success in recent years. Examination of catch rate for rockbass and channel catfish from 1975 to 2005 showed no significant changes, therefore observed patterns may represent
'normal'population cycles. Although there has been much discussion and concern regarding sand movement into the Illinois portion of the Kankakee River from Indiana, evaluation of fish community and sportfish data from the 2005 basin survey suggest that the Kankakee River remains a high quality, diverse ecosystem.
However, this survey was not designed specifically to evaluate the effects of sand. The Kankakee Rivers is acknowledged as one of the most diverse, high quality systems in Illinois, and therefore should be a high priority for protection and improvement.
Existing monitoring programs should be continued or expanded.-I-Introduction The Kankakee River Basin was surveyed in 2005 by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). This study was performed as part of a statewide monitoring program to measure the health of Illinois streams using data from routine sampling of fish communities, macroinvertebrates, habitat, water and sediment quality. Data from basin surveys is also very important for use in watershed and fisheries management applications.
This report summarizes results of the fish surveys, including species composition, distribution, and evaluation of stream quality. Results from 2005 were also compared to previous surveys to determine current status and identify trends for the Kankakee River watershed, one of the best larger river systems in the State.Watershed Description The Kankakee River drains an area of 5,165 square miles, running for a total of 150 miles from its origin near South Bend Indiana to its confluence with the Des Plaines River near Wilmington, IL (Bhowmik and Demissie 2000). In Illinois, the river is 59 miles in length, with a drainage area of 2,169 square miles, encompassing nearly all of Kankakee County, a large portion of Will County, and a small area of Grundy County (Figure 1). The Iroquois River is the largest tributary to the Kankakee, with its confluence near Aroma Park, IL. (The Iroquois River was surveyed as part of a separate study, see Lutterbie and Thomas 2006). Other major tributaries to the Kankakee River include Singleton Ditch, Trim Creek, Baker Creek/Exline Slough, Rock Creek, Horse Creek, Forked Creek and Prairie Creek. The mainstem of the river has been extensively channelized in Indiana, but remains largely unmodified in Illinois (Bhowmik and Demisse 2000). A 12-foot high dam in the city of Kankakee creates a pool that extends upstream to approximately Aroma Park (approximately 6 miles). The Kankakee Dam fragments the upper and lower section of the river due to the lack of fish passage. Another dam at Wilmington impounds a shorter segment of the river (- 2 miles). Limited fish passage may occur through a breached mill race dam at Wilmington.
A third mainstem dam in Momence extends across only one channel, leaving the other channel free-flowing.
The upper Kankakee River in Illinois has a relatively low gradient (Figure 2), meandering through a large floodplain forest known as the Momence Wetlands.
From Singleton Ditch to Aroma Park the river is somewhat higher gradient .The substrate upstream of Kankakee is mostly bedrock with some areas of gravel/cobble and naturally occurring sand substrate.
Areas of sand have reportedly expanded in recent years in the Momence Wetlands and from Aroma Park downstream to the Kankakee Dam within the six mile pool (Bowmik and Demissee 2001). Downstream of the city of Kankakee, the river increases in gradient from 2.5, up to 4 ft/mile (Figure 2). The Kankakee River State Park river segment has the highest gradient (IDNR 1998) with numerous riffles, small pools and islands. In addition to extensive bedrock runs, the substrate includes gravel and cobble areas. Downstream of the Des Plaines Conservation Area, the gradient decreases and the river becomes slow moving and more lake-like before joining with the Des Plaines River. Landuse in the watershed is primarily agriculture, covering approximately 75% of land area (IDNR 1998).Methods Fish surveys were conducted at the 13 historic stations on the mainstem of the Kankakee River (Figure 1) from July 19 to July 22, 2005. Eleven tributary stations, (Figure 1) were sampled from July 12 to July 22, 2005. Sampling sites for the 2005 survey were the same as those used in 2000 and in 1994 (Pescitelli and Rung 2003) with the exception of Spring Creek and Black Walnut Creek which were added in 2005. Collection information and sampling dates for each station appear in Table 1. Stream flow was below mean daily stream flow during both sampling periods, based on records from USGS Gaging Stations Wilmington (Figure 3).Fish were collected using boat electrofishing, backpack electrofishing, electric seine and standard seining. Locations on the mainstem of the River were sampled using a boat equipped with a 3500 watt -3 phase generator (AC). Supplemental collections were made at boat sites using a backpack electrofishing unit (AC) and minnow seine. Boat electrofishing at each station consisted of two 30 minutes runs, one along each bank.Backpack electrofishing was performed for a period of approximately 30 minutes at each station in shallow areas not accessible by boat. Shallow, open areas were sampled at each station by a standard 30 ft. bag seine with 1/4 inch mesh. Collection effort for the seine consisted of three 50 ft. hauls, or the equivalent area. All tributary stations were sampled using a 30 ft. electric seine, powered by a single-phase, 1600 watt generator (Bayley et al.1989). At electric seine stations, upstream and downstream limits of each sampling station were blocked by nets to prevent fish escape and/or entry into the station during sampling.Length of the sampling station was roughly 15-20 times stream width. Sampling progressed in an upstream direction.
For all methods, larger fish specimens were weighed, measured and returned to the stream. Smaller individuals were preserved and identified in the laboratory.
Voucher specimens for each species at each location were sent to the Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois and the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois.Species abundance at each location are reported along with total number of species and total number of individuals.
Each location was also evaluated using the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI)(Smogor 2004). The IBI is a widely-used stream quality measurement based on attributes of the fish assemblage including:
number and types of species present,, food, habitat, and spawning and preferences and tolerance to degradation.
These attributes are evaluated using ten parameters or metrics, based on comparison to established reference conditions for unmodified streams. IBI scores range from 0-60 with higher scores indicating better quality. At boat stations, data from backpack electrofishing was used only for species occurrence, and was excluded from IBI calculations (the IBI is not calibrated for the addition of backpack electrofishing gear and this gear was not used in previous surveys).
The IBI developed by Smogor (2004) was intended for use primarily on wadable streams up to 100 feet in width, although results can be extrapolated for larger streams and rivers, we also calculated IBI values for the mainstem stations using a variation of the large river IBI (Lyons et al. 2001) modified for use in Illinois.
Results from the 2005 survey were compared to previous surveys in 1994 and 2000. IBI values from historic surveys were re-calculated using the revised procedure (Smogor 2004) and or large river IBI for historic mainstem collections.
Results Fish were collected from a total of 24 stations throughout the Kankakee River basin, W including 13 mainstem and 11 tributary locations (Figure 2, Table 1). For all stations combined we collected a total of 76 species from 17 families, including four non-native species and one unidentified lamprey ammocoete (Tables 2 and 3). In addition to carp and goldfish, two non-natives were collected which have not been previously recorded, white perch and threadfin shad (out of natural range in Illinois).
No Asian carp or round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) were collected.
The total number of native species was similar to totals or previous IDNR/IEPA basin surveys from 1994 and 2000 (Table 2).Mainstem Species Abundance and Distribution.
A total of 5,630 fish, representing 14 families and 68 species, were collected for all gears combined on the mainstem of the Kankakee River in 2005 (Table 3). Boat elctrofishing (60 minutes/station) yielded 58 species and 3,930 individuals, producing 12 species not collected by other techniques (Table 5). We also collected 598 fish from 38 species in seine hauls (3 hauls/station), with only 2 gear-specific species captured.
Backpack electrofishing (15 minutes/station) produced 1,101 individuals and 41 species, with 6 unique species not found by other gears (Table 5). Two State-listed species (Illinois Endangered Species Board 2004) were found, river redhorse captured by boat electrofishing, and starhead topminnow, collected by seine.The cyprinid family (minnows and carps) was the most diverse group on the mainstem with 19 species collected (all gears combined)(Tables 5 and 6), and a total of 1,175 individuals, or 20% of the total catch. Although the sunfishes (Centrachidae) had fewer species (11), they were the most abundant family, with 1,563 individuals, 26% of the total catch. The sucker family (Catostomidae) was also well represented with 1,354 individuals (23% of total) and 13 species collected by all methods combined (Table 3). The eight most common species in order of abundance were: smallmouth bass, golden redhorse, shorthead redhorse, gizzard shad, bluegill, johnny darter, spotfin shiner, and bluntnose minnow (Table 6). All of these species had widespread distributions, and with the exception of bluegill and gizzard shad, were found at each of the 13 mainstem locations (Tables 3 and 6). Bluegill were found at 12 locations while gizzard shad were not as widely distributed, appearing at only 8 locations.
Almost 80% of the gizzard shad collected were found at one location (F-1 4), a very low gradient location near the mouth of the river.Several other species were found at all sampling locations (100% occurrence) but had lower overall abundance including:
channel catfish, longear sunfish, largemouth bass, and rock bass (Tables 3 and 6). Other wide-spread species (occurrence
<75%), in order of total abundance, were: banded darter, silver redhorse, carp, brook silverside, logperch, green sunfish, northern hogsucker, and quillback.
Twenty-three species had limited distributions, occurring a three stations or less (>25% occurrence)(Tables 3 and 6), accounting for >1% of the total catch, numerically.
The state threatened river redhorse occurred at 8 locations with 53 individuals collected.
Starhead topminnow, a state endangered species was found two locations, where only three specimens were recorded.Species richness at individual stations ranged from 23 to 44 (Table 3), whereas the range of total abundance ranged from 264 to 865. The greatest number of species (44)were collected at F-01, below the Wilmington Dam. This location has very high gradient, diverse habitat, and direct connection to the Illinois River. The highest abundance was at F-14, a very low gradient area near the confluence, with low habitat diversity.
High abundance at this location was primarily due to the presence of dense populations of gizzard shad.Stream Quality -Index of Biotic Integrity.
Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores were calculated for 2005 using boat electrofishing and seine data. Values were obtained using both the extrapolated Smogor (2004) method and modified Lyons et al (2001) method for large river habitats.
The mean and range for both indices were very similar (Table 7), with most stations showing very similar scores. A simple one way ANOVA revealed no significant difference between the two scores (F=0.1589; p=0.69). Results from both indices suggest that the mainstem of the Kankakee River has a high degree of biotic integrity with many of the stations scoring near the top of the 60 point scale for each method. Both methods also indicated lower integrity for the low gradient station near the mouth (F-14), where silty conditions, lack of flow, and low habitat diversity resulted in reduced IBI scores, due in part to a higher proportion of tolerant species (Table 4).Using the results from the Smogor (2004) method, IBI scores for mainstem stations in 2005 were compared to results for previous basin surveys in 1994 and 2000 (Table 8).Two-way ANOVA (Station x Year) revealed no significant station effects but did indicate significant difference between years (P=0.007).
Post hoc t-tests found differences in mean IBI between 1994 and both of the other years, but no significant difference between 2000 and 2004 (Table 8).Sportfish.
Smallmouth bass were the most numerous sport species, with 696 individuals collected, most of which (n=618) were caught by boat electrofishing (Tables 5 and 6).Catch rate for all stations (number of fish per 60 minutes boat electrofishing) was 47.5, the highest catch rate over the period from 1975 to 2000 (Figure 4a). Catch rate for all 13 stations over that same period was 15.7 (boat electrofishing data only). Although catch has been variable, inclusion of the high catch in 2005 resulted in a significant increase (P=0.006) in smallmouth bass catch rate over the collection period (1975-2005).
Approximately 43% of the fish captured were <6 inches (Figure 6), most of which were from the 2004 year class. Mean catch rate of stock-sized fish (>7 inches) (Anderson and Neumann 1996) was 28.3. A large percentage of the mainstem population were in the 9-11 inch length range; the typical size range for 3 year-old fish in Northern Illinois.
Catch rate for smallmouth bass 14 inches or larger (preferred size, Anderson and Neumann 1996) was 3.7 fish per hour. The number of preferred-sized individuals captured per hour has increased over the last few collections and is nearly twice as high as pre-1986 levels, showing a significant increase over the period since 1975 (P=0.00014)(Figure 4b).Smallmouth bass were more abundant at the higher gradient locations (Figure 2) within the Kankakee River State Park (F-07,F-1 3, F-04) and Momence Island Park (F-02). The State Park locations yielded over 100 bass per 60 minutes, whereas at Momence, 77 bass were captured (60 minutes) (Table 3).For all mainstem stations the channel catfish catch rate was 11.0 fish per hour, which was also the highest recorded over the period 1975 -2000 (Figure 5). Channel catfish were found at all locations, but were similar to smallmouth bass in that they were more abundant at the higher gradient stations (Momence and the State park area).However, unlike smallmouth bass, the channel catfish population was dominated by large, older individuals (Figure 7) with 72% measuring 16 inches or larger. Catch rate was relatively low since 1986 but increased in both 2000 and 2005. However, no significant trend was observed over the collection period from 1975-2005 (Figure 5).Rock bass, walleye, and northern pike also showed no significant (P=0.05) trends over the collection period from 1975-2005 (Figure 5). Catch rate for rock bass increased in 2005, compared to 2000, but the mean catch rate for 2005 (7.5 per hour) was near the long term mean for the mainstem (5.5 per hour). No size class was dominant in the population and no individuals over 9 inches were collected (Figure 8). Catch rate of fish 7 inches or larger (quality size) was 2.2 per hour. The highest number of rock bass (n=22)was collected at Langham Island (F-1 3). Walleye catch has increased over the last two surveys in 2000 and 2005, increasing from very low levels observed in 1994. However, mean catch rate in 2005 was only 1.7 per hour. Northern pike catch rate has been consistently low in the Kankakee River manistem overthe period since 1975. In 2005, nine individuals were captured, most of which were in the upstream, low gradient area of the river near the state line.Although bluegill were relatively abundant in the mainstem (n=396), the population was composed primarily of small individuals, 60% of which were 2 inches or less.Largemouth bass has a similar size distribution with very few adults present. Both of the these species were more abundant in the low gradient areas near the state line and near the confluence with the Des Plaines River.Tributaries Species Abundance and Distribution.
A total of 5,349 fish were collected at all tributary stations combined, representing 41 species and 8 families (Tables 9 and 11). Ironcolor shiner was the only state listed species found in the tributary collections, with a total of 47 individuals captured at 2 locations, Spring Creek (n=46) and Trim Creek (n=l)(Table 11).The Minnows (Cyprinidae) were the most diverse family with 15 native species, accounting for over 70% of the total abundance.
Common carp was the only non-native captured in the tributary stations.Striped shiner, central stoneroller, hornyhead chub, bluntnose minnow, rainbow darter, rock bass, and smallmouth bass were the were the seven most abundant species collected at all Kankakee River tibutary stations in 2005 (Table 9). Six of these species had wide-spread distributions, occurring at 9 or more out of the 11 locations sampled.Rainbow darter was collected at only 4 locations (Table 11). Darters were relatively abundant comprising 11.5% of the total catch with johnny darter and banded darter having the most widespread distributions, occurring at 64% and 54% of the sites, respectively.
A total of 780 sunfishes were captured; 14.5 percent of the total collection.
Rockbass and smallmouth bass were very wide spread with longear sunfish and green sunfish also occurring at many locations (Tables 9 and 11).The total number of species collected in 2005 was variable among collection sites, with the highest number found in Spring Creek (n=24) and the lowest number occurring at FFB-01 in Rock Creek (n=9)(Table 11). Overall, stations in the Rock Creek drainage (Figure 2) had relatively low species numbers. Horse Creek (FC-01 and FCC-01) had higher number of species, with 20 or more at each location (Table 11). Despite the addition of two stations in 2005, the species total was lower than previous surveys conducted in 2000 and 1994. Comparison of species totals using only stations sampled in all three basin surveys showed the number of species decreased from 44 in 1994 to 38 in 2005 (Table 10). However, differences in mean species number among years for tributary stations was not significant (one-way ANOVA, P=0.38) and appear to be due largely to the absence of suckers and a few other select species in the 2000 and 2005 surveys (Pescitelli and Rung 2003).Stream Quality -Index of Biotic Integrity.
IBI scores for the tributary stations ranged from 50 at Spring Creek (FM-01) to 29 for the South Branch Rock Creek (FFB-01)(Table 13). No tributary station had a difference of > 5 points, comparing 2000 and 2005 collections (Table 11), indicating no significant change in IBI (Smogor 2004). Although mean IBI scores for all tributary stations combined declined slightly over the period from 1994 to 2005, one-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference among years (Table 13).Sportfish.
Rock bass and smallmouth bass were the most abundant sportfish species found at tributary stations.
A total of 305 rock bass were collected in 6.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> of electrofishing for a catch rate of 46.9 fish per hour. They were present at every location except Prairie Creek. Highest catch rates were found in Rock Creek, where over 170 fish were captured for both stations combined (Table 11). The population was composed of mostly young individuals
< 4 inches in length (Figure 8), indicating high reproductive success. Smallmouth were also wide spread, and were found at all locations except Black Walnut Creek and Exline Slough which were very narrow and/or shallow. Smallmouth bass were also abundant in Rock Creek, but Horse Creek had the highest abundance for a single station (FCC-01) where 82 fish were collected.
Overall catch rate for smallmouth bass in all tributaries combined was 37.2 fish per hour. Size distribution for smallmouth bass was very similar to rock bass, with small individuals making up a large portion of the total abundance (Figure 9), indicating successful reproduction.
Catch rate was much higher for rock bass in 2005 (46.9/hr) than observed in 2000 (20.7/hr).
Catch rate for smallmouth bass was only slightly higher in 2005 (37.2/hr) than in 2000 (30.2/hr)(Pescitelli and Rung 2003). No channel catfish were collected at the tributary stations.Discussion Results of the 2005 basin survey indicate that fish communities and conditions in the Kankakee River have shown no significant changes since the last major survey conducted in 2000. Pescitelli and Rung (2003) also found only minor changes between 1994 and 2000, suggesting relatively stable conditions within the system over the last 11 years. Although there have been concerns about the diminishing quality in the Kankakee River (Ivans et al. 1981, Bhowmik and Demissie 2001, Pescitelli and Rung 2003), these recent studies, and evaluation of mainstem data back to 1975, show no major change at the locations sampled over that period.The number of native species is a useful ecological indicator in both aquatic and terrestrial systems, with higher species numbers indicating better conditions.
In the Kankakee River watershed the number of native fish species ranged from 72 to 78 over three major basin surveys, 1994, 2000, and 2005 (Table 2). For all three basin surveys combined, a total of 98 different species have been collected.
Page et al (1992) reported 89 species for the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers. Species totals were much lower for other Northeastern Illinois Basin surveys including the Fox River (68 species) and Des Plaines River (57 species).
No significant changes or trends in species number or composition were noted at tributary of mainstem stations for the three basin surveys 1994-2005. Many of the year to year differences in species number were due to the capture of rarer species with limited distributions.
Several State listed species were captured in the mainstem, including starhead topminnow and river redhorse, whose populations have been very stable since 1975 (Pescitelli and Rung 2003). Ironcolor shiner, another listed species was relatively abundant in Spring Creek. Two new non-native species were recorded for the Kankakee River in 2005 including white perch and threadfin shad, however, no Asian carps were found.The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is another widely accepted indicator of stream quality (Simon and Lyons 1995). Analysis of IBI scores over the basin survey period from 1994 to 2005, indicated not major changes in stream quality in the Kankakee Basin. Two different indices were used to evaluate results for the 2005 Kankakee River mainstem survey. Smogor (2004) is commonly used in Illinois, but was developed primarily for wadable streams, and requires extrapolation for streams wider than 100 feet. Therefore, we also used an IBI developed for use on larger rivers in Wisconsin (Lyons et al. 2001) and modified for use in Illinois.
Both indices showed very similar scores for individual stations and no significant difference between means was found for 2005 (Table 7). Results from both methods indicate a high level of biotic integrity in the mainstem of the Kankakee River, with scores at many locations near the maximum possible point total (60) for both indices.Evaluation of scores for the mainstem showed an increase in mean IBI in both 2000 and 2005 (Table 8) compared to 1994. Although the mean score for IBI was significantly lower in 1994 than the more recent surveys in 2000 and 2004, this difference may be due to higher water levels during the mainstem survey in 1994. Discharge levels during fish collections in 2000 and 2005 were at or below the long term daily means (2200-2500 cfs)for early July, whereas discharge was near 6000 cfs levels during the July1994 fish survey (USGS). Deeper water and faster flows may have reduced electrofishing efficiency and effected IBI results for 1994.Conditions in tributary stations also showed no major changes since the 2000 survey. Number of species collected and mean IBI scores were very similar between 2000 and 2005 (Tables 10 and 13). In addition, no significant differences were observed in mean IBI over the entire basin survey sampling period from 1994 to 2005. Although species diversity has declined slightly over that same period, the changes were not statistically significant.
We observed no major changes in habitat conditions within the tributaries since 1994, therefore, the differences in species numbers appear to be related to water levels and sampling season effects (Pescitelli and Rung 2003). Water levels were particularly low in the tributaries during the 2005 survey. Low water levels may force larger individuals and species out of tributaries into the main river channel (eg. suckers), resulting in lower species numbers in the tributary stations.
More comprehensive survey results, covering more locations (see Figure 1) are available for Prairie and Grant Creeks from 2005 (Rung and Pescitelli 2007) and Forked Creek from 2004 (Rung and Pescitelli 2006).Based on the 2005 survey, sportfish populations in the Kankakee River appear to be in very good condition.
Smallmouth bass were the single most numerous species, game or non-game, collected on the mainstem.
Substantial increases in overall catch rate for smallmouth bass has been observed both in 2000 and in 2005 compared to 1994.Higher flow levels (see above) may have affected smallmouth bass catch rate in 1994.Catch rate (no./hr.)
in 2005 was the highest recorded, including all surveys back to 1975.The number of larger-sized smallmouth bass (>=1 4 inches) also increased in 2005 and is at the highest recorded level, to date. Both the overall catch rate and catch rate of larger fish showed significant increases over the period form 1975 to 2005 (Figure 4 a and 4b).In addition, abundance was high for of young-of-the-year in both the mainstem and tributary stations for 2005, indicating successful reproduction.
Mean annual flow for the mainstem was somewhat lower over the period 1999-2005 (4400 cfs) than the previous 7-year period (6600 cfs). Lower, more stable water levels may have contributed to reproductive success, resulting in higher numbers of smallmouth bass in recent years.Catch rate for rockbass and channel catfish also increased in 2005. Young-of-the-year rockbass were very abundant, particularly in the tributaries.
Like smallmouth bass, rockbass may have benefitted from favorable stream flows as suggested by high reproductive success. Channel catfish catch rate increased in 2005 after a relatively low period of abundance dating back to 1981. The channel catfish population was composed primarily of larger individuals, with few younger fish present, perhaps suggesting poor reproductive success in recent years. Examination of catch rate for rockbass and channel catfish from 1975 to 2005 showed no significant (P=0.05) changes, therefore observed patterns may represent
'normal' population cycles. Walleye catch rate also increased in 2005, although levels were still low during basin survey collections in July. Surveys conducted in the Spring (2000-2007) for collection of brood fish for the IDNR stocking program, have shown higher catch rates, up to 60/ hr. (Lutterbie 2004, pers. comm.).Anglers have, also been reporting increased catch of walleye resulting from the supplemental stocking program initiated in 2000. A marking study conducted in fall of 2006 found that 80% of the walleye captured were native Kankakee River fish, hatched, propagated, and released by the IDNR program (G. Lutterbie, pers. comm).The high quality of biotic communities in the Kankakee River is due in large part to good water quality conditions (IEPA 2002), and the wide range of habitat types present throughout the tributaries and mainstem.
Momence Wetlands, one few areas remaining intact forested flood plains, provides habitat for fish species preferring low gradient, wetland habitats (Smith 1971). The downstream segments of the of the Kankakee River also offer a long, continuous stretch of high gradient conditions, with deep pools, riffles, runs, and side channel habitats.
This area of the river is not highly fragmented by dams like most other large rivers in Northeastern Illinois (Fox, Des Plaines, and DuPage Rivers).Although the Kankakee Riverwatershed remains largely in agricultural landuse, projections for human population growth in the South Suburban Area (Openlands 1999), including in Will County, is 125% by the year 2020. Extensive studies in Northeastern Illinois (Dreher 1996, Harris et al 2005, Pescitelli et al, 2007), and across the country (Schueler 1996, Paul and Meyer 2001), show that increased urban landcover leads to degradation of stream quality, even at levels as low as 10% urban coverage.
These factors, combined with problems due to sand sedimentation, represent serious threats to this high quality resource.
An additional problem may arise from Asian carp which are moving up the Illinois River and could enter the Kankakee River.Although there has been much discussion and concern regarding sand movement into the Illinois portion of the Kankakee River from Indiana (Ivans et al. 1981, Bhowmik and Demissie 2001), evaluation of fish community and sportfishing data from the 2005 basin survey suggest that the Kankakee River remains a high quality, diverse ecosystem.
However, it should be noted that this sampling program was not designed to detect local impacts from sand, which has been observed at selected sites throughout the mainstem.Following the 2000 Kankakee River Basin survey, we analyzed IBI trends for boat electrofishing data at the State Line and Aroma Park (Pescitelli and Rung 2003), areas indicated by Bhowmik and Demissie (2001) as having a fairly high loss of storage capacity due to sand. Based on that analysis, we found no significant decrease in IBI at these stations for the period from 1975 to 2000 (Pescitelli and Rung 2003). Addition of 2005 data to this analysis did not change the previous observations and there was no decrease in IBI. Evaluation of individual IBI metrics and at selected stations also revealed no identifiable trends. Previous studies in the Kankakee River have indicated lower biotic diversity in areas of sand versus larger-grained substrate (Brigham et al. 1981), however, the extent of sand coverage has not been fully determined and shifting of the sand makes evaluation difficult.
The 2005 Kankakee River Basin survey is the third extensive evaluation of the watershed performed as part of the IDNR/IEPA statewide monitoring program. Results from this program allows evaluation of conditions over a 11 year period, using similar techniques and historic locations.
In addition, IDNR surveys have been conducted at the same 13 locations on the mainstem of the river since 1975, allowing identification of trends for both sport species and stream quality conditions over a 30 year period. Examination of long term trends is critical to understanding of the system, evaluating stressors, and ultimately for maintaining or improving conditions, therefore current survey programs should be continued or expanded.
The Kankakee River is widely acknowledged as one the better larger river systems in the State in terms of both native biodiversity (Kwak 1993, Page et al. 1992) and angling opportunities.
As such, this resource should remian a high priority for protection and enhancement.
Recommendations regarding watershed management practices have described by a number of authors (see Kwak 1993, also Bhowmik and Demissie 2000) and include such measures as: restricting channelization, clearing, and construction on streams and flood plains, protecting and restoring riparian habitat, modifying land-use practices to minimize runoff, and re-meandering
/ reconnection of the backwaters on the main river channel. Recently, there has been discussions of more proactive measures to address sand deposition in the mainstem of the river by IDNR and Army Corps of Engineers.
Regardless of the approach, it is widely agreed that all activities should integrate protection and restoration measures into a holistic, sustainable, basinwide management approach.
Acknowledgments Thanks to all those who contributed to field collection efforts especially Region 2 and 3 Fisheries Staff, Frank Veraldi of the Army Corps of Engineers, and Phil Willink of the Field Museum of Natural History. Special thanks to Jim Langbein, Regional Fisheries Biologist for his many years of effort on the Kankakee River including initiating and maintaining routine fisheries monitoring.
This study was funded in part by the USFWS Sportfish Restoration Program (F-67-R).
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Biological Assessment of Illinois Stream Quality through 1993. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency IEPA/BOW/96-058, Springfield, Illinois.Bhowmik N. G. and M. Demissie 2000. Kankakee River Basin in Illinios:
hydraulics, hydrology, river geometry, and sand bars. Interim report. Illinois State Water Survey Contract Report 2001-01. Water Science Section, Champaign, IL. 111 pp.Bhowmik, N. G. and M. Demissie 2001. River Geometry, Bank Erosion and Sand Bars within the Main Stem of the Kankakee River in Illinois and Indiana. Contract Report 2001-09, Illinois State Water Survey, Water Science Section, Champaign, IL. 111 PP.Brigham, A. R., L. B. Suloway, and L. M. Page. 1981. The effects of sedimentationon aquatic life of the Kankakee River. Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Document 81/37.Dreher, D. W. 1996. Watershed urbanization impacts on stream quality indicators in Northeastern Illinois:
Proceedings of a National Symposium assessing the cumulative impacts of watershed development on aquatic ecosystems and water quality. Chicago, Illinois, March 19-21, 1996. p. 129-135.Harris, M. A., B. C. Scudder, F. A. Fitzpatrick, T. A. Arnold, 2005. Physical, Chemical, and Biological Responses to Urbanization in the Fox and Des Plaines River Basins of Northeastern, Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin:
U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5218, 72 p.Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) 1998. Kankakee River Area Assessment.
Volume 2.: Water Resources.
Office of Scientific Research and Analysis, Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, IL. 124 pp.Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. 2004. Checklist of Endangered and Threatened Animals and Plants of Illinois.
Springfield, Illinois.Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. 2002. Illinois Water Quality Report: Clean Water Act, Section 305(b) Report. Bureau of Water, Springfield, IL.
Ivans, J. L., N. G. Bhowmik, A. R. Brigham, and D. L. Gross. 1981. The Kankakee River Yesterday and Today. Illinois State Water Survey Miscellaneous Publication 60, Champaign, Illinois.Karr. J. R., K. D. Fausch, P. L. Angermeier, P. R. Yant and I. J. Schlosser.
1986.Assessing Biological Integrity in Running Waters: A Method and Its Rational.
Illinois Natural History Survey, Special Publication 5.Karr, J. R., P. R. Yant, K. D. Fausch, I. J. Schlosser.
1987. Spatial and temporal variability of the index of biotic integrity in three Midwestern streams. Transaction of the American Fisheries Society 116: 1-11.Kwak, T. L. 1993. The Kankakee River: a case study and management recommendation for a stream diverse in habitat, fauna, and human values. Pages 123-141 in L. W.Hesse, C. B. Stalnaker, N. G. Benson, and J. R. Zuboy, eds. Proceedings of the symposium on restoration planning for the rivers of the Mississippi River ecosystem.
U. S. National Biological Surv. Biological Report 19. Washington, D. C.Lutterbie, G. W. And T. Thomas. 2003. The 2000 fish survey of the Iroquois River Basin.Illinios Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries, Springfield, Illinois.Lutterbie, G. W. 2004. Kankekee River Walleye Enhancement Project. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Gibson City, Illinois.
October 2004.Lyons, J., R. R. Piette, and K. W. Niermeyer, 2001. Development, Validation, and Application of a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity for Wisconsin's Large Warmwater Rivers. Transaction of the Americam Fisheries Society Vol. 130:1077-1092.Openlands Project. 1999. Under Pressure:
Land consumption in the Chicago Region 1998-2028.
January 1999.Page, L M., K. S. Cummings, C. A. Mayer, S. L. Post, and M. E. Retzer. 1992. An Evaluation of the Streams of Illinois Based on Aquatic Biodiversity.
Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Biodiversity, Technical Report 1992(1), Champaign, IL.Paul J. P. and J. L. Meyer, 2001. Streams in the Urban Landscape.
Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics:
Vol. 32: 333-365 Pescitelli, S. M., D. Day, and D. Sallee 1996. The Kanakakee River in Illinois:
Stream Quality and Game Species: the Tale of Two Fisheries.
Abstract, 3 4 th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, February 1996, Chicago, IL.Pescitelli, S. M., R. C. Rung, and G. W. Lutterbie.
2002. Evaluation of backpack electrofishing and seining for use as supplements to boat electrofishing on non-wadable streams. Abstract, 3 9 th meeting of the Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 2002, Moline, IL.Pescitelli, S. M., F.M. Veraldi, P. Willink, and R. C. Rung, 2008. Effects of urbanization on fish species distribution and biotic integrity in the Chicago Region: examination of patterns and potential mechanisms.
Abstract, 4 5 th meeting of the Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, February 2008, Rockford, IL.Rung, R. C. And S. M. Pescitelli 2006. Fish community surveys of the Forked Creek Watershed, August 2004. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Stream Program, Piano, IL.Rung, R. C. And S. M. Pescitelli 2007. Status of Fish Communities and Stream Quality in the Prairie and Grant Creek Watersheds, August 2005. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Stream Program, Piano, IL.Schuler, T. 1995. Site planning for urban stream protection.
Center for Watershed Protection.
December 1995.Simon, T.D. and J. Lyons. 1995. Application of index if biotic integrity to evaluate water resource integrity in freshwater ecosystems in W.S. Davis and T.P. Simon (eds.), Biological Assessmant and Criteria Tools for Water Resource Planning and Decision Making, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida, pp 245-262.Smith, P.W. 1971. Illinois Streams: a classification based on their fishes and analysis of factors responsible for disappearance of native species. Illinis Natural History Survey Biological Notes No. 76.Smogor, R. 2004. (In Prep.) Manual for Calculating Index of Biotic Integrity Scores for Streams in Illinois.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water, Springfield Illinois.
Table 1. Summary of collection information for the Kankakee River Basin Survey, 2005. Time = total time of electrofishing effort. BE = boat electrofishing, BP = Backpack electrofishing, SN = standard minnow seine, ES = Electric seine. For Kankakee River sites time includes 60 min BE plus 15 min BP.IEPA COLLECTION TIME LEGAL DESCRPTN CODE DATE STREAM METHODS (min) LOCATION COUNTY T R S F-03 19-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 DS State Line Rd Brdg Kankakee 31 N 1OW SWi F-15 19-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 River Isle Resort, 2.5 mi W Momence Kankakee 31N 13E E13 F-02 19-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 Momence Island Park at Island Kankakee 31N 13E NE24 F-06 19-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 At Rt. 17 Bridge 4 mi E Kankakee Kankakee 31N 13E SW32 F-09 20-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 In 'Aroma Park at Bridge St Kankakee 30N 13W NW23 F-12 20-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 DS Kankakee Dam Kankakee 30N 13W SE6 F-07 20-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 Kank R St Pk DS Davis Creek Kankakee 31 N 11E NE22 F-04 21-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 Kank R St Pk DS Warner Bridge Kankakee 32N 10E SE36 F-1 3 20-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 Kank R St Pk at Langham Island Kankakee 31 N 11E NE9 F-08 21-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 Custer Park at Horse Creek Will 32N 10E NW19 F-1 1 21-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 DS Wlmgtn Dam at Island Will 33N 9E SW25 F-01 21-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 DS 1-55 Bridge, 3 mi NW Wlmgtn Will 33N 9E SE9 F-14 22-Jul Kankakee River BE, BP, SN 75 Confluence Grundy 33N 8E SE1 FA-01 12-Jul Prairie Creek ES 27 US of River Rd Will 32N 9E 15NW FB-01 12-Jul Forked Creek ES 25 US of Leisure Rd in Ritchie Will 32N 10E NW17 FC-01 11-Jul Horse Creek ES 27 2.5 mi. NE Essex, Closed Brdge Kankakee 31 N 9E NE2 FCC-01 11-Jul E. Br. Horse Creek ES 39 US County Rd 2000N Kankakee 31 N 10E NW29 FF-01 13-Jul Rock Creek ES 53 Kank R St Pk DS County Rd 5000W Kankakee 32N 11E SE29 FFB-01 13-Jul S. Br. Rock Creek ES 34 DS County Rd 1000W 6930 Steger Kankakee 32N 11E SE24 FFBA-01 15-Jul Black Walnut Creek BP 36 1.0 Mi S Peotone at Kennedy rd Kankakee 33N 12E SW36 FKA-01 14-Jul Exline Slough ES 63 DS County Rd 1OO0N Kankakee 31N 13E SW30 FKA-02 22-Jul Exline Slough PE 25 5.0 Mi E Manteno at 7000 E US Kankakee 32N 13E NW16 FM-02 14-Jul Spring Creek ES 40 2.2 Mi E Aroma Pk on Boy Scout Rd Kankakee 30N 12E SW18 FQ-01 15-Jul Trim Creek ES 20 DS County Rd 7000N Kankakee 31 N 14E NW31 Ta0 Summary of fish collection results 1994-2005 Kankakee River Basin Surveys, inclJ Il mainstem and tributary stations and all gears types combined; total number of ins for each species and basin totals for individuals and species.Common name Scientific name 2005 2000 1994 Common name Scientific name 2005 2000 1994 Unidentified lamprey Shortnose gar Longnose gar Bowfin American eel Skipjack herring Gizzard shad Threadfin shad*Goldeye Mooneye Central mudminnow Grass pickerel Northern pike Goldfish*Carp*Golden shiner Southern redbelly dace Creek chub Hornyhead chub Central stoneroller Suckermouth minnow Blacknose dace Brassy minnow Striped shiner Redfin shiner Spotfin shiner Steelcolor shiner Red shiner Fathead minnow Bluntnose minnow Bullhead minnow Emerald shiner Rosyface shiner Weed shiner Ironcolor shiner Sand shiner Mimic shiner Spottail shiner Silverjaw minnow Bigmouth buffalo Smallmouth buffalo Black buffalo Quillback River carpsucker Highfin carpsucker White sucker Spotted sucker Northern hoo sucker Petromyzontidae sp.Lepisosteus platostomus Lepisosteus osseus Amia calva Anguilla rostrata Alosa chrysochloris Dorosoma cepedianum Dorosoma petenense Hiodon alosoides Hiodon tergisus Umbra limi Esox americanus Esox lucius Carassius auratus Cyprinus carpio Notemigonus crysoleucas Phoxinus erythrogaster Semotilus atromaculatus Nocomis biguttatus Campostoma anomalum Phenacobius mirabilis Rhinichthys atratulus Hybognathus hankinsoni Luxilus chrysocephalus Lythrurus umbratilus Cyprinella spiloptera Cyprinella whipplei Cyprinella lutrensis Pimephales promelas Pimephales notatus Pimephales vigilax Notropis atherinoides Notropis rubellus Notropis texanus Notropis chalybaeus Notropis ludibundus Notropis volucellus Notropis hudsonius Notropis buccatus Ictiobus cyprinellus Ictiobus bubalus Ictiobus niger Carpiodes cyprinus Carpiodes carpio Carpiodes velifer Catostomus commersoni Minytrema melanops Li.-.,- --. :. --x x x x x x x x X River redhorse x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Shorthead redhorse X Black redhorse X Golden redhorse X Silver redhorse X Channel catfish X Yellow bullhead Black bullhead Brown bullhead X Flathead catfish Stonecat X Tadpole madtom X Slender madtom Trout-perch X Pirate perch X Starhead topminnow Blackstripe topminnow X Brook silverside X White bass X Yellow bass X White perch*X Black crappie X White crappie X Rock bass X Largemouth bass X Smallmouth bass X Warmouth X Green sunfish X Bluegill X Pumpkinseed X Longear sunfish X Orangespotted sunfish X Walleye Sauger Blackside darter X Slenderhead darter X Logperch X Johnny darter X Bluntnose darter X Banded darter X Rainbow darter X Orangethroat darter X Fantail darter X Least darter X Freshwater drum x Moxostoma carinatum Moxostoma macrolepidotum Moxostoma duquesnei Moxostoma erythrurum Moxostoma anisurum Ictalurus punctatus Ameiurus natalis Ameiurus melas Ameiurus nebulosus Pylodictis olivaris Noturus flavus Noturus gyrinus Noturus exilis Percopsis omiscomaycus Aphredoderus sayanus Fundulus notti Fundulus notatus Labidesthes sicculus Morone chrysops Morone mississippiensis Morone americana Pomoxis nigromaculatus Pomoxis annularis Ambloplites rupestris Micropterus salmoides Micropterus dolomieu Lepomis gulosus Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis gibbosus Lepomis megalotis Lepomis humilis Stizostedion vitreum Stizostedion canadense Percina maculata Percina phoxocephala Percina caprodes Etheostoma nigrum Etheostoma chlorosomum Etheostoma zonale Etheostoma caeruleum Etheostoma spectabile Etheostoma flabellare Etheostoma microperca Aplodinotus grunniens x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X Total species Native species 76 72 A4 80 78 75 74 I~~~~~ Non-naItiveII spec:.,fhI es ArUI~dI~ IJt I Table 3. Summary of catch at each Kankakee River mainstem station for each species for all methods combined.
Each station sampled for 60 minutes by boat electrofishing, 15 minutes by backpack electrofishing and three seine hauls.River Isle Moece Rt 17 Aroma Kank. KKRSP -KKRSP -Werner Horse Wilm- Con-Stateline Camp Grd RsPark Dam Davis Ck land Bridge Creek ington fluence Family Common name TOTA F-03 F-15 F-02 F-06 F-09 F-12 F-07 F-13 F-04 F-08 F-11 F-01 F-14 L Lepisosteidae Longnose gar 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 3 2 2 0 0 Amiidae Bowfin 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Clupeidae Gizzard shad 437 1 0 1 0 0 5 2 0 0 7 24 56 341 Threadfin shad 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grass pickerel 6 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Esocidae Northern pike 9 3 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Goldfish 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Carp 90 25 10 9 0 5 5 4 5 1 3 6 3 14 Cyprinidae Golden shiner 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 Creek chub 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hornyhead chub 9 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 Central stoneroller 11 0 0 0 0 2 7 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 Suckermouth minnow 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Striped shiner 44 0 0 0 0 2 1 5 1 0 0 0 27 8 Redfin shiner 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spotfin shiner 325 22 56 8 17 71 29 13 2 13 42 15 6 31 Red shiner 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bluntnose minnow 266 8 28 1 18 19 27 5 9 9 33 25 16 68 Bullhead minnow 56 6 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 47 Emerald shiner 117 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 7 0 70 9 3 Rosyface shiner 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 0 Sand shiner 72 0 2 0 5 49 1 4 0 1 5 0 3 2 Mimic shiner 146 0 0 0 0 1 13 0 2 7 67 11 42 3 Spottail shiner 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 Silverjaw minnow 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Catostomidae Bigmouth buffalo 20 9 8 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Smallmouth buffalo 14 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 Black buffalo 13 1 1 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 1 0 Quillback 45 1 1 9 5 10 4 4 2 0 1 0 1 7 River carpsucker 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 White sucker 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spotted sucker 4 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Northern hog sucker 47 5 1 3 3 2 4 0 2 14 6 5 2 0 River redhorse 53 0 0 16 1 0 17 1 0 5 3 4 6 0 Shorthead redhorse 465 23 17 116 26 15 50 71 22 74 20 28 1 2 Black redhorse 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 0 20 3 0 Golden redhorse 556 21 8 40 48 56 22 49 17 36 70 57 83 49 Silver redhorse 100 13 15 13 17 18 6 4 0 5 5 0 4 0 Ictaluridae Channel catfish 151 6 3 19 3 13 8 14 24 26 4 13 9 9 Yellow bullhead 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 Black bullhead 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Flathead catfish 8 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 Stonecat 13 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 4 4 1 0 Aphredoderidae Pirate perch 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a a a Table 3. Continued Total F-03 F-15 F-02 F-06 F-09 F-12 F-07 F-13 F-04 F-08 F-11 F-01 F-14 Cyprinodontidae Starhead topminnow 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blackstripe topminnow 10 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 Antherinidae Brook silverside 85 4 4 2 5 1 0 8 1 0 1 10 27 22 Moronidae White perch 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Centrarchidae Black crappie 19 14 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 White crappie 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rock bass 97 6 2 7 11 3 6 3 22 7 10 12 7 1 Largemouth bass 123 26 12 2 15 4 10 1 2 4 2 18 10 17 Smallmouth bass 696 5 24 77 32 21 59 111 112 102 60 42 25 26 Warmouth 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Green sunfish 58 2 7 1 21 3 0 5 0 1 4 2 6 6 Bluegill x Green sunfish hyb. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Bluegill 392 106 24 11 24 8 4 12 2 1 0 10 31 159 Pumpkinseed 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Longear sunfish 138 15 6 2 38 6 3 7 4 12 20 22 2 1 Orangespotted sunfish 34 15 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 3 3 Percidae Walleye 22 0 0 0 1 0 3 9 5 1 0 3 0 0 Sauger 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Blackside darter 41 0 0 3 0 2 1 9 3 1 11 5 6 0 Slenderhead darter 37 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 3 4 3 22 0 Logperch 80 0 0 3 0 4 10 7 3 1 3 11 33 5 Johnny darter 389 4 19 3 34 195 19 47 7 14 25 13 8 1 Banded darter 140 1 0 0 1 12 50 5 6 11 14 29 10 1 Rainbow darter 50 0 0 0 0 10 15 1 2 0 9 12 1 0 Scaenidae Freshwater drum 32 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 3 4 2 4 14 Total fish 5630 354 264 349 343 549 390 443 267 371 442 516 477 865 Total species 68 32 31 23 32 33 34 34 27 29 30 44 37 31 Table 4. Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) results for tributary stations, 2005 Kankakee River Basin Survey. Includes actual values for each metric and scores, in parentheses, and total score for each location.
Total possible range for IBI score is 0-60.F-03 F-15 F-02 F-06 F-09 F-12 F-07 F-13 F-04 F-08 F-11 F-01 F-14 Native fish species 30(6) 30(6) 22(5) 32(6). 32(6) 33(6) 33(6) 26(6) 28(6) 29(6) 42(6) 35(6) 30(6)Native minnow species 3(3) 4(4) 3(3) 6(6). 7(6) 8(6) 8(6) 5(5) 6(6) 4(4) 9(6) 7(6) 8(6)Native sucker species 9(6) 8(6) 6(6) 10(6) 8(6) 7(6) 6(6) 5(5) 6(6) 7(6) 7(6) 10(6) 5(5)Native sunfish species 10(6) 8(5) 6(4) 8(5) 8(5) 5(4) 6(4) 5(4) 6(4) 5(4) 7(5) 7(5) 8(5)Benthic invertivore species 9(6) 7(5) 8(5) 9(6). 11 (6) t13(6) 10(6) 11 (6) 12(6) 13(6) 15(6) 15(6) 7(5)Intolerant species 4(4) 3(3) 2(2) 4(4) 6(6) 5(5) 5(5) 7(6) 6(6) 5(5) 8(6) 7(6) 3(3)Prop. specialist benthic invertivores 0.19 (3) 0.23 (4) 0.56 (6) 0.38 (6). 0.58 (6) 0.50 (6) 0.44(6) 0.25(4) 0.46 (6) 0.38 (6) 0.36 (6) 0.38 (6) 0.07 (1)Prop. geneneralist feeders 0.54(5) 0.55 (5) 0.17 (6) 0.30(6). 0.34 (6) 0.26 (6) 0.17(6) 0.18 (6) 0.16 (6) 0.38 (6) 0.23 (6) 0.43 (6) 0.83 (2)Prop. mineral-substrate spawners 0.21 (3) 0.26 (4) 0.80 (6) 0.41 (6). 0.26 (4) 0.52 (6) 0.61 (6) 0.73 (6) 0.69 (6) 0.45 (6) 0.41 (6) 0.47 (6) 0.11 (2)Prop. tolerant species 0.10 (6) 0.10 (6) 0.14 (6) 0.12(6). 0.12 (6) 0.06 (6) 0.21 (5) 0.08(6) 0.11 (6) 0.14(6) 0.10 (6) 0.09 (6) 0.10 (6)Extrapolated IBI 48 48 49 57 57 57 56 54 58 55 59 59 41 Table 5. Summary of 2005 fish collection results for the Kankakee River mainstem, total number collected for each species by gear type, and total number of individuals, total number of species, and unique species captured by each gear type.Common name Total Boat electro- Seine haul Backpack Common name fishing electro- fishing Boat Total electro-fishina Seine haul Backpack electro-fishina Longnose gar Bowfin Gizzard shad Threadfin shad Grass pickerel Northern pike Goldfish Carp Golden shiner Creek chub Hornyhead chub Central stoneroller Suckermouth minnow Striped shiner Redfin shiner Spotfin shiner Red shiner Bluntnose minnow Bullhead minnow Emerald shiner Rosyface shiner Sand shiner Mimic shiner Spottail shiner Silverjaw minnow Bigmouth buffalo Smallmouth buffalo Black buffalo Quillback River carpsucker White sucker Spotted sucker Northern hog sucker River redhorse Shorthead redhorse Black redhorse 14 1 437 1 6 9 1 90 5 3 9 11 1 44 2 325 3 266 56 117 8 72 146 15 1 20 14 13 45 1 3 4 47 53 465 33 11 437 9 0 87 0 0 3 0 0 11 1 207 3 139 13 111 2 4 122 1 0 20 14 11 30 1 2 3 43 53 464 33 Golden redhorse Silver redhorse Channel catfish Yellow bullhead Black bullhead Flathead catfish Stonecat Pirate perch Starhead topminnow Blackstripe topminnow Brook silverside White perch Black crappie White crappie Rock bass Largemouth bass Smallmouth bass Warmouth Green sunfish Bluegill x Green sunfish hybrid Bluegill Pumpkinseed Longear sunfish Orangespotted sunfish Walleye Sauger Blackside darter Slenderhead darter Logperch Johnny darter Banded darter Rainbow darter Freshwater drum 556 100 151 3 3 8 13 1 3 10 85 1 19 1 97 123 696 2 58 1 392 2 138 34 22 1 41 37 80 389 140 50 32 488 98 144 1 0 7 4 0 0 1 41 1 4 1 67 67 618 1 19 0 217 2 101 4 22 1 27 21 64 24 15 0 32 3 2 2 2 8 1 8 18 0 0 0 24 32 44 0 38 1 111 0 32 19 0 0 10 16 13 326 124 50 0 I otac tfis Total species Unique species by gear 5930 68 3930 58 12 598 38 2 1101 41 6 0 0 Table 6. Total number collected, number of stations each species was collected and percent occurrence for all species collected on the mainstem of the Kankakee River for the 2005 basin survey. Includes all 13 stations and all gears combined.Species No.Total No. Stations Occurrina Percent Species Occurence No.Total No. Stations Occurrina Percent Occurence Smallmouth bass Golden redhorse Shorthead redhorse Gizzard shad Bluegill Johnny darter Spotfin shiner Bluntnose minnow Channel catfish Mimic shiner Banded darter Longear sunfish Largemouth bass Emerald shiner Silver redhorse Rock bass Carp Brook silverside Logperch Sand shiner Green sunfish Bullhead minnow River redhorse Rainbow darter Northern hog sucker Quillback Striped shiner Blackside darter Slenderhead darter Orangespotted sunfish Black redhorse Freshwater drum Walleye Bigmouth buffalo Black craDDie 696 556 465 437 392 389 325 266 151 146 140 138 123 117 100 97 90 85 80 72 58 56 53 50 47 45 44 41 37 34 33 32 22 20 19 13 13 13 8 12 13 13 13 13 8 11 13 13 5 10 13 12 11 10 9 11 5 8 7 11 11 6 9 8 5 4 7 6 4 5 100.0 Spottail shiner 100.0 Smallmouth buffalo 100.0 Longnose gar 61.5 Stonecat 92.3 Black buffalo 100.0 Central stoneroller 100.0 Blackstripe topminnow 100.0 Hornyhead chub 100.0 Northern pike 61.5 Rosyface shiner 84.6 Flathead catfish 100.0 Grass pickerel 100.0 Golden shiner 38.5 Spotted sucker 76.9 White sucker 100.0 Creek chub 92.3 Red shiner 84.6 Black bullhead 76.9 Yellow bullhead 69.2 Starhead topminnow 84.6 Warmouth 38.5 Pumpkinseed 61.5 Redfin shiner 53.8 Bluegill x Green sunfish hybrid 84.6 Silverjaw minnow 84.6 Pirate perch 46.2 Sauger 69.2 River carpsucker 61.5 White perch 38.5 Goldfish 30.8 Bowfin 53.8 Suckermouth minnow 46.2 Threadfin shad 30.8 White crappie 38.5 total no.15 14 14 13 13 11 10 9 9 8 8 6 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7.7 38.5 38.5 46.2 53.8 23.1 38.5 30.8 38.5 23.1 30.8 30.8 15.4 30.8 23.1 7.7 7.7 15.4 15.4 15.4 15.4 7.7 15.4 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 5630 Table 7. Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores for the 2005 Kankakee River mainstem survey. Scores were calculated using both the Smogor (2004) and large river (modified from Lyons et al, 2001) methods. Scores were calculated using data from boat electrofishing and seine. One way ANOVA showed no significant difference between methods (P=0.69).Station Station Location Code Smogor Large River State Line F-03 48 50 River Isle Resort F-1 5 48 53 Momence Island Park F-02 49 60 Rt. 17 Bridge F-06 57 57 Aroma Park F-09 57 57 Below Kankakee Dam F-1 2 57 60 Davis Creek F-07 56 60 Langham Island F-1 3 54 40 Werner Bridge F-04 58 60 Rivals Club F-08 55 57 Wilmington F-11 59 60 1-55 Bridge F-01 59 57 Confluence w/ Des Plaines F-1 4 41 40 mean 53.7 54.7 variance 30.23 51.56 Table 8. Comparison of Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) results for the 2005 Kankakee River mainstem to previous IDNR survey in 1994 and 2000. All scores were calculated using the Smogor (2004) method. Scores were calculated using data from boat electrofishing and seine. ANOVA showed significant year effect (P=0.007).
Means with the same letter are not significantly different (t-test, P=0.05)Station Station location Cod 1994 2000 2005 Code State Line F-03 42 52 48 River Isle Resort F-15 44 56 48 Momence Island Park F-02 52 48 49 Rt. 17 Bridge F-06 48 50 57 Aroma Park F-09 54 54 57 Below Kankakee Dam F-1 2 52 48 57 Davis Creek F-07 40 52 56 Langham Island F-1 3 46 50 54 Werner Bridge F-04 50 52 58 Rivals Club F-08 50 50 55 Wilmington F-11 42 50 59 1-55 Bridge F-01 42 48 59 Confluence w/ Des Plaines F-14 40 42 41 mean 46.3(a) 50.1(b) 53.7(b)variance 24.56 11.64 27.1 Table 9. Total number of species collected for all 2005 Kankakee River Basin tributary stations combined, with total number sites where each species was found and percent occurrence.
Includes all 11 tributary stations and all gears combined.Number of Percent Common name Scientific name Total no. sites occurringoccurrence Striped shiner Central stoneroller Hornyhead chub Bluntnose minnow Rainbow darter Rock bass Smallmouth bass Creek chub Johnny darter Longear sunfish Rosyface shiner Green sunfish White sucker Sand shiner Ironcolor shiner Banded darter Golden redhorse Silverjaw minnow Fantail darter Blackstripe topminnow Southern redbelly dace Grass pickerel Largemouth bass Redfin shiner Least darter Spotfin shiner Blackside darter Pirate perch Black redhorse Slender madtom Northern hog sucker Central mudminnow Luxilus chrysocephalus Campostoma anomalum Nocomis biguttatus Pimephales notatus Etheostoma caeruleum Ambloplites rupestris Micropterus dolomieu Semotilus atromaculatus Etheostoma nigrum Lepomis megalotis Notropis rubellus Lepomis cyanellus Catostomus commersoni Notropis ludibundus Notropis chalybaeus Etheostoma zonale Moxostoma erythrurum Notropis buccatus Etheostoma flabellare Fundulus notatus Phoxinus erythrogaster Esox americanus Micropterus salmoides Lythrurus umbratilus Etheostoma microperca Cyprinella spiloptera Percina maculata Aphredoderus sayanus Moxostoma duquesnei Noturus exilis Hypentelium nigricans Umbra limi 1190 1062 598 431 354 305 242 177 150 121 116 96 51 49 47 47 42 41 37 24 24 21 14 13 13 12 11 11 10 8 8 6 100.0 100.0 90.9 100.0 36.4 90.9 81.8 63.6 63.6 63.6 72.7 63.6 54.5 54.5 18.2 54.5 36.4 18.2 36.4 45.5 9.1 18.2 54.5 45.5 18.2 18.2 27.3 18.2 18.2 18.2 9.1 18.2 0 Yellow bullhead Blacknose dace Stonecat Bluegill Black bullhead Quillback Orangethroat darter Brook silverside Carp Ameiurus natalis Rhinichthys atratulus Noturus flavus Lepomis macrochirus Ameiurus melas Carpiodes cyprinus Etheostoma spectabile Labidesthes sicculus Cyprinus carpio 6 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 27.3 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 total number total number of species total number of native 5349 41 40 M Table 10. Comparison of species occurrence and abundances for Kankakee River tributary stations 1994- 2005.Common name 1994 2000 2005 Central mudminnow 0 0 1 Gizzard shad 6 0 0 Grass pickerel 4 9 6 Northern pike 1 0 0 Carp 18 17 1 Creek chub 145 59 96 Hornyhead chub 624 1103 503 Central stoneroller 703 403 991 Suckermouth minnow 11 5 0 Blacknose dace 1 2 3 Brassy minnow 1 0 0 Striped shiner 777 1708 1076 Redfin shiner 19 132 11 Spotfin shiner 94 475 12 Bluntnose minnow 734 1805 325 Bullhead minnow 3 0 0 Rosyface shiner 122 194 63 Ironcolor shiner 0 0 1 Sand shiner 245 368 44 Silverjaw minnow 78 44 17 Bigmouth buffalo 0 1 0 Quillback 72 0 1 White sucker 102 9 47 Northern hog sucker 62 6 0 Shorthead redhorse 1 2 0 Black redhorse 14 22 10 Golden redhorse 288 35 41 Silver redhorse 1 0 0 Yellow bullhead 11 8 6 Black bullhead 1 0 1 Stonecat 13 16 2 Tadpole madtom 1 1 0 Slender madtom 1 10 8 Pirate perch 0 0 10 Blackstripe topminnow 3 15 17 Brook silverside 0 8 1 Rock bass 118 91 281 Largemouth bass 10 19 13 Smallmouth bass 237 133 232 Green sunfish 95 97 91 Bluegill 0 46 0 Longear sunfish 76 134 112 Blackside darter 16 8 2 Slenderhead darter 1 0 0 Logperch 1 0 0 Johnny darter 102 93 27 Banded darter 26 68 26 Orangethroat darter 0 15 1 Rainbow darter 39 43 352 Fantail darter 44 68 37 Least darter 4 8 13 Total fish 4925 7370 4481 Total species 44 42 38 Tab@ Summary of fish collection results for 2005 Kankakee River basin survey tributary sIs South Br Black Prairie Forked Horse East Br Rock Rock Walnut Exline Exline Spring Trim Creek Creek CreekHorse Creek Creek Creek Creek Slough Slough Creek Creek Family Common name Total FA-01 FB-01 FC-01 FCC-01 FF-01 FFB-01 FFBA-01 FKA-01 FKA-02 FM-02 FO-01 Cyprinidae Central mudminnow 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 Grass pickerel 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 15 0 Carp 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern redbelly dace 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 Creek chub 177 0 3 0 8 0 0 59 18 1 22 66 Hornyhead chub 598 81 55 0 115 52 59 86 99 14 9 28 Central stoneroller 1062 39 27 2 644 31 67 70 72 12 1 97 Blacknose dace 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Striped shiner 1190 247 80 26 139 176 9 44 350 11 70 38 Redfin shiner 13 6 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 Spotfin shiner 12 0 0 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bluntnose minnow 431 93 26 37 58 4 27 104 63 7 2 10 Rosyface shiner 116 16 4 0 18 4 4 53 0 1 0 16 Ironcolor shiner 47 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 1 Sand shiner 49 1 0 6 30 0 0 5 0 3 0 4 Silverjaw minnow 41 0 0 0 17 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 Catostomidae Quillback 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White sucker 51 3 0 7 0 0 0 2 2 35 2 0 Northern hog sucker 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 Black redhorse 10 0 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Golden redhorse 42 27 0 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Ictaluridae Yellow bullhead 6 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 Black bullhead 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Stonecat 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Slender madtom 8 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Aphredoderidae Pirate perch 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 Cyprinodontidae Blackstripe topminnow 24 0 8 2 6 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 Antherinidae Brook silverside 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Centrachidae Rock bass 305 0 21 7 54 80 91 19 25 2 5 1 Largemouth bass 14 1 1 0 9 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 Smallmouth bass 242 18 10 8 82 34 45 0 34 0 10 1 Green sunfish 96 76 2 1 0 8 4 2 0 0 3 0 Bluegill 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Longear sunfish 121 0 64 15 18 1 0 0 11 3 9 0 Percidae Blackside darter 11 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 Johnny darter 150 7 4 6 6 0 0 0 1 0 123 3 Banded darter 47 0 3 2 8 10 0 0 3 0 21 0 Rainbow darter 354 0 0 0 86 0 0 0 265 1 2 0 Orangethroat darter 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fantail darter 37 6 2 0 4 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 Least darter 13 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 Total fish 5349 627 318 156 1312 401 310 492 978 108 376 271 Total species 41 15 20 20 22 11 9 12 15 15 24 15 Table 12. Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) results for tributary stations, 2005 Kankakee River Basin Survey. Includes actual values for each metric and scores, in parentheses, and total score for each location.
Total possible range for IBI score is 0-60.FA-01 FB-01 FC-01 FCC-01 FF-01 FFB-01 FFBA-01 FKA-01 FKA-02 FM-02 FQ-O0 IBI Metrics Prairie ForkedHorse Creek E. Br. Horse Rock Creek S. Br. Rock Black Exline Exline Spring Trim Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Walnut Slough Slough Creek Creek Native fish species 15(3) 19(4) 20(4) 22(5) 11 (2) 9(2) 12(3) 15(3) 15(3) 24(5) 15(3)Native minnow species 7(4) 7(5) 6(4) 9(5) 5(3) 5(3) 9(5) 6(4) 7(4) 7(4) 9(5)Native sucker species 2(2) 1 (1) 4(4) 1 (1) 0(0) 0(0) 1 (2) 1 (1) 1 (2) 3(3) 0(0)Native sunfish species 3(4) 5(5) 4(4) 4(5) 5(5) 3(4) 2(3) 3(4) 2(3) 6(6) 3(5)Benthic invertivore species 4(3) 6(4) 6(4) 7(5) 1 (1) 0(0) 0(0) 5(4) 1 (1) 6(4) 1 (1)Intolerant species 4(4) 6(6) 3(3) 5(5) 4(4) 3(3) 3(4) 4(4) 3(4) 6(6) 4(5)Prop. specialist benthic invertivores 0.07(3) 0.04(1) 0.20 (6) 0.08 (3) 0.02(1) 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 0.31 (6) .0.01 (1) .0.44(6) 0.01 (1)Prop. geneneralist feeders 0.68 (3) 0.36 (6) 0.58 (4) 0.19 (6) 0.47(5) 0.14 (6) 0.54 (5) 0.44 (6) .0.54 (5) .0.27 (6) 0.45 (6)Prop. mineral-substrate spawners 0.69 (6) 0.64 (6) 0.43 (4) 0.87 (6) 0.94 (6) 0.89 (6) 0.60 (5) 0.87 (6) .0.38 (3) .0.43 (4) 0.68 (6)Prop. tolerant species 0.20 (5) 0.21 (5) 0.15 (6) 0.14 (6) 0.18(6) 0.33 (5) 0.33(5) 0.20 (5) .0.20(5) .0.17(6) 60.20(5)IBI 37 43 43 47 33 29 32 43 31 50 37 Table 13. Index of Biotic Integrity scores for Kankakee River Basin tributary stations for 1994, 2000, and 2005. One way ANOVA indicated no significant difference between years (P=0.05)Stream Station 1994 2000 2005 Code Prairie Creek FA-01 40 36 37 Forked Creek FB-01 47 39 43 Horse Creek FC-01 51 47 43 E. Br. Horse Creek FCC-01 46 46 47 Rock Creek FF-01 32 37 33 S. Br. Rock Creek FFB-01 29 27 29 Exline Slough FKA-01 51 49 43 Trim Creek FQ-01 40 39 37 mean 42 40 39 variance 68.6 51.7 36.6 F -0 1M ' F B AV0 S tre arrs FB-01FKAJ0 Rcads Safrchng Statiop;FC-01 F04 F-I3 F-03230 4 Prafie C re, 5Nn'pfrng Stabtics F-07 2002 Fork.ed Creek.FFC-1 0 sa"OirgStaticns 9 0 9 Miles Figure 1 Kankakee River watershed with 2006 Basin Survey and recent subwatershed survey sampling locations Elevation Profile of KANKAKEE R Average % slope ofseleotedsegment 0.041 C 7.3 21.8 2-.1 River Mile Distance 5elected segment highlighted in Rod 36.4 SO .9 S8i.2 Figure 2. Elevation profile of the Kankakee River mainstem in Illinois, showing locations of fish sampling stations.-33-*
- 0 USGS 85527580 KANKAKEE RIVER NEAR HILMINGTON, IL 5888 0 u 4888 L3008* 2080.0q S 1000 L m 408 Jun 11 Jun 25 Jul 09 Jul 23 Aug 06 Aug 28 Sep 03 Sep 17 Oct 81 2085 2805 2085 2805 2005 2085 2005 2005 2005--Nedian daily statistic (72 gears) -Period of-Daily nean discharge USGS 85527508 KANKAKEE RIVER NEAR AILHIN 3.8 2.5 J*2.0Q IC// + 1.0 ," 0.5 0.0 approved data GTON, IL Jun 11 Jun 25 Jul 89 Jul 23 Aug 06 Aug 28 Sep 83 Sep 17 Oct 81 2805 2005 2005 2085 2005 2885 2885 2005 2005-Hedian daily statistic (18 years) -Period of approved data-Daily nean gage height Figure 3. Daily discharge in cubic feet per second (top graph) and gage height (bottom graph) data for the Kankakee River mainstem.
United States Geological Survey (USGS)gaging station near Wilmington, IL. Data collection covers period from June 1 to October 1, which includes the Kankakee River fish survey conducted July 11 to July 22.
50 45 a.) Rf = 0.4435 P=-O.006 40 1.35 0 S30 Q-25 20 C( 20 0 !I I 10[0 5 0 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1986 1990 1994 2000 2005 Year 4 3 0=- 2 Ca (D 0 0 b.)1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1986 1990 1994 2000 2005 Year Figure 4. a.) Total number of smallmouth bass collected per hour of boat electrofishing at 13 stations on the Kankakee River, 1975-2005; b.) Number of smallmouth bass 14 inches or longer captured per hour of boat electrofishing at 13 stations on the Kankakee River, 1975-2005 12 0 8 C U) -.---CCF* NOP (,D-~-.e---WAE 2 0 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1986 1990 1994 2000 2005 Year Figure 5. Mean catch rate (no./hr.)
for rock bass (ROB), channel catfish (CCF), northern pike (NOP), and walleye (WAE) for the mainstem of the Kankakee River from 1975 to 2005; boat electrofishing only.
120 90 75 so 48 3.C" IN 5 U'ia 2b 30 5 us 4,i 15 2 6 25 60 LENGTH Frequency us. Fish Length for 696 Smallmouth bass Figure 6. Length frequency distribution for smallmouth bass, for the Kankakee River mainstem, 2005.All stations and collection gears combined.10 9 a 7 4 3 2 I S -L CH. ..1. 20 300 .86 IN 0 5 15 15 20 25 30 LENGTH Frequency us. Fish Length for 151 Channel catfish Figure 7. Length frequency distribution for channel catfish, for the Kankakee River mainstem, 2005. All stations and collection gears combined.
130 120 it@100 90 so 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 CM IN 21 3i S-10 LENGTH Frequency us. Fish Length for 305 Rock bass Figure 8. Length-frequency distribution for rock bass collected at 11 tributary stations for the 2005 Kankakee River basin survey. All fish captured by electric seine (total sampling time 6.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />).110 loo 90 80 70 60 50" 40 30 20 10 0 C" IN n 0, 0 Frequency us.10 20 S 30 40 10 I .S LENGTH Fish Length for 242 Smallmouth bass Figure 9. Length-frequency distribution for smallmouth bass collected at 11 tributary stations for the 2005 Kankakee River basin survey. All fish captured by electric seine (total sampling time 6.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />).-38-