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Project T-58-D1

Project Title: Redspotted Sunfish (Lepomis miniatus) Reintroduction to Illinois Sites of Historical Distribution

Community and/or Species Focus:

 Redspotted sunfish

Goals/Objectives:
  1. Collect 5 pairs per year of redspotted sunfish from Fish Creek and propagate in rearing ponds
  2. Stock propagated sunfish into the receiving ponds - Mansion and Emiquon
  3. Monitor sunfish populations in Fish Creek and receiving ponds
  4. Monitor genetic composition of the different redspotted sunfish populations
Achievements:
  1. ​Stocked over 60 sunfish into the rearing ponds over 4 years
  2. In the first year, 175 fish were stocked into Mansion Pond, and about 4,000 fish were stocked into Emiquon; over 4,500 fish were added to Emiquon over the next 2 years
  3. Surveys indicated a vulnerable and unstable population in Fish Creek; the populations established in Mansion and Emiquon Ponds were successful
  4. Translocation efforts were undertaken in year 3 to try and reestablish populations in 5 different Illinois water bodies
  5. Genetic differentiation was determined to be significant across the range of the species

Post-Project Survey (if applicable): n/a

Project Period: 2007 - 2012

Principle Investigator(s):

 Trent Thomas (Division of Fisheries)

Final Report:
T-58-D1​