Project T-58-D1

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

Community and/or Species Focus:

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

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):