Document Type
Article
Abstract
The North American beaver Castor canadensis is an ecosystem engineer and a keystone species to the environment. Beaver inhabit ponds and construct dams to build ponds that provide habitat for certain fish. Little information is provided on the species of fish that live in beaver ponds. The objective of this study is to sample the fish communities in beaver ponds while comparing the effectiveness of two styles of minnow traps. Twelve beaver ponds were selected in the Bemidji area to be sampled. The quantity and species caught in each style of trap were recorded to compare effectiveness of each trap and a sample of the fish community. A total of 15,453 fish were caught, seven different species and possible hybrids. Between the two trap types used, there appeared to be a significantly higher catch in the clover leaf trap type.
Publication Date
2025
Recommended Citation
Cumberland, Reed and Kuhlmann, Rose, "A Sample of Fish Communities in Beaver Ponds of Northern Minnesota" (2025). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 77.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/77
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Population Biology Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Comments
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program