Importance of aquatic invertebrates as fish food in selected areas of the upper Mississippi River

Abstract

Food habits of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque) largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacepede), and spotted suckers (Minytrema melanops Rafinesque) were investigated to determine their dependence on the zooplankton and benthos. The area under investigation consisted of three finger lakes in the backwaters of Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River southwest of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Fish, benthos, and zooplankton samples were taken during the summer and fall of 1972.