Pumpkinseed Sunfish discovered in the Upper Columbia River

"The Pumpkinseed Sunfish is native to southeastern Canada where it prefers weedy lake shore waters. The origin of the Pumpkinseed Sunfish in British Columbia is unknown, but its distribution seems to follow that of the Smallmouth Bass; it seems likely that these two species were introduced to British Columbia together in the early 1900s."

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are currently established in small lakes in Victoria area, the lower Columbia, lower Kootenay, Kettle and Okanagan systems below Cascade and Okanagan falls and now with this record the Upper Columbia River.

The introduction of exotic fish species into natural waterways can lead to a reduction in native fish numbers. Exotic fish affect native fish through direct competition for food and space, predation, habitat alteration and the introduction of exotic diseases and parasites.

"The proportion of endemic fish species found in the Columbia Basin in British Columbia sets the Columbia Basin apart from other large drainage basins in North America. At present, the Columbia Basin contains 43 fish species, of which 27 are native (9 endemic), and 16 are introduced 'exotic' species. The Columbia Basin presently houses over half (43 of 84 species) of British Columbia's freshwater fish fauna, making it the parent drainage for freshwater fish diversity in British Columbia." Living Landscapes, Royal BC Museum

Posted on January 10, 2020 02:39 AM by larryhalverson larryhalverson

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)

Observer

larryhalverson

Date

December 17, 2003 12:44 PM MST

Description

Most records the the Royal BC Museum had prior to this were from the Lower mainland and Okanogan area of British Columbia

See Journal Post https://inaturalist.ca/posts/29984-pumpkinseed-sunfish-discovered-in-the-upper-columbia-river

Photos / Sounds

What

Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)

Observer

larryhalverson

Date

January 25, 2020 01:49 PM MST

Description

Caught in Lake Windermere. 7 inches long.
See Journal Notes
https://inaturalist.ca/posts/29984-pumpkinseed-sunfish-discovered-in-the-upper-columbia-river

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