Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus maculosus)
Last Modified: November 30th, 2009 - 11:19 AM Entered by: Corey Raimond
Record 17119
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Country: United States |
State: Wisconsin |
County: Vilas County |
Time: 2008-07-00 00:00:00 |
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Qty: 1 |
Age: -- |
Sex: -- |
Method: Trapped |
Habitat: Medium sized lake with sandy bottom, scattered rocks and little aquatic vegetation |
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Notes
As part of a large scale project many (~100 spread evenly throughout the littoral zone of the lake) funnel traps baited with meat have been used to catch and remove invasive rusty crayfish and rainbow smelt. Many small-medium sized mudpuppies(the ones that can fit through the funnel trap) have been trapped over the years of this project. Mudpuppies were caught in 2006 (Ashley Gramza, University of Wisconsin Student), 2007 (Zach Lawson, University of Wisconsin Student)and 2008 (Erik Kopperud, University of Wisconsin Student.
According to above sources: mudpuppies are rarely caught in traps. The traps are set from June-August and checked roughly every other day. Only 5-10 mudpuppies are typically caught in a summer, equalling about 1 mudpuppy caught per every 1000-1,500 traps checked.
No picture voucher is provided as I have not seen any of these mudpuppies, but am relying on the reports of others.
Added photo of the lake, the white buoys are attached to funnel traps.
Vouchers
Comments
I have heard about this technique being used in the Connecticut River, where the Mudpuppy is believed to have been released. Interesting report.