Iowa Fish Atlas

Native: Yes

State Rank: S4

ITIS Code: 163949          

National Rank: N5           

Global Rank: G5

Modeled By: Anna Loan-Wilsey

State Range:

The northern hog sucker is widely distributed throughout the Eastern Broadleaf Aquatic Subregion and is often one the most abundant stream fish of the region. In the Central Plains Aquatic Subregion, it is found throughout the Des Moines River drainage (Harlan et al. 1987), in the upper and middle watersheds of the Iowa River drainage and in the Little Sioux River.  An uncommon resident of the Great Border Rivers, the northern hog sucker is rarely found in natural or man-made lakes (Harlan et al. 1987).

Habitat Affinities:

The northern hog sucker lives in warm, deep, riffles of medium-sized creeks and small rivers with moderate to high gradients and substrates and substrates of clean sand, gravel, rubble and bedrock (Cross and Collins 1995; Etnier and Starnes 1993; Pflieger 1997; Trautman 1981). The northern hog sucker often inhabits long, deep riffles, runs, or pools of streams with permanent flow and clean sand, gravel, or rock bottoms (Pflieger 1997; Phillips et al. 1982). In Iowa, it prefers clear riffles with rapid current and where the bottom is scoured of silt leaving gravel or boulders.  It avoids lakes, impoundments and large, turbid rivers (Harlan et al 1987).  Etnier and Starnes (1993) occasionally found the northern hog sucker in reservoirs, and Eddy and Underhill (1974) report that it avoids heavily polluted agricultural of industrial waters but does inhabit waters moderate nutrient enrichment. The northern hog sucker does not tolerate continuous turbidity, low gradient stream sections where industrial and domestic pollutants accumulate on the bottom or channelization (Robison and Buchanan 1988; Smith 1979; Trautman 1981).

Predictive Model(s):

Statewide Model: by 8-digit HU [Decision Tree Analysis n=444]

The distribution is based upon existing collection records.

((("STRAHLER" > 2 AND "STRAHLER" <= 3) AND ("SOIL_TEXT" > 4 AND

"SOIL_TEXT" <= 6) AND "SUBREGION_" > 1) OR

( "STRAHLER" > 3 AND "STRAHLER" <= 4) OR

(( "STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5) AND "SUBREGION_" > 1))

Mississippi River Model:

The distribution is based upon existing collection records and professional review.

(("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S13') OR ("pool" >= 'S15' AND "pool" <= 'S16') OR ("pool" >= 'S19' AND "pool" <= 'S20'))

Missouri River Model

The distribution is based upon existing collection records and professional review.

("pool" = 'O17')

Overall Prediction:

((("STRAHLER" > 2 AND "STRAHLER" <= 3) AND ("SOIL_TEXT" > 4 AND

"SOIL_TEXT" <= 6) AND "SUBREGION_" > 1) OR

( "STRAHLER" > 3 AND "STRAHLER" <= 4) OR

(( "STRAHLER" > 4 AND "STRAHLER" <= 5) AND "SUBREGION_" > 1))

OR (("pool" >= 'S08' AND "pool" <= 'S13') OR ("pool" >= 'S15' AND "pool" <= 'S16') OR ("pool" >= 'S19' AND "pool" <= 'S20')) OR ("pool" = 'O17')

Literature Cited:

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Eddy, S., and J.C. Underhill.  1974.  Northern fishes; with special reference to the upper Mississippi Valley.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  414 pp.

Etnier, D.A., and W.E. Starnes.  1993.  The fishes of Tennessee.  University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee.  681 pp.

Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew.  1987.  Iowa fish and fishing. Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa. 323pp.

Pflieger, W.L.  1997.  The fishes of Missouri.  Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.  372 pp.

Phillips, G.L., W.D. Schmid, and J.C. Underhill.  1982.  Fishes of the Minnesota region.  University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  248 pp.

Robison, H.W., and T.M. Buchanan. 1988.  Fishes of Arkansas.  University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  536 pp.

Smith, P.W.  1979.  The fishes of Illinois.  University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Illinois.  314 pp.

Trautman, M.B.  1981.  The fishes of Ohio.  Revised Edition.  Ohio State University Press in collaboration with the Ohio Sea Grant Program Center for Lake Erie Area Research,  Columbus, Ohio.  782 pp.

Data Sources:

Ackerman, G.L.  1964.  Yellow River survey.  Unpublished report.  Iowa Conservation

Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Ackerman, G.L.  1965.  Boone River Survey.  Unpublished report.  Iowa Conservation

Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Ackerman, G.L.  1965.  Raccoon River Survey.  Unpublished report.  Iowa Conservation

Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Arthur, J.W., T. Roush, J.A. Thompson, C.T. Waltbridge, and F.A. Puglisi.  1997. 

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Bernstein, N.P.  2003.  Personal communications and unpublished reports.  Mount Mercy

College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Berry, C.R., D.L. Galat, and M.L. Wildhaber.  2004.  Fish distribution and abundance. 

Volume 3.  Population structure and habitat use of benthic fishes along the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers.  U.S. Geological Survey, Cooperative Units, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota.

Call, R.E.  1890.  The fishes of the Des Moines basin.  Iowa Academy of Sciences 1 pt.2

(1890, 1891):43-56.

Clear Lake Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northwest

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Clear Lake, Iowa.

Cleary, R.E., and T.L. Moen.  1961.  The Iowa River chemical eradication study. 

Quarterly Biology Reports 13(1):38-40.

Coon, D.M.  1971.  A fisheries survey of the upper Skunk River, Iowa.  Master’s thesis. 

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.  

Decorah Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Decorah, Iowa.

Dowell, V.  1981.  Collections in Cedar River Basin, 1956-1981.  University of Northern

Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Eckblad, J.W.  1979.  A natural resource inventory of the aquatic habitats of the Volga

River recreation area with pre-impoundment predictions for the new lake.  Contract 8152. Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Gelwicks, G., J. Heitke, and G. Simmons.  2002.  Contemporary fish survey.  Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, Manchester, Iowa.

Govro, K.C.  1977.  Effects of sewage effluent on fish in the Iowa River at Marshalltown.

Master’s thesis.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Harrison, H.M.  1951.  General survey of the Des Moines River below Des Moines.

Quarterly Biology Reports 3(3):32-45.

Harrison, H.M.  1958.  Preliminary report, Maple River studies.  Quarterly Biology

Report 11(1):10-16. 

Huggins, D.,  B.W. Menzel,  D. Van Schmus, M. Lary, S.H. Wang, Lian, K. Higgins, D.

Bandi, and A. Cordry.  1996.  Assessment of the effects of nonpoint source pollution on the biotic integrity of Walnut Creek.  Kansas Biological Survey Report 73.  Central Plains Center for BioAssessment at the Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas.

Iowa Conservation Commission and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  2002. 

Miscellaneous field notes from fish surveys, 1942, 1961, 1964, 1991.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Iowa State University.  2002.  Miscellaneous field notes from fish surveys conducted by

faculty and students, 1972 and 1980.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

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State University, Ames, Iowa.

Kaminski, M.T.  1996.  Smallmouth bass habitat and fish community relationships in

central Iowa streams.  Master’s thesis.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

King, L.R., and K.D. Carlander.  1976.  A study of the effects of stream channelization

and bank stabilization on warmwater sport fish in Iowa: Subproject No. 3.  Some effects of short-reach stream channelization on fishes and fish food organisms in central Iowa warm water streams.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract 14-16-0008-745.  Iowa Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Ames, Iowa.

Lake Darling Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Southeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Brighton, Iowa.  

Lake MacBride Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports. 

Southeast Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Solon, Iowa.

Long Term Resource Monitoring Program.  2002.   Pool 13 database, 1990-2001.  Upper

Midwest Environmental Science Center, Bellevue, Iowa.

Lyon, D.  2002.  Personal communication.  Retired biology professor, Cornell College,

Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Manchester Fish Management.  2002.  Field notes and unpublished reports.  Northeast

Management District, Fisheries Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Manchester, Iowa.

McDonald, D.B.  1982.  Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar River operational

ecological study.  Annual Report, January 1981 through December 1981.  D.B. McDonald Research Inc, Iowa City, Iowa.

Meek, S.E.  1892.  Report upon the fishes of Iowa, based upon observations and

collections mad during 1889, 1890, 1891.  Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 10(1890):217-248.

Menzel, B.W.  1983.  Field notes: northeast.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Des Moines-Skunk.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1984.  Field notes: Iowa-Cedar.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1997.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1998.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey.  Iowa State University, Ames,

Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  1999.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey, 1999 in-channel collections. 

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W.  2000.  Field notes: Topeka shiner survey, 2000 in-channel collections. 

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Menzel, B.W., J.B. Barnum, and L.M. Antosch.  1984.  Ecological alterations of Iowa

prairie-agricultural streams.  Iowa State Journal of Research  59(1):5-30.

Menzel, B.W., and H.L. Fierstine.  1976.  A study of the effects of stream channelization

and bank stabilization on warmwater sport fish in Iowa: Subproject No. 5.  Effects of long-reach stream channelization on distribution and abundance of fishes.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract 14-16-0008-745.  Iowa Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Ames, Iowa.

Middendorf, R. and R. Gent.  1981.  Fishery inventory of southeast Iowa tributary

streams.  Project 81-III-C-14.  Job Completion Reports.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Miller, L.R., and D.J. Herrig.  1982.  Variations in seasonal in-stream flow requirements

of smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieui Lacepede.  Project 82-I-C-1.  Job Completion Reports.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Miller, L.R., and D.J. Herrig.  1990.  Evaluation of lowhead riffle construction on

riverine fish populations.  Fish Management Investigations Job Completion Report.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

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construction on riverine fish populations.  Fish Management Investigations 1989 Annual Report.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Miller, L.R., T. Putnam, and J. Wahl.  1987.  Evaluation of lowhead riffle construction on

riverine fish populations.  Fish Management Investigations 1987 Annual Report. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Miller, L.R., T. Putnam, and J. Wahl.  1988.  Evaluation of lowhead riffle construction on

riverine fish populations.  Fish Management Investigations 1988 Annual Report.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

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Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Museum of Natural History.  2002.  Freshwater fish collection.  Division of Zoology,

University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana.

Museum of Zoology.  2002.  Division of Fishes collection database.  University of

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/. (May, 2002)

Nord, R.C.  1967.  A compendium of fishery information on the Upper Mississippi River.

Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

Olson, C.L.  1975.  Effects of chlorinated sewage effluent on fish in the Iowa River,

Marshalltown, Iowa.  Master’s thesis.  Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Olson, J.R.  1998.  Historic fish survey database.  Water Quality Bureau, Iowa

Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Paloumpis, A.A.  1958.  Responses of some minnows to flood and drought conditions in

an intermittent stream.  Iowa State College Journal of Science 32(4):547-561.

Paragamian, V.L.  1978.  Population dynamics of smallmouth bass in the Maquoketa

River and other Iowa streams: effects of habitat variation on the stream biota.  Project F-89-R-2, Study No. 602-1, Job No. 2.  Annual Performance Report.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Paragamian, V.L.  1979.  Population dynamics of smallmouth bass in the Maquoketa

River and other Iowa streams: effects of habitat variation on the stream biota.  Project F-89-R-2, Study No. 602-2, Job No. 2.  Annual Performance Report.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Paragamian, V.L.  1990.  Fish populations of Iowa rivers and streams.  Technical Bulletin

No. 3.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Putnam, T.  1974.  Pre-impoundment fish survey of the Des Moines River - Saylorville

Reservoir.  Project 74-IV-C-74.   Job Completion Reports.  Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Schmadeke, D.P. 1977.  An annotated list of fishes of the Shellrock River, Iowa. 

Master's thesis.  University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Schmidt, K.  1999.  Upper Iowa River 1998-1999 fish survey: database overview

summary.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Sullivan, D.J.  2000.  Fish communities and their relation to environmental factors in the

Eastern Iowa Basins in Iowa and Minnesota, 1996.  Water-Resources Investigations Report 00-4194.  U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa City, Iowa.

UMRCC.  1953.  Revised species list- northern section of the river.  Pages 19-32 in

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting, Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Rock Island, Illinois.

University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory.  1985.  Calmus Creek water quality study: May-

August 1984.  No. 85-1.  Iowa Department of Water, Air and Waste Management, Des Moines, Iowa.

University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory.  1988.  A survey of the benthic

macroinvertebrates and fishes of the Big Spring Basin, Iowa.  Report 88-9.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Wilton, T., K. Krier, and J. Mootz.  2003.  Stream Biological Assessment Database.

Environmental Services Division, Water Quality Bureau, TMDL and Water Quality Assessment Section, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Additional References:

Aadland, L.P.,  C.M. Cook, M.T. Negus, H.G. Drewes, and  C.S. Anderson.  1991.  Microhabitat preferences of selected stream fishes and community-oriented approach to instream flow assessments.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  142 pp.

Bailey, R.M., J.E. Fitch, E.S. Herald, E.A. Lachner, C.C. Lindsey, C.R. Robins, and W.B. Scott.  1970.  A list of common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada.  American Fisheries Society Special Publication No. 6. 149 pp.

Becker, G.C.  1983.  Fishes of Wisconsin.  University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1052 pp.

Buynak, G.L., and H.W. Mohr, Jr.  1978.  Larval development of the northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) from the Susquehanna River.  Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 107(4):595-599.


Clay, W.M.  1975.  The fishes of Kentucky.  Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, Kentucky.  416 pp.


Cross, F.B.  1967. 
Handbook of fishes of Kansas.  University
of Kansas Museum of Natural History
Miscellaneous Publication 
No. 45, Lawrence,
 Kansas.  357 pp.

Curry, K.D., and
A. Spacie. 
1984.  Differential use of stream
habitat by spawning catostomids.  American
Midland Naturalist 111:267-279.

Douglas, N.H.
 1974. 
Freshwater fishes of Louisiana.  Claitor’s Publishing Division, Sponsored by Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Commission, Baton Rouge,
 Louisiana.  443 pp.

Gelwick, F.P.  1990.   Longitudinal and temporal comparisons of
riffle and pool fish assemblages in a northeastern Oklahoma Ozark stream.  Copeia 1990:1072-1082.

Gerking, S.D.  1953.  Vital statistics of the fish population of Gordy Lake, Indiana.  Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 82:48-67.

Kelly, G., editor.  1986. 
Animal habitat relations handbook.  Missouri Department of
Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Jefferson
  City, Missouri.  293 pp.

Lee, D.S., C.R.
Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister,
and J.R. Stauffer, Jr.  1980.  Atlas of North American freshwater fishes.  North
 Carolina State
Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North
  Carolina.  867 pp.

Lobb, M.D., III,
and D.J. Orth. 
1991.  Habitat use by an
assemblage of fish in a large warmwater stream.  Transactions of the American Fisheries
Society 120:65-78.

Martin, R.G., and  R.S.
Campbell.  1953.  The small fishes of Black River and Clearwater Lake, Missouri.
 Black River Studies, University of Missouri
Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri  26(2):45-66.

Matheney, M.P., IV.  1993.  Movement patterns and habitat use by northern hog suckers in the Current River. Master’s thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 212 pp.


Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr.  1991.  A
field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico.  Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
432 pp.

Pflieger, W.L.  1971.  A distributional study of Missouri fishes.  University
 of Kansas Publications,
Museum of Natural History 
20(3):225-570.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989a.  Aquatic community
classification system for Missouri.  Missouri Department of
Conservation.  Jefferson City, Missouri.  Aquatic Series No. 19.
70 pp. plus Supplement.

Pflieger, W.L.  1989b.  The stream
resources of Missouri.
 D-J Project -
F-1-R-28.  Study S-20.  Missouri Department of
Conservation, Columbia, Missouri.   

Raney, E.C., and E.A. Lachner.  1946.  Age, growth, and habits of the hog sucker, Hypentelium nigricans (Le Sueur), in New York.  American Midland Naturalist. 36(1):76-86.


Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker,
E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott.  1991.  Common
and scientific names of fishes from the United
 States and Canada.  American Fisheries Society,
Special Publication 20, Bethesda, Maryland.
183 pp.

Scott, W.B., and E. J. Crossman.  1973. 
Freshwater fishes of Canada.
 Fisheries Research
Board of Canada Bulletin No.
184, Ottawa, Canada.  966 pp.

Smith, G.R. 1992.  Phylogeny and biogeography
of the Catostomidae, freshwater fishes of North
America and Asia. Pages 778-826 in Mayden, R.L., editor.  Systematics, historical ecology, and North American freshwater fishes. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.
xxvi + 969 pp.

Thom, R.H., and J.H. Wilson. 
1980.  The natural divisions of Missouri.  Transactions of the Missouri Academy
of Science  14:9-24.


Photo Credits:

Upper Left:       Photo
courtesy of Konrad P. Schmidt, copyright Konrad P. Schmidt.

Upper Right:     Photo
courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, http://www.ohiodnr.com/default.htm.