E. Details of 1998 Sampling 



In 1998 we collected a total of 4,001 fish representing 44 species (plus three hybrids) 

 from eleven families during 26.00 h of sampling at 26 sites on the Illinois Waterway 

 and a single site on the Mississippi River (Appendices B-E). Gizzard shad was the 

 most abundantly collected species, representing 29.0% of the total catch, followed by 

 emerald shiner (1 1.2%), bluegill (9.6%), freshwater drum (7.9%), common carp 

 (6.9%), and white bass (6.2%). Gizzard shad were collected at all 27 sites and 

 common carp and bluegill were collected at 26 sites. The sample from Lambie's 

 Boat Harbor (RM170.3, Peoria Reach) yielded the most fish (389, 9.7% of the total 

 collected from all 27 sites). The most species collected at a single site was 23 from 

 Chillicothe (RM 180.6) in Peoria Reach. The fewest species collected at a single site 

 was seven from Johnson Island (RM 249.6) in Marseilles Reach. 



CONCLUSIONS 



Our electrofishing collections on the Illinois River Waterway during August and 

 September 1994-1998 documented the continuing recovery of the system's 

 biological integrity. Once dominated by introduced and relatively pollution tolerant 

 species such as common carp and goldfish (Lerczak and Sparks 1994), the Illinois 

 River now supports a diverse assemblage of fishes, many of which support 

 economically important sport fisheries. Ninety-four species and six hybrids have 

 been collected since William Starrett began this survey in 1957. Seventy species 



44 



