backwaters and main channel areas. Two species previously reported from the 

 Yellowstone (Brown 1971), the pearl dace [Semotilus margarita) and creek chub 

 (5. atromaaulatus ) , were not taken during this survey. Brown called the 

 creek chub "quite rare" and the pearl dace not abundant. 



Notably absent from the forage fish collections is the stonecat. 

 Stonecats generally prefer swift-current riffle areas with large gravel or 

 cobble substrates (Trautman 1957). Available techniques were inadequate 

 for such areas. Although not collected during current sampling, stonecat are 

 common in the lower Yellowstone and are an important forage fish for some 

 species. A forage fish species list for the lower Yellowstone is included 

 in appendix G. 



135 



