Sculpins in Beaver

[ecce38]

I caught this little guy today. I heard that once upon a time there used to be lots of them in this tailwater. I have seen them through the years, but not in overwhelming numbers. I know they are Scooby snacks for browns, but do they play any part, positively or negatively, to the overall health of the river? Moreover, are they, like frogs, indicators of a healthy aquatic environment? Left click to enlarge.

Just a neat picture I took this morining

[Wayne SW/MO]

I can tell you that it appears its a Mottled Sculpin, which is less common, but the information I have only list water temperature as something that can become critical. I have seen people treat them as trash at times, why I don't know, mental problem I guess.

[retroaction man]

nice pictures,i was out there yesterday and had great luck. camera was low on batteries so i cant back it up but i landed a 14" brown. Very nice fish. had it out of the water for 2 min then let the bugger go. also caught 4 rainbows.

my net came in very handy

[Fish Bork]

Its either a banded or mottled sculpin. Very good to have in these guys in the water. Both as food for big browns and other fish. The more diversity in the river the better, except asian carp.