Fish Iowa - Fish Species - Least darter
Characteristics
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Details
The Least Darter lives in a variety of habitats from clear streams and springs to sluggish pools, ponds and lakes, but the existence of abundant filamentous algae or thick growths of aquatic vegetation are essential. The Least Darter tolerates a variety of substrate types as well, but avoids yellow clayey silts and is susceptible to localized habitat destruction from stream alterations, like gravel mining. Although widely ranging, the distribution of this small darter is discontinuous. In southern parts of its range, the Least Darter is found in clear, quiet pools in stream floodplains, pools below springs, seeps and small creeks with permanent flow and dense vegetation. In Iowa and other parts of its northern range, the Least Darter prefers weedy portions of lakes and clear streams with sluggish flow.
Recent stream sampling information is available from Iowa DNR's biological monitoring and assessment program.
Distribution Map
The Least Darter is listed as an endangered species in Iowa (571 IAC 77.2(1) (2004)). It may be the rarest fish in the state. Limited to the Cedar and Maquoketa Rivers and their tributaries, this fish was documented in pre-1900 collections and then again only recently at two sampling sites.
See our most recent distribution data for this species on the Iowa DNR's Bionet application.
State Record(s)
Master Angler Catches