StateoftheOzarks: Water Critters of the Ozarks


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Fish are one of the main reasons Ozark tourism exists. Without the draw to lakes such as Bull Shoals, Tablerock and Taneycomo, it is unlikely the Branson show industry would have gotten started.

Maybe modern-day market analysts — contemplating Branson as a “Midwestern Las Vegas” — should spend a little more time contemplating the lowly black crappie or the freshwater drum.

02/21/09, Rainbow trout Photo credit, J. Heston. Location: Maramec Spring State Park, St. James, Missouri

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An Ozark Critter List:

Black Crappie Pomoxis sp.
White Crappie Pomoxis sp.

Carp Cyprinus carpio
Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus
Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus

Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris
Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus
Black Bullhead Ameirus melas

Walleye Sander vitreus
White Bass Morone chrysops
Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris

Spotted Bass M. punctulatus
Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu
Largemouth Bass M. salmoides

Fish aren't the only critters in these lakes and rivers.

Spring Peeper Hyla crucifer.
Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana

Crawdad Astacidae sp.
River Mussel Unionidae sp.

Mudpuppy Nectarus maculosus