Distribution of Fishes in the Red River of the North Basin on Multivariate Environmental Gradients

Cottidae

Mottled Sculpin

Cottus bairdi Girard, the mottled sculpin, has only rarely been taken from the Red River basin and was not reported by early investigators. The first verified record of the mottled sculpin from the Red River basin was in 1976, when a single specimen was collected from the outlet of Otter Tail Lake (Otter Tail River) (BMNH 1994) (Figure A78). In 1980, the MDNR FISH (1994) collected an unknown number of specimens 9.2 mi upstream from the mouth of the Mud River, a tributary to lower Red Lake; and in 1984, the species was taken by the same agency at two sites on the Clearwater River, including the outlet of Big Buzzle Lake and at Aure Bridge. The MDNR FISH (1994) also reported mottled sculpin in 1992 from river mile 114.8-114.9 on the Clearwater River. During June of 1994, seven specimens were collected from the outlet of Big Buzzle Lake (Clearwater River) by NDSU (1994).

Figure A78. Distribution of the mottled sculpin in streams of the Red River of the North basin.

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