Editing Tippecanoe River (section)

==Aquatic Life==
The Upper Tippecanoe River continues to have habitat suitable for [[Unionidae|unionid]] (freshwater mussel) species. The [[Drainage basin|rivershed]] has retained much of its natural condition, continuing to provide a high quality habitat for freshwater mussels. Surveys done since 1903 show that the waterway continues to support 
57 species of mussels. Modern changes in the surrounding land use and dredging the river channel affect the silt levels and stream flow, which threaten the mussel populations. Of the existing species, several are state listed as endangered, including the [[northern riffleshell]] (Epioblasma Torulosa rangiana), the wavyrayed lampmussel ([[Lampsilis fasciola]]), the kidneyshell ([[Ptychobranchus fasciolaris]]), and the purple lilliput ([[Toxolasma|Toxolasma lividus]]). The clubshell ([[Pleurobema clava]]) is a federally endangered specie.<ref>Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed Management Plan; Tippecanoe Environmental Lake & Watershed Foundation; North Webster, Indiana; J8uly 31, 2006; pg 2.19-2.20</ref>

The river fishery is similar to the early 1900s, even with the changes in river use and the increase in urban and agricultural use. Surveys done in the early 21st century found representatives of 14 families and 54 species of fishes. Nearly 80% of collected fish are [[Game fish|game fish species]], including: [[Largemouth bass]] (Micropterus salmoides), [[Yellow perch]] (Perca flavescens), [[Walleye]] (Stizostedion vitreum), [[Muskellunge]] (Esox masquinongy), [[Bluegill]] (Lepomis macrochirus), [[Channel catfish]] (Ictalurus punctatus), [[Rainbow trout]] (Oncorhynchus mykiss), [[White crappie|White]] and [[Black crappie]] (Pomoxis annularis and P. nigromaculatus), [[Longear sunfish]] (Lepomis megalotis), [[Northern pike]] (Esox lucius), [[Rock bass]] (Ambloplites rupestris), [[White bass]] (Morone chrysops) and [[Warmouth]] (Lepomis gulosus). [[Bluegill]] were the dominant fish, being 50% of the river population.<ref>Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed Management Plan; Tippecanoe Environmental Lake & Watershed Foundation; North Webster, Indiana; J8uly 31, 2006; pg 2.21-2.22</ref>