Where Does Paddlefish Live?

Paddlefish lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Paddlefish

Water type

freshwater

Depth

Typically found in deep, slow-moving sections of large rivers, backwaters, and impoundments, but moves into shallower, faster-flowing waters for spawning.

Environment

Large, turbid rivers, oxbow lakes, and reservoirs with abundant zooplankton. Prefers areas with moderate to strong currents and open water.

Geographic range

Historically widespread throughout the Mississippi River Basin, from Montana to Louisiana and from New York to Texas. Current distribution is more fragmented, primarily in the central and lower Mississippi River and its major tributaries, including the Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers, and some Gulf Coast drainages.

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