National Park Service
Date of this Version
2008
Citation
Copyright Pegg & Pope.
Abstract
The Niobrara River flows through Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (AGFO) maintaining about 18-km of riverine habitat. The lack of large-scale human alterations like impoundment and channelization to the Niobrara River within AGFO make this stretch of river an ideal location to support native fish communities. However, concern for native fishes in the Niobrara River in and around AGFO has grown because non-native brown trout Salmo trutta and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss have been actively stocked in the region. Other species like largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, and northern pike Esox lucius may have also established populations from stocking activities above or below the AGFO property.