Fish use of the Rocky Creek fishway and the Reader-Root wetland complex with special consideration for northern pike

As a result of a winterkill of juvenile northern pike (Esox lucius ) near the Rocky Creek fishway in December 2001, an exploratory study was conducted in 2003 and spring 2004 to examine the function of the fishway as well as the characteristics of the fish community using the fishway and the Reader-Root wetland complex. To determine fishway use, the fishway was converted into a fish trap to intercept fish moving downstream to spawn, as well as fish returning upstream. The fish community in the Reader-Root wetland complex was sampled primarily with experimental gill nets.; The Rocky Creek fishway was used by northern pike, white sucker ( Catostomus commersonii), and three Notropis species. Northern pike and white sucker passed upstream and downstream through the fishway at rates exceeding 200 fish per hour during spring. Results of the fish community investigations indicated that the Reader-Root wetland complex had an abundant fish community dominated by northern pike.; Fish use of the Rocky Creek fishway and Reader-Root wetland complex was highly variable. Further research is necessary under different water levels and flow conditions to determine if environmental conditions are correlated to changes in fish abundance or species diversity.