An Ichtyhyofaunal Survey of Three Kentucky Tailwaters

Tailwater fishes of the Green, Barren, and Rough River Lakes, Kentucky, were sampled in the fall of 1978, spring 1979, and summer 1979. Fish per acre estimates were greatest in the fall and least in the spring, while standing crop estimates were similar in the fall and spring but markedly lower in the summer. Cyprinidae was the predominant family represented in the entire study. Rough species comprised the greatest component of biomass in each tailwater, while forage and/or game fish represented the majority of individuals. Barren River tailwater fishes exhibited the greatest average standing crop estimates, while the greatest variety of species was observed in the Green River tailwater. Habitat differences were concluded to be responsible for the observed differences between the Green and Barren River tailwaters. The Rough River tailwater included a pool six miles in length and was considered an atypical tailwater. Standing crop estimates were highest in the fall on Green and Rough River tailwaters and in the spring on Barren River tailwater. Numerically, the most abundant species in the Green River tailwater were the bluntnose minnow and white crappie. Longear sunfish and spotfin shiner predominated in the Barren, while white crappie and gizzard shad were most abundant in the Rough. A decrease in average standing crop estimates was observed between the most upstream and downstream stations on Rough River tailwater, but, due to similarity of habitat between the stations, no explanation was available. Rainbow trout were generally found in close proximity to stocking points for each tailwater