Image credit: Steven G. Johnson/Wikimedia Commons.
Recommended for funding, pending NOAA approval.
Minnesota is home to ancient lineages of fish like bowfin, gar, and suckers that have swum in our waters for millennia, but are often overlooked as “rough” fish. These species are now facing increased pressure from modern bowfishing and recreational angling. This project seeks to bridge a critical knowledge gap: how long do these fish really live, and how can we ensure their populations remain sustainable for future generations?
Project description
Historically, it was assumed that "non-game" fish like suckers, bowfin, and gar had short lifespans and matured quickly. However, recent evidence suggests many of these species may live for decades, some over 40 years.
This project, titled "Variation in Ecology and Life History of Minnesota Catostomid and Holostean Fishes," uses advanced otolith (a small bone-like structure in a fish’s inner ear) analysis and stable isotope ecology to redefine the life histories of these species. By studying fish from the Lake Superior drainage and inland Minnesota waters, the research team is quantifying:
True lifespans: Determining age through thin sections of otoliths.
Growth and maturity: Identifying at what age these fish begin to reproduce.
Reproductive investment: Analyzing egg quality, antimicrobial strength, and nutrient transport.
Trophic connections: Using Nitrogen-15 and Carbon-13 isotopes to map where these fish fit in the food web.
Why Sea Grant?
This project supports Minnesota Sea Grant's focus area on Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture, Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development, and Healthy Coastal Ecosystems.
Current regulations for these species often rely on outdated data or the incorrect assumption that these fish are short-lived; however, new evidence reveals lifespans exceeding 40 years and a massive surge in recreational bowfishing pressure. In 2026, the Minnesota DNR is implementing first-of-their-kind harvest regulations for species like bowfin, gar, and suckers. This regulatory transition marks the first time in state history that these fish are being managed with the same scientific rigor as traditional game fish. Research findings from this project on the life history and ecology of these fishes will directly inform these new management frameworks.
Project team
Principal Investigator:
Mark Clark, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Professor, Department of Biology
University of Minnesota Duluth
Co-Principal Investigators:
Solomon David, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
University of Minnesota
Alec Lackmann, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics & Statistics
University of Minnesota Duluth
Kathryn Schreiner, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Professor, Large Lakes Observatory and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Minnesota Duluth
Funding
This project has been recommended for funding, pending NOAA approval, through the 2026-2028 Minnesota Sea Grant Biennial RFP. This work is supported by the Minnesota Sea Grant College Program and Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program using federal and/or matching funds under award NA24OARX417C0033-T1-01 from the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Lead scientist(s)
Mark Clark, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Professor, Department of Biology
University of Minnesota Duluth