It was a great day to be out in the wilds of Mississippi River country in Lanark County, Ontario. Drivers-by must have wondered: “Who on earth is that guy with the “ghost buster” backpack, wading in the river? And, and what are those other two doing with the nets?”

The “ghost buster” turned out to be Alan Dextrase, a biologist with the Species at Risk Section of Ontario Parks, wearing his electrofishing backpack. This machine emits a mild electric current into the water, which slightly stuns any nearby fish. His two helpers, Leslie Hunt and Regina Varrin, kept an eye out for any fish that floated to the surface, ready to net them for sampling. In particular, they were searching for a fish called the Margined Madtom.

The Margined Madtom is a small bullhead catfish that may – with more research – soon be listed as a species at risk. In Ontario, the Madtom is known from only a few locations in the Muskoka Lakes area and Lanark County.

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) scientists are trying to determine if Madtoms are native to Ontario or were introduced from the United States as bait. This will be determined through genetic research. First you need a tissue sample. In this case, a small piece is clipped from one of the fish’s pelvic fins (located midway along the lower side of its body).

Out in the Mississippi River that day, as the slightly “shocked” Madtoms floated to the surface, they were placed in a pail. The fish were measured, a small piece of fin was clipped from each one, and they were then released back into the river. Using the research facilities at Trent University in Peterborough, MNR scientist Chris Wilson will conduct DNA studies of the fin samples in an effort to determine whether these Madtoms are indeed native to Ontario.

Altogether, 28 Madtoms were captured – the greatest number of this species at risk that has ever been found in one place in Canada. It was Madtom Madness! Also, eight other fish species were captured: Bluefin, Pumpkinseed, Log Perch, Burbot, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Longnose Dace, and Fallfish. The number of species netted on that outing, including a possible species at risk, is a good sign. It means the Mississippi River is a clean, healthy waterway that will support many different kinds of fish and other aquatic animals.

By helping species at risk, we also protect and maintain a healthy environment for all life, including ourselves.

Species at risk – act today so they have tomorrow

Contributed by Sue Russell, Information Officer, Species at Risk Program

Last Modified: April 1, 2003
© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2003