Two Extremely Rare Fish Found in Iowa River

The fun of fishing is that you never really know what is lurking just below the surface of the water. It could be a bluegill, crappie, catfish, or pike. Or it could be something even rarer, as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently found out.

Two Endangered Fish Found in an Iowa River

The Des Moines Register reports that not one, but two, federally endangered fish were found in the Des Moines River earlier this spring. The fish were found as part of the DNR's annual spring sturgeon sampling effort. The event has happened every year since 2014. What officials found was one of the rarest and most endangered species in North America, the pallid sturgeon.

How Rare are Pallid Sturgeons in Iowa?

The Register reports that the pallid sturgeon is one of the rarest and most endangered species in North America. It was placed on the US Federal Endangered Species list in 1990. They are typically found in the Missouri River and are not typically found this far north in Iowa.

READ MORE: Popular Iowa Attractions to Visit Now

According to the Register, the first pallid sturgeon was collected by the DNR at the end of April, with the second one found less than a week later. They were found in the lower part of the Des Moines River near Ottumwa. The two Iowa fish are 'relatively young' for sturgeon, probably only a couple of decades old, according to the Register. Sturgeon can live for up to 150 years.

What Should You Do if You Catch a Pallid Sturgeon?

The Register reports that DNR officials stress that Iowa anglers must release a pallid sturgeon immediately, as they are a federally protected species. The DNR took samples from the two fish caught this spring, and they were released back into the Des Moines River.