Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Vermont
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Little is known about Stonecat (Noturus flavus) populations, especially in the Northeastern United States, where these madtoms are at the edge of their range. In Lake Champlain tributaries, Stonecats are listed as endangered in Vermont, but not in New York. Here we describe the growth of Stonecats in two tributaries to Lake Champlain, one in Vermont and one in New York. We also compared the growth of Stonecats in these waters to results from other locations near the middle of their distribution. Stonecats in the Great Chazy River, NY were larger at ages 1-3, but smaller at age 5, than Stonecats from the LaPlatte River, VT. Stonecats in Lake Champlain tributaries were generally larger at age than those from the middle of their range, except for those from Lake Erie. Lake Champlain Stonecats appear to reach maturity by age 3, though future research that directly estimates age at maturity would be more informative. These results expand the literature that lacks information about growth of this species while also providing specific information needed to manage this and other fishes in Lake Champlain tributaries.