A Unique Eagle Scout Project7 (2)

Offspring of Rainbow Darters reintroduced to Belle Creek (Goodhue County, MN) in 2004. Collected, photographed, and released October 2, 2012

Eagle Scout project involves rainbow darters1a

News release about reintroduction

RBD MAp (2)

Location of Belle Creek. Rainbow Darters were once common here, but have been extirpated since the late 1970s. Salem Creek provided the donor population. Rainbow Darters still occur in Chub and Prairie Creeks, but were too rare to use as transplant stock

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The Cannon River at Welch also supported Rainbow Darters which disappeared about the same time as its tributary Belle Creek. The Minnesota Aquarium Society hosts an annual Darter Hunt for Banded Darters.

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NANFA regional rep Jenny Kruckenberg (in red) leads the annual Darter Hunters

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Bryan Stefansky discussing his Eagle Scout project with Minnesota Aquarium Society members.

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Bryan and Mary Stefansky at one of three Rainbow Darter release sites on Belle Creek

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Bryan Stefansky at second release site on Belle Creek

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View of Belle Creek upstream of second release site

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Bryan checking Zumbro River as a possible donor stream for transplant stock...

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and proves to be full of Rainbow Darters

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However, very amiable landowners granted access to several sites along Salem Creek where Rainbow Darters were also abundant. In this riffle alone 282 darters were collected in very short time

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Boy Scout Troop 58 and parents collecting Rainbow Darters with seines and kick nets

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Boy Scout Troop 58 and parents collecting Rainbow Darters with seines and kick nets

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Boy Scout Troop 58 and parents collecting Rainbow Darters with seines and kick nets