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The Spoonhead Sculpin

Spoonhead Sculpin occupies northern rocky stream and lake habitats. It also serves as prey for larger fishes in some inland lakes.

Range and Identity

Cottus ricei is recorded across northern North American drainage regions, including the Great Lakes and Mackenzie systems. This wide range spans different lakes and river basins. An observation should retain its exact locality rather than imply equal abundance throughout the northern continent.

Habitat and Behavior

The fish inhabits rocky portions of swift creeks and rivers and also occurs in lakes. A lake record and a flowing-stream record describe complementary habitats. Current speed alone therefore does not define every setting in which the species is found.

Food and Life History

The maximum reference is 13.4 centimeters total length, with six centimeters as a common size. Small crustaceans and aquatic insect larvae are suggested as food in the summary, but the tentative wording is retained. Lake Trout and Burbot are documented predators in inland lake settings.

Field Note

Include lake or stream identity and bottom material with a record. Those details help compare observations without assuming all northern sculpins share the same habitat or feeding account.

All Lakes With Spoonhead Sculpin

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Spoonhead Sculpin records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

Showing 1–6 of 6 lakes · Page 1 of 1

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