Association Between Chemical Characteristics of Stream Water and the Abundance of Fish in Northeast Minnesota
To study the association between the chemical characteristics of stream water and the abundance of fish, a canonical correlation analysis was carried out between the three major chemicals of streams and the fish counts of the five most common fish species in northeast Minnesota. The chemicals are dissolved oxygen, pH, and total phosphorus. The fish species were Central Mudminnow, Creek Chub, White Sucker, Common Shiner, and Blacknose Dace. The result indicates that Common Shiner has the most extensive adaptability among the five fish species, has nearly no preference for dissolved oxygen. Creek Chub and Blacknose Dace, White Sucker and Common Shiner have similar preferences for water chemistry. In this way, proper regional stocking strategies can be made with a scientific basis to avoid futile activities.