The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is one of the most ecologically and economically important
oligohaline systems in the United States.Due to its characteristic east-west salinity
gradient, it harbors a distinctive and ever changing fish community.Much of the culture
and economy of the southeastern Louisiana is based on the aquatic resources of the
basin.Although most people in the region are generally concerned about the health
and abundance of the sportfishes (i.e. redfish and speckled trout) in the basin, relatively
few are concerned or even aware of the non-game (i.e. Blackbanded Darter or Sailfin
molly) and exotic (Rio Grande Cichlid and Common Carp) species that occur throughout
the basin.

 

In 1974, Douglas published the Freshwater Fishes of Louisiana, the most comprehensive treatise on Louisiana fishes.Unfortunately, this publication
has long been out of date and is not readily available to most Louisianans.Other educational
fish posters are available; however, they depict only marine fishes or only freshwater fishes.Prior to this project, no
pamphlet or other educational-outreach material existed specifically for the fishes
of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. This project was funded by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.

 

Recent generations of sportsman, outdoorsman, and environmentalists are likely not
aware of the immense freshwater, estuarine, and marine biodiversity in the Lake Pontchartrain
basin.The production of organismal-based educational material has been immensely popular
for other agencies (e.g., Sea Grant Programs) interested in outreach and education.

 

Overall, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin is healthier than it was 20 years ago. Redfish
and speckled trout populations are increasing, and formerly uncommon species of fishes,
are returning to the basin.It seems timely that updated educational material on fishes
of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin be made available to the people of south Louisiana.The
objective of this project was to produce an educational poster depicting the fishes
in the basin, inclusive of non-game, sport, and exotic fishes.Distributed through
Turtle Cove, these posters are now available to educational and environmental groups
during various workshops and environmental events held at Turtle Cove, along with
beingavailable to other interested groups throughout Louisiana and the Gulf region.

 

The images used in the production of this poster were illustrated by Joe Tomelleri (pictured right),one of the premier fish illustrators in the world.His illustrations
have appeared in more than 500 publications, including many magazines, advertisements,
newspapers, greeting cards, clothing, signage, identification guides, websites, and
most recently, in two fish books: Fishes of Alabama (Boschung& Mayden 2004) and the Trout and Salmon of North America (Behnke et al. 2002).

 

Thirty fish illustrations are represented on this poster including non-game fishes,
sportfishes, endangered fishes, and exotics fishes that occur in the Lake Pontchartrain
Basin.Not only does the poster include images of fishes that occur in Lake Pontchartrain
and Lake Maurepas, but it also includes lesser-known fishes that occur in the Tangipahoa,
Amite, Tickfaw, and Blind Rivers.

 

Read descriptions of each fish in the poster.

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