Fish Behavior in the Chicago River

CRATA

March 2023 - December 2026

Shedd Aquarium, Illinois-Indiana Seagrant, and Purdue University are studying fish behavior within the Chicago River. We seek to better understand how fish respond to various restoration initiatives implemented, or planned for, its waters and shorelines. By tagging a variety of species, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Common Carp we obtain information on how different species respond to restoration activities. We have strategically places receivers throughout various parts of the Chicago River to enable us to gauge how fish behavior and utilization of restored habitats changes during spawning activities, foraging periods, poor water quality events, and over the winter.

• Document fish movement and home ranges within the Urbanized waterways of Chicago.
• Document how fish behave during poor water quality events.
• Document where fish go during winter periods.
• Understand fish utilization of restored habitats within and along the Chicago River

• Greater understanding of how restoration initiatives provide benefits to Chicago's fish communities.
• Illuminating what life under the surface is like for fishes.

• Austin Happel (John G. Shedd Aquarium) - ahappel@sheddaquarium.org

• John G. Shedd Aquarium
• Illinois-Indiana Seagrant
• Purdue University
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

• Natural Resources Conservation Service