The Status of Fishes in the Missouri River, Nebraska: Emerald Shiner ( Notropisatherinoides ), Red Shiner ( Cyprinella lutrensis ), River Shiner ( N. blennius ),Sand Shiner N. stramineus ), Spotfin Shiner ( C. spiloptera )

Despite major anthropogenic modification to the Missouri River system, relative abundance of five shiner species within Nebras ka’s reach of the Missouri River has increased since the 1940’s. The combined abundance of five species: Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis, Spotfin Shiner C. spilopterus, Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides, River Shiner N. blennius, Sand Shiner N. stramineus, represented > 50% of the small fish community in the Missouri River over the past ten years (2003-2012). More than 3,600 mini-fyke nets were deployed, resulting in over 158,600 shiners collected from the Missouri River along Nebraska’s eastern border between 2003 and 2012. Past literature has documented population declines of several native chub and minnow species; however, limited information exists about the magnitude of change in relative abundance and species composition amongst the fish community. A re view of the population status for five shiner species and a discussion of population trends among four reaches along the borders of Nebraska are presented.