There are many fihs that inhabit the schuykill today. Between Flathead Catfish, Trout, and Shad. These fish all live in the schuykill because, like the catfish, some of these fish live here because they are most comfortable in coastal waters. Also another comparison is that they all enjoy freshwater environments in which they make their inhabitance. These fish aren't really harmful to humans except in the rarest of forms (catfish-Wels catfish), but other than that they are perfectly ok to eat and non-lethal.
Also inhabiting the schuykill are river shad or herring which are one of the most popularly caught fish in the western hemisphere. In 2005 over 600,000 were caught, however because of commercial damns and other river blockage they have been unable to migrate and spawn. This caused in a decline of their existance from 2005. Management policies have come into effect and now there is a limit on how many fish you are allowed to catch and what kinds you are are allowed to take from lakes, ponds and streams
Finally there are also Trout which are if not the most popular and well known fish its up there just like herring. Trout are not only good to eat or good for you but they are one of the most populated species of animals in the world. They are usually found in cool waters around 50-60 degrees Celsius and vary from size and color. The most common form of trout is rainbow trout. Even though it doesnt run in this river it is very popular and caught oftenly.
In conclusion, The fish of this river should be protected and valued as much as any other life and these details about them should only help in the further movement of the cleaning of the Schuykill.
(Photos & Information from www.fish.state.pa.us)
In the fish ladder that was just built purposely for the fish at the river, you can notice that there are many catfish going through the different stages. But as they travel through they tend to eat other fish that are native to the area. So with this said, the people who look after the fish ladder, drain the system out and manually toss the fish out of the system into the river
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