Wildlife in Mississippi Watershed

Eastern ChipmunkEastern ChipmunkThe watershed has many natural heritage features including several locally and provincially significant wetlands, rare species and species at risk, other significant natural features such as wild rice, a migratory bird sanctuary and Areas of Scientific and Natural Interest (ANSIs), and Parks, Conservation Reserves and Crown land.

The wildlife in the Mississippi watershed can be summarised into two areas:

  • aquatic communities particularly fish (streams and lakes), and
  • terrestrial communities, particularly vegetation communities (forests, grasslands, wetlands)

The Mississippi River system is home to a wide diversity of mammal, reptile and amphibian, insect and bird species. In many cases the life-cycles of these species are directly related to the river and the corresponding land-water interface. One example of this important linkage would be the numerous wetland areas found along the river and the shores of some lakes.

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Fish in Mississippi Watershed

The Mississippi River system contains both cold and warmwater fish species. Historically, lake trout
lakes dominated the watershed, but now only a few lakes in the western sub-watershed continue to
be managed as coldwater fisheries.

The central and eastern sub-watershed lakes are managed as warmwater, walleye and bass dominated fisheries, and the river reaches’ water levels and flow are managed to protect fish spawning. 

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Amphibians and Reptiles in Mississippi Watershed - Draft

Reptiles depend on wetlands for much or all of their life-cycle and osprey and herons benefit from the shallow water feeding opportunities they provide. Certain wetland habitats such as Kashwakamak Lake provide suitable habitat for a rare, species at risk turtle species known as the Blanding's turtle. Other species in the watershed are the rat snake, black snake, milk snake, garter snake, snapping turtle, and the painted turtle.

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Birds in Mississippi Watershed

LoonLoonLoons

Small lakes, generally those between 5 and 50 ha, can accommodate only one pair of loons. Larger lakes may have more than one pair of breeding loons, with each pair occupying a bay or section of the lake. Loons build their nests close to the water, with the best sites being completely surrounded by water, such as on an island, on submerged logs, or on sedge mats.

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Mammals in Mississippi Watershed

Furbearing mammals such as beaver, muskrat and raccoon derive food and shelter from wetlands in the watershed.

Castor/BeaverCastor/BeaverBeavers

The beaver:

  • is a superb engineer: it builds impressive dams, canals, and lodges
  • can see as well underwater as on land
  • is ungainly and slow on land, but is graceful and strong in water
  • has influenced the history of Canada more than any other animal

Regulating water levels within the areas of beaver lodges may negatively impact the animal’s survival if water levels become too low and diminish suitable beaver habitat in the area. Beavers will abandon their dens once access to water and food sources is diminished, which exposes the animal to predators and other dangers. Beavers are natural regulators of water and once the beaver is gone, habitat conditions will change.

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Threatened and Endangered Wildlife in Mississippi Watershed

Northern ShrikeNorthern ShrikeThe Mississippi River system is also home to several rare species and species designated as species at risk. These rare species are considered to be of concern because so few populations exist in Ontario. The river supports a total of 6 known rare species including 4 dragonfly species and 2 fish species.

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