Tim Smith

...and that's NEW cuts on top of the ones he has already doled out. 200 Natural Resources jobs...gone. Thank you very little, governor Dracula.

I hear you, Paul. The Rock has has it's troubles with fish kills in the past. It makes sense to keep an eye on it too.

The sampling frequency is up to the person doing the sampling but more is better. We want these probes sampling water as much as possible. Twice a week would be tremendous. Any time of day can be useful, but early morning data is best. That's when dissolved oxygen levels are lowest and problems will be obvious if they are there. Sampling at the same general time of day every time you sample is also preferable. Ideally, you would want to have the probe with you and available to use if you encounter something unusual while you're fishing too. I really, really like the idea of leaving the probe with a responsible person and making it available to multiple members too. The Apple is on the list specifically because of the dairy, because it's a very high quality stream and because it's a high quality fishery. We don't have to go there, but if we can we should try.

The Kishwaukee would be a good candidate, especially since it has a sewage treatment plant and a USGS stream gauge on the main stem. I don't know about twisting arms, but if you have several people lined up and willing to collect data, that might work out well.

Illinois Smallmouth Alliance Sentinel Angler Monitoring Program For the past year, the ISA has been working on a citizen monitoring program designed to provide information about the status of Illinois streams through member monitoring efforts. Over months of discussion and refinement, the general outline of that plan has been sharpened and refined to the point that it is ready to begin. Thanks to the generosity of ISA members and donors, that program will be launched during 2008. Part of that plan will include providing a compact (about the size of a digital camera), easy-to-carry kit for collecting water samples at sites where we notice water quality problems. Another part of the program will provide temperature/dissolved oxygen monitors (about the size of a tackle pack) to a limited number of members willing to make a specific commitment to use them regularly. Who should participate: During this the inaugural year of the project, a limited number dissolved oxygen meters will be available. We want to identify watersheds and participants that provide the maximum bang for the buck. If you are an ISA member or group who: 1) spends substantial time on the water 2) is willing to carry one or two additional items on your fishing trips, 3) is willing spend 5 minutes during your fishing trips and collecting and recording relatively simple data for the sake of Illinois' streams and smallmouth... ...please contact me in PM and let me know which rivers you would be willing to monitor, how often, what time of day, what specific problems you see at the sites you would monitor, what kind of experience you have collecting and handling data, why you would like to participate and who can vouch for you. Let's talk. Where should we monitor? Rivers sites we would like to monitor would include: 1. High quality fisheries where changes in the watershed might affect water quality and fishing. 2. Places that have demonstrated problems with fish-kills in the past. 3. Places we spent large amounts of time and where we are likely to return for many years to come. 4. Places with optimal conditions for algae growth (little shade, high nutrients, slow current). So far, these are the rivers at the top of our list: Apple DuPage Fox Kankakee Kaskaskia Mackinaw Salt Fork Maybe you know of other places where we can make a difference. Let's hear it. It's time to act. We'd like to be able to distribute monitors and sampling kits on or soon after the Bronzeback Blowout. Any questions or comments you have at all...just forward them here or in PM. Personally, I'm tremendously excited by the potential of this program. This is a chance to really make a difference. This is what the ISA is all about!!

http://www.amnh.org/sciencebulletins/?sid=...61113&src=l

HA! It has occurred to me many times that most Louisianians must be from Chicago or vice versa, Norm. Brian, the states are all being made to comply with TMDL regulations for all nutrients and the EPA is actively working on the dead zone issue. You can see some of the plans and the progress of the legislation on the Prairie Rivers Network and IEPA websites. Illinois is probably behind all the rest at this point, although TMDLs have been created for numerous watersheds. When we were working on a scientific basis for nutrient criteria, there was a general consensus that there were limited effects of nutrients in large streams and there doesn't seem to be much will to force the sewage treatment industry to take even more nutrient out of their waste. Some of the waste districts are moving ahead and trying to take those extra steps anyway. The anhydrous ammonia issue just boggles the mind. Some farmers will still tell you that none of it gets into streams. Even when you prove to them that it does they just shrug and say it does no harm. The dead zone is a "myth" in their minds...because as you know scientists just sit around and invent things like this to complicate our lives.

I'm still looking for the Cayenne pepper gland... ...and ain't NOTHING poor about a nice etouffe.

Norm, sediment from the Kank is brutal, yes. The real culprit here though is nitrogen and phosphorus. Those are coming from places like Chicago septic waste and the spring cornfield run-off from anhydrous ammonia. In the eighties, we found springtime levels of nitrate in the Kaskaskia that were above the EPA limits for toxicity (>40mg/l). I wonder if it will ever occur to Louisiana to do anything. I grew up there and I can tell you that as a state, they're about as environmentally sensitive as a bowling ball.

John, you guys have to get in line behind Illinois. We're the number 1 contributor of nutrients to the Mississippi River drainage. All in all it would have been better to beat you in the Super Bowl last year.

PhD Assistantship - Mixed Stock Analysis of Steelhead Trout in Lake Erie Bowling Green State University Department of Biological Sciences Bowling Green , OH, USA http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/ A PhD-level position for graduate study is available for Fall 2008 to conduct research on steelhead trout distribution, philopatry and mixed stock analyses in Lake Erie. Virtually all steelhead in Lake Erie come from annual stockings by four states (MI, OH, PA, and NY). Water chemistry differences in the hatcheries in each state suggest that differences among state stockings can be determined via otolith chemistry (differences in elemental or isotope ratios). We have three years of Ohio Sea Grant funding to study the questions above, and we are looking for a PhD student to take the lead addressing these. Support includes Research Assistantships for two of three semesters each year (GTA the other semester) with tuition and fees waived. Start Date: August 15, 2008 for the graduate program, although we have funding to start you as a tech for at least part of the summer. Qualifications: Master's degree in Natural Resources, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field is required with a good background in inorganic chemistry and analytical/quantitative skills. Minimum academic requirements for the program are an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a GRE score of 1100 and 4.5 (verbal + quantitative and analytical writing, respectively). International students are expected to have a minimum TOEFL score of 250 (computer based) or 600 (paper based). For application materials and instructions for the graduate program in Biological Sciences, please go to the following website: http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/pr...grad/index.html For further information, contact Jeff Miner (jminer@bgsu.edu). http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/pe...ulty/miner.html Deadline: Position is open until filled. Note - the University does not have a deadline for application to the graduate program, but we want to have the position filled by April 15, so applications should be completed by March 15. -- Jeffrey G. Miner, Ph.D.Associate Professor Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Laboratory Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Department of Biological Sciences Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, OH 43403 USA(419) 372-8330 Fax: (419) 372-2024jminer@bgnet.bgsu.eduhttp://www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/

Seasonal Fisheries Employment Opportunity Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Classification: Experimental Biology Aide - 5 Positions (Classification #C3769 ­ there is no announcement number for this recruitment) Salary Range: $1,831 ­ $2,500 per month (Commensurate with experience) Location: Charleston, Oregon Duration: Three positions - 12 months (April 1, 2008 ­ March 31, 2009) (possible extension) Two positions ­ 8 months ((March 1, 2008 ­ October 31, 2008) (possible extension) Job Description: These positions combined form a team of samplers to support a new field-based effort to assess estuarine shellfish populations and habitats primarily in Coos Bay; however, there may be some travel to other estuaries. Work includes: · Intertidal and subtidal (using SCUBA) surveys of estuarine shellfish populations · Field sampling to characterize estuarine habitats · Collecting biological data on samples (e.g. species composition, length, age, etc.) · Excellent data recording and management, including data entry · Maintaining equipment (e.g. boats, dive gear, field sampling equipment, etc.) · Participation in literature review, data analysis, report writing, using charts and mapping; Requirements: € Must be willing to work long hours in the field in estuarine habitats; this position requires a flexible work schedule that will vary in the number of hours worked each day (but not necessarily every day), and a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary each day (but not necessarily every day) · Must have valid driver license and an acceptable driving record · Must have or obtain SCUBA certification and use this skill in estuarine conditions · Must have or obtain an Oregon Boater Education card (For more information about mandatory boater education in Oregon, please see the Oregon State Marine Board website at www.boatoregon.com) · Minimum qualifications are not established for this position, however, priority may be given to applicants with one or more of the following skills: o Field experience in aquatic environments o Small boat handling/maintenance/operation o Research diving o Experimental design and gear preparation o Data management, statistical analysis, GIS mapping o Degree in biological or marine sciences o CPR and First Aid training To Apply: Mail or FAX a completed State of Oregon Employment Application form (PD100) by Friday, February 22, 2008 to: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Attn: Caren Braby PO Box 5003 Charleston, Oregon, 97420 Phone: 541-888-5515 FAX: 541-888-6860 Email: caren.e.braby@state.or.us INTERVIEWS will be scheduled for those applicants who appear to be best suited, based upon an evaluation of their education, experience, and training and its relevance to this position. Depending on interest, applications may or may not be accepted after February 22, 2008. State of Oregon application forms can be obtained from the State¹s Jobs Page at www.oregonjobs.org. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security¹s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW is unable to support VISA sponsorships. If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form (PD100), you may call the ODFW human resources office at (503) 947-6051 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Caren E. Braby, PhD Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife 63357 Boat Basin Road P.O. Box 5003 Charleston, OR 97420 (541) 888-5515

The Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research (CILER), administered by the University of Michigan, announces the 2008 Great Lakes Summer Student Fellowship Program. The 2008 program is hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the U.S.Geological Survey’s (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. We seek to fill twenty-four (24) full-time, twelve-week positions. Preference is given to currently enrolled or just-graduated undergraduates, although graduate student applications will also be considered. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of $5,000 for the twelve-week fellowship. Summer fellowships are available in a broad range of fields including Aquatic Ecology, Communications, Outreach and Education, Maritime Archaeology, Data Analysis, Modeling, Marine Instrumentation, Fisheries, Oceanography, and Wetlands/GIS. Details on the individual fellowship opportunities are listed at: http://ciler.snre.umich.edu/summerfellowspositions.php. All application materials are located on the CILER website (http://ciler.snre.umich.edu). Fellowship applications must contain: 1. a completed application form 2. a résumé 3. transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable and can be mailed or e-mailed separately) 4. one reference letter (can be sent electronically if it originates from the reference writer) E-mail applications to: GLsummerfellows@umich.edu All application material is due 22-February, 2008. Late applications will not be considered. Decisions about all positions will be made by 21-March, 2008. For specific questions about each opportunity, contact the individual mentors. These e-mail addresses are provided with the opportunity descriptions. The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer

Welcome Darin! Jump in the water's fine! Glad to have another scientist on board and another contact with Wisconsin roots. We've been getting to know the Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance a bit recently...great fisheries up there. And here!

Jack Browning needs help at a sport show in Milwaukee from February 14th through February 16th. I'm helping on the 17th. Any help at all Jack can get would be a big help to the Alliance at large. We share common borders and common fish with Wisconsin. People with a Lake Michigan interest would be especially welcome...or the group that went to the Wisconsin River, or anyone who fishes the Driftless. PM Jack Browning, Jim J or myself

Yep. Cool topic. I guess when I look at this, my first thoughts are: 1. Obey the law. 2. When in doubt, base your values on sustaining the natives. 3. The fishery comes second to the fish. Just because something fights well absolutely doesn't mean it "should" be some place. There are many cases where one fishery wipes out another. If we're wiping out native fish with introduced fisheries...we're doing great, irreparable, inexcusable harm. We've recently had a good discussion about spotted bass here so I won't go back into that much. I don't creel spotted bass on the rivers I fish because they're natives and most of them are well over 12 inches and it's a reasonably good fishery created by sedimentation and poor environmental conditions. If they were all dinks I might take some. Taking a few spots won't help my stream become a better smallmouth stream. Handling the erosion issues upstream will. The Missouri Alliance does indeed have a "spotted bass rodeo" every year on the Meramec River, and has had the regulations there changed in hopes of reducing the numbers of spotted bass in that drainage. They consider spotted bass to be an invasive species in that drainage. It would be interesting to find out how those populations fared over time since that effort began. Some would say the best you can do is reduce the average size of a fish in a population like that, but you can't really get their numbers down. I suspect you can impact their numbers in some cases, but it would probably take a sustained, intense, intentional effort. If that were occurring, I would support what they're doing. In general, I would creel anything non-native and not think twice about it. The only natives I creel are panfish or in places where harvest has very limited potential to do harm (and is legal). The trout we have here in Illinois are not natives, and are stocked for put and take fisheries, I creel them. In their native ranges? No, I would not creel those. Similarly, I would creel smallmouth fisheries that have been exported to sites where they did not occur naturally. Many of those inland lakes in Canada where lake trout occur and smallmouth have been stocked on top of them, have declining populations of lake trout now. Research has shown that the smallmouth and lake trout are in direct competition during the spring months with lake trout while the lake trout are in shallower habitat. Where lake trout and smallmouth bass co-occur the growth and reproduction of lake trout decrease. If smallmouth were encroaching into quality brook trout streams in the Appalachians I might well creel them there. Rock bass? They're native here and similar to pan fish (although relatively slow growing for a pan fish). As a rule, I release them. If I were aching for a shore lunch and I really wanted to creel something, I might take a few. I still don't think I've harvested more than 6 in my whole life. I definitely wouldn't creel rock bass for conservation purposes. The best smallmouth streams I know also have rock bass in them. Taking them out might reduce competition and increase smallmouth bass growth...or it may do something else you didn't expect. That's my take.

That doesn't have to be the case at all. Quite the opposite. The all the officers at the ISA have valued the association between OMC and the ISA. The conditions that caused Joseph to withdraw are being redressed. The outpouring of support for him and his shop make it clear that Joseph is very welcome here. Personally speaking, I hope Joseph does choose to return. I know all the ISA officers feel the same way.

Brian's statements here reflect the best hopes of pulling this all together. The leadership of all of the active alliances that I know about (including Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana) have been contacted and invited to that discussion, and they have all accepted that invitation. If there are other Alliances that want to participate, they are welcome as well. Some of that discussion will occur here. Some of it will occur in private. Bringing large groups of people together is a complicated process and it will go much more smoothly in a cooperative, low-key environment. Please have patience as this goes forward, be welcoming to the new participants and by all means, do what you can to meet and greet the new registrants on the ISA forum.

If anyone is still working on the National Alliance, I'd love to hear from them. I got a note that someone in Missouri was making inquiries, but from all the feedback I've gotten across the alliances, I don't think anything has happened there for a long time. This is all in the preliminary stages. If anyone is out there who has been working on this, please do speak up.

Welcome Dave and THE Ohio Smallmouth Alliance members! I'll have to swing by the new TOSA site and see what's up.

Post-doctoral Scientist in Aquatic Ecology * Ohio State University - Aquatic Ecology Laboratory /(Watershed Effects on Lake Erie Yellow Perch)/ Dr. Stuart A. Ludsin has two (2) years of support for a post-doctoral scientist to work with an interdisciplinary team of researchers that is exploring how watershed-derived inputs of nutrients and sediments influence Lake Erie yellow perch foraging, growth, health/condition, survival, and recruitment to the fishery, through both bottom-up (e.g., by enhancing zooplankton prey to larvae) and top-down (e.g., by reducing predation mortality on larvae) processes. The successful candidate's primary responsibilities will be to: 1) write manuscripts that synthesize a wealth of available limnological, field-biological, experimental, otolith microchemical, RNA:DNA analysis, and genetics data; 2) supervise technicians; 3) participate in field work (and lab work, if interested); and 4) if interested, help develop a spatially-explicit individual-based model that integrates this suite of field/lab information. Owing to a wealth of data in hand, the incumbent could immediately begin to analyze data, write manuscripts, and/or begin developing an individual-based model. Opportunities to help develop research projects consistent with the incumbent's interests also likely will arise. *Location: *The incumbent would join a dynamic, interactive group of graduate students, post-docs, visiting scholars, and faculty at The Ohio State University's Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL; http://ael.osu.edu/), which is housed within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB), where Dr. Ludsin recently joined the faculty (http://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~eeob/drupal//?q=userpages/176 <http://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/%7Eeeob/drupal/?q=userpages/176>'>http://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/%7Eeeob/drupal/?q=userpages/176>). *Qualifications:* A successful applicant will be creative, motivated, and capable of working well both independently and cooperatively. Minimum qualifications include a PhD in ecology, aquatic sciences, biology, or a related field. Strong quantitative and written skills are required. Experience supervising personnel, conducting field work, and/or developing individual-based models is highly desired. Knowledge of ArcGIS also would be useful. *How to apply:* Please electronically submit a cover letter, CV, and names/contact information of three references to Stuart Ludsin at ludsin.1@osu.edu <mailto:ludsin.1@osu.edu>* *or mail/FAX your materials to him at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, 1314 Kinnear Road, 232 Research Center, Columbus, OH 43212 (Fax: 614-292-0181). Application review will begin on February 1, 2008, and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. An ideal start date would be before April 1, 2008; however, it could be pushed back, if necessary. Feel free to direct questions to Stuart Ludsin at ludsin.1@osu.edu <mailto:ludsin.1@osu.edu> or 614-292-1613. ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________ *Post-doctoral Scientist in Aquatic Ecology* Ohio State University - Aquatic Ecology Laboratory /(Coastal Hypoxia: Fish Ecologist/Ecological Modeler)/// *Description:* We have two (2) years of support for a Post-doctoral scientist in fish ecology/ecological modeling. The successful candidate will work directly with *Dr. Stuart Ludsin* (The Ohio State University; http://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~ee...q=userpages/176 <http://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/%7Eeeob/drupal/?q=userpages/176>) and secondarily with *Dr. Tomas Hook* (University of Michigan; http://www-personal.umich.edu/~thook/ <http://www-personal.umich.edu/%7Ethook/>) on an interdisciplinary research project that seeks to understand the ecological effects of hypoxia on Lake Erie's food web, including fish behavior, growth, and recruitment. The primary responsibility of the incumbent will be to develop and apply various models (spatially-explicit bioenergetics, statistical), using extant physical and biological field data, as well as output from other physical and lower trophic level models. The incumbent also will work with colleagues at NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and the University of Maryland to synthesize a wealth of fish acoustics, zooplankton, and physical data collected in Chesapeake Bay, the northern Gulf or Mexico, and Lake Erie to identify how hypoxia has been influencing aquatic food webs and fishery dynamics in those systems. Through such interactions, we anticipate that opportunities to develop additional research projects consistent with the incumbent's interests will arise. *Location: *The incumbent would join a dynamic, interactive group of graduate students, post-docs, visiting scholars, and faculty at The Ohio State University's Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL; http://ael.osu.edu/), which is housed within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB), where Dr. Ludsin recently joined the faculty. *Qualifications:* A successful applicant will be creative, motivated, and capable of working well, both independently and cooperatively. Minimum qualifications include a PhD in ecology, aquatic sciences, biology, or a related field. Strong quantitative and written skills are required. Experience in developing/applying ecological and/or statistical models is desired. Application review has already begun, and we hope to identify potential candidates to interview before February 1, 2008. Start date is flexible, although we would ideally like the successful candidate to begin before summer 2008. Feel free to direct questions to Stuart Ludsin at ludsin.1@osu.edu ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________ *********************************************** *********************************************** Stuart A. Ludsin 1314 Kinnear Rd., 232 Research Center Aquatic Ecology Laboratory Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 43212 Phone: 614-292-1613 Fax: 614-292-0181 Email: ludsin.1@osu.edu <mailto:ludsin.1@osu.edu>http://eeob.osu.edu/~eeob/drupal//?q=userpages/176/ <http://eeob.osu.edu/%7Eeeob/drupal/?q=userpages/176/>

Welcome to the ISA boards, Jack. I agree there is significant duplication of effort and huge potential for benefits through co-operation between the state alliances.

Department of Biology University of Vermont Twelve month assistantship for PhD student to work on one of two possibleprojects: (1) Lake Champlain watershed database modeling or (2) diseasemodeling based on Chagas disease or whirling disease. The student will have two advisors, Lori Stevens, Professor of Biologyhttp://www.uvm.edu/~biology/Faculty/Stevens/Stevens.htmland Donna Rizzo, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineeringhttp://www.cems.uvm.edu/~rizgroup/ The student’s home department will be Biology.http://www.uvm.edu/~biology/ Graduate Research Assistantships are $30,000 for twelve months of support. Students pay non-research course tuition and health care insurance and fees from their assistantship funds ($6000-$7000/year). The GRA is renewable fora second year if the student is in good standing and the student will besupported by the GRA or other sources for up to 5 years if they remain ingood standing. • Interested students should contact Lori Stevens for further information.lori.stevens@uvm.edu• Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2008 but early inquiries and applicationsreceive preference.

Prairie Rivers Network seeks an energetic and self motivated individual to lead an organization working with state agencies, scientists, other advocacy groups, and citizens to protect Illinois’ 87,000 miles of rivers and streams. Individuals with fundraising, program development and advocacy skills with knowledge of the Clean Water Act and its implementation are strongly urged to apply. Organization Prairie Rivers Network is Illinois' statewide river conservation organization and an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. Founded in 1967, the organization is headquartered in a dynamic university community. We work to restore and protect Illinois' rivers for the benefit of people, fish, and wildlife. Our work is organized in three program areas: Clean Water, Habitat Protection, and Outreach and Education. For more information about programs and staff: www.prairierivers.org Principal Duties The Executive Director is responsible for the overall administration and management of the organization. This is a full-time position, hired by and directly accountable to the Board of Directors through its elected president. The principal duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director include: • Serving as the primary planner for the organization. • Providing information for evaluation of the organization’s programs. • Overseeing work plans for the organization and the staff. • Leading, developing and managing the staff. • Providing staff support and regular reporting to the Board of Directors. • Developing and directing fund raising program. • Developing and administering annual budget and reporting to Board. • Overseeing the finances of the organization. • Overseeing the implementation of a communications program. • Coordinating advocacy to government officials. • Developing and maintaining relationships with partner organizations. Qualifications Bachelors Degree required, Masters Degree highly desirable. Five years of responsible executive or senior manager experience in a not for profit organization preferred. The preferred applicant will be a proven leader with strong communication skills; a person who can establish relationships with donors, government officials, leaders of other conservation organizations and members of the Board; who has experience in organizational management and fundraising; who has the ability to think strategically and has experience in conservation issues; and with demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a highly qualified and dedicated staff. Compensation Commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, contact information for three references and a brief writing sample (no longer than three pages) to: info@prairierivers.org

Holy crap! I left town a few days after Christmas and have been packing and planning for a long trip to Central America. This totally slipped under my radar, Dick. I'll check it out. Copper Slough feeds the Kaskaskia which enters Lake Shelbyville. It also receives effluent from Champaign's sewage treatment plant downstream from the spill site. It's poor smallmouth habitat at best, but a few were collected there recently and Trent Thomas and others (including myself) have been hoping to get a smallmouth population re-established above Lake Shelbyville (they disappeared in the Kaskaskia above Lake Shelbyville when the dam was built). Edit: http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=10437 This article seems to be minimizing the effects of the spill. Hopefully they're right. They're talking about the spill occurring near Kaufman Lake in the article. Kaufman lake is a park districk lake with a reasonable urban largemouth population in it. All of these waterways are in urban areas.