HR 115 (LSB 6073YH (3) 86)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 115

BY  KELLEY, MEYER, WOLFE, GAINES, and BROWN-POWERS

A Resolution urging designation of the Iowa brook trout as the official state fish for the State of Iowa.

   WHEREAS, the Iowa brook trout (salvelinus fontinalis) is a fish native to Iowa that is found almost exclusively in the northeastern portion of the state in select spring-fed streams; and
   WHEREAS, brook trout are the only trout species native to Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa brook trout is readily recognizable and distinguishable from other trout by two main characteristics: vivid white lines on the front or leading edge of the lower fins, and light wormy streaks or mottling called vermiculations on the darker background of the trout’s top portion or back; and
   WHEREAS, a male Iowa brook trout at spawning time is among the most beautiful of all fish with deep red-yellow-crimson coloration along the belly and numerous red and pale yellow spots sometimes surrounded by a blue-colored circle on its sides; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa brook trout’s beautiful coloration and scarcity add immeasurably to its aesthetic value; and
   WHEREAS, the normal length of an Iowa brook trout during the third year of life is 10 to 13 inches; and
   WHEREAS, an Iowa brook trout that weighs over one pound is considered a trophy; and
   WHEREAS, a female Iowa brook trout matures at about two years of age while most males mature during the first year of life; and
   WHEREAS, life expectancy of the Iowa brook trout is seldom longer than three years; and
   WHEREAS, natural reproduction of the Iowa brook trout is presently limited to only a few streams in the state; and
   WHEREAS, in order to survive, the Iowa brook trout must have the coldest and cleanest of stream conditions; and
   WHEREAS, continual pollution, heavy siltation, or other water quality degradation of Iowa’s streams will extirpate the species forever; and
   WHEREAS, disappearance of the Iowa brook trout will foretell the disappearance of the last of our state’s purest coldwater streams; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa brook trout is the perfect symbol of our state’s ongoing efforts to save and reestablish healthy waters; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives supports efforts to preserve and to reestablish healthy waters and to raise awareness of all aquatic species in the state by urging that the Iowa brook trout be designated as the official state fish for the State of Iowa.