One of the best things about taking a kayaking trip (and being in nature, in general!) is seeing all of the plants and animals that inhabit the river and surrounding area. Luckily for you, you can see all kinds of plants and animals when you book a trip with Paddle the River!

What You Could See on the Cuyahoga River

The Cuyahoga River is a very diverse habitat that provides a home for a variety of different species. When kayaking on the Cuyahoga River, you have the opportunity to see fish, amphibians, insects, and even benthic macroinvertebrates like worms, crustaceans, and immature aquatic insects. The Cuyahoga River is also a designated scenic river, so you’re bound to see some amazing creatures!

FISH YOU MIGHT SEE:

• Northern pike

• Bullhead

• Catfish

• Perch

• Bluegill

• Goldfish

• Golden shiner

• Common carp

• Freshwater drum

• Eastern gizzard shad

• Small- and Largemouth Bass

BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES YOU MIGHT SEE:

• Stonefly nymphs

• Mayfly nymphs

• Caddisfly larvae

INSECTS YOU MIGHT SEE:

• Mayflies

• Stoneflies

• Riffle beetles

• Caddisflies

• Dragonflies

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS YOU MIGHT SEE:

• Painted turtles

• Snapping turtles

• Treefrogs

• Bullfrogs

• Green frogs

OTHER WILDLIFE YOU MIGHT SEE:

• White-tailed deer

• Blue herons

• Ducks

• Geese

What You Could See at the Mahoning River

The forest-filled banks of the Mahoning River make it an ideal environment for a number of aquatic creatures. Tree roots provide cover for fish and other critters to hide in while leaves and other surrounding vegetation provide the primary food source of many organisms living in the river.

The Mahoning River is home to over 60 species of fish.

HERE ARE A FEW THAT YOU MIGHT SEE:

• A variety of minnows

• Emerald shiner

• Sunfish

• Rainbow darter

• Log perch

• Creek chub

• Warmouth bass

• Black crappie

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS YOU MIGHT SEE:

• A variety of toads

• Frogs

• Turtles

• Salamanders

OTHER WILDLIFE YOU MIGHT SEE:

• Muskrats

• Mink

• Deer

• Squirrels

• Wood ducks

• Cottontail rabbits

• Hawks

• Owls

• Herons

Invasive Species in Ohio Rivers

While we love to see native wildlife on our kayaking trips, there are a few species that we, unfortunately, don’t want to see in our NEO rivers. These are just a few invasive species in Ohio and why they’re bad for the environment.

SOME INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES THAT CROWD OUT NATIVE SPECIES:

• Various types of algae

• Brazilian Waterweed

• Brittle Naiad

• Common Reed

• Curly-leaf Pondweed

• Didymo

• Eurasian Watermilfoil

• Fanwort

SOME INVASIVE INVERTEBRATES:

• Asian Clam – blocks water flow to native plants and increases water clarity, leading to excessive plant growth and changing nutrient and water quality.

• Mystery Snail – transmit parasites and diseases that can infect native species and even humans.

• Quagga and Zebra Mussels – alter water quality and increase the growth of harmful algae while decreasing food sources for native species.

• Red Swamp Crayfish – competes with native crayfish for food and habitats, as well as carrying crayfish fungus plague.

• Rusty Crayfish – compete with native crayfish for food and habitats.

SOME INVASIVE FISH:

• Alewife – competes with native fish for limited food sources.

• Common carp – destroys vegetation and dislodges plants used as spawning sites for native species.

• Mosquitofish – alters the food web and displaces native fish due to rapid reproduction.

• Grass carp – competes with native fish for food and changes water quality.

• Round Goby – feeds on the eggs and young of native fish.

Although there are invasive species that are harmful to the environment, there are many more species of wildlife that help to keep the ecosystem balanced. Next time you book a trip with Paddle the River, make sure to watch out for all these critters!