Fish

Ninety-Six National Historic Site encompasses over 1,000 acres and its water sources are part of the Saluda River drainage (Santee River system). There are two ponds found at this Historic Site, the Star Fort Pond, and a small marsh along with many small streams. Many varied species of fish live in these ponds but here are a few you might catch at the Star Fort Pond.

 

Warmouth

NPS/Mark Scott

Warmouth Sunfish (Lepomis gulosus)

Diet: Warmouth's are sight-feeders (this means they eat or try to eat everything they see) that feed mostly on insects, crayfish, and smaller fish.
Lifespan: 3-8 years.
Habitat: Swamps, marshes, shallow lakes, slow-moving streams, and canals with soft, muddy bottoms.
Where to find: Throughout much of the south in the Mississippi River Drainage, Gulf and Atlantic coasts and northward to the Chesapeake Bay, westward throughout Texas to the Rio Grande and Northward into the Great Lakes Basin area.
Season of Sight: Spring and Summer
Breeding Season: May to August
Fun Fact: Warmouth’s are commonly mistaken for being rock bass.

 

Flat Bullhead Catfish

NPS/Mark Scott

Flat Bullhead Catfish (Ameiurus platycephalus)

Diet: Flat Bullheads eat aquatic invertebrates such as crayfish, freshwater mussels, snails, insects, fish eggs, plants, and other fish.
Lifespan: Up to 24 years.
Habitat: Small to large rivers with mud/sand/rock beds, lakes, ponds, and impoundments
Where to find: Streams on the Atlantic Piedmont and Coastal Plain from the Roanoke River in Virginia to the Altamaha River drainage in Georgia.
Season of Sight: Spring and Summer.
Breeding Season: June to August.
Fun Fact: Flat bullheads are elusive and hard to find so if you do happen to see one considered yourself lucky!

 

Golden Shiner

NPS/Mark Scott

Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleaucas)

Diet: Plankton and small crustaceans
Lifespan: 1-6 years.
Habitat: Vegetated lakes, ponds, swamp, and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers.
Where to find: Lakes, ponds, swamps, small and medium rivers, and pools of creeks.
Season of Sight: Summer and Spring.
Breeding Season: May through August.
Fun Fact: During the breeding season male golden shiners will turn a deep golden color to attract mates which also makes them very visible to predators.