Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1

Assessment Summary – April 2008

Common name : Paddlefish

Scientific name : Polyodonspathula

Status : Extirpated

Reason for designation : This fish, once found in the Great Lakes, was apparently never common in the Canadian portion of its range. It has not been observed in Canadian waters since 1917 despite extensive sampling and the fact that such a distinctive fish would have been easily recognizable

Occurrence : Ontario

Status history : Disappeared from Canada in approximately 1917. Designated Extirpated in April 1987. Status re–examined and confirmed in May 2000 and April 2008. Last assessment based on an update status report.