They are said to predate dinosaurs. They resemble a shark and can grow to over 20 feet. The paddlefish is the oldest surviving animal species in North America and it is home again in the Minnesota River.

Paddlefish frequent many types of riverine habitats but often seek out deeper, low current areas such as side channels, backwaters and oxbows. For some 50 years, there were no documented reports of paddlefish in the Minnesota River.

And then, in the spring of 2004, staff from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hutchinson Fisheries office caught a 22-pound paddlefish in a large mesh gillnet near Granite Falls. There was also a report earlier in the spring of several dead paddlefish that apparently became isolated in an off-channel pool when water levels dropped.

“It could be that the paddlefish is rediscovering the Minnesota River, a possible indication of improving water quality,” said Huon Newburg, DNR southern region fisheries manager at New Ulm. “You just never know what you might find lurking in the great ol’ Minnesota River.”

Paddlefish are protected in Minnesota. Paddlelfish, accidentally caught, must be immediately released into the water.