Fish of Big Timber Creek
Before the area regional sewage plants that were built in the mid 1980's, to comply with the federal clean air and water act, the Big Timber Creek and the Delaware River were very polluted. It was estimated that poorly treated sewage made up to 20% of the volume of Big Timber Creek. Not many animal or fish species lived in or near the creek. Since the modern plants came on line the water of the creek has vastly improved and many species of fish have returned or were reintroduced by stocking. Although he fish have returned, there are advisories from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection about eating any caught in the creek because of past pollution.
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The Sunfish grows up to 10 inches long and is an important for food source for larger fish and wading birds. It makes saucer shaped nests in the sand to lay its eggs and is common in the creek.
The Striped Bass is a member of the bass family and can grow very large. Fish weighing over 70lbs have been caught in the Delaware River and the record for the species is a 125 lb fish caught off of North Carolina in 1891. They feed on smaller fished and are common in Big Timber Creek.
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The Large Mouth Bass is a member of the Bass family and feeds on smaller fish, frogs, crayfish, and insects. It is common in Big Timber Creek and grows up to 10lbs. in this area.
The Yellow Perch eats insects, small fish, snails, and crayfish and travel in schools. Fish up to 1.5 lbs. are caught in Big Timber Creek and the record for this species is 4lbs. 3 ounces caught on Crosswicks Creek, near the Delaware River, in 1865.
The White Perch is found in fresh, brackish, and salt water and eats insects, small fish, snails, and crayfish. They grow up to 2 lbs. and are an important food source for wading birds.
The Channel Catfish feed on fish, insects, and crustaceans and lives on the bottom of the creek. Fish up to 10 lbs. have been caught in the Delaware River and its maximum size is up to 60 lbs.