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Endangered Species Program

Conserving and restoring threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems

Photo by Nick Rowse; USFWS

Winged Mapleleaf (Quadrula fragosa)

Status: Endangered

Photo by USFWS

Status: Endangered, listed June 20, 1991

Habitat: Medium to large rivers in mud, sand, or gravel

Lead Region: 3

Region 3 Lead Office: Twin Cities Field Office

Range: Arkansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin

Listen to a podcast!

Find out about the winged mapleleaf mussel and its conservation from field biologist Phil Delphey.

Audio Clip

The winged mapleleaf is an endangered freshwater mussel. Once known to live in about 38 different rivers from Minnesota to Arkansas, it is now found in only 5 rivers: the St. Croix River in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Ouachita and Saline Rivers in Arkansas, and the Bourbeuse River in Missouri. The St. Croix River contains the only population known to be reproducing. Propagation efforts are progressing with hopes of restocking portions of the mapleleaf's historic range.