Get to know the Gizzard Shad, a native fish that eats mud, feeds sportfish, and has something in common with birds! On this episode we delve into the ecology of this fish (including competition with invasive carp and positive interactions with native mussels), its nuanced role in nutrient cycling, and how the public perceives and interacts with Gizzard Shad. We've even got some math for folks who like working with numbers and want to optimize decision-making in fisheries. Our guests are Mike Vanni from Miami University and Richie Erickson from the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center.