Wildlife and Recreation ManagementMr. Lemmons Freshwater Fish

IDENTIFYING FISHShape and number of spinesNumber of type of scalesTeethEye diameterInternal anatomyLocation of specific body parts.

Why do fish change color?STRESS!!1. Being hooked2. Being removed from water3. Environmental changes4. Spawning

Dorsal FinCaudal FinAnal FinPelvic FinPectoral FinOperculum

Bluegill

1/2 as deep as longunder 1 thickblue color on lower portion of both the jaw and operculumColor is NOT a good way to identify

Dark round spot on the rear dorsal fin5-9 dark vertical bands running down their sides.Aka: Bream, Brim, Perch, Sunfish, SunperchAverage size 4 - 6 ozState Record 2.02 Lampasas River

Bluegill

Red Eared Sunfish

Produced from a Bluegill and Pumpkinseed crossbreeds.Red Eared Sunfish

Crappie

Both Black and White (black = 7-8 dorsal spines, white = 6 dorsal spines.)Very thin, perhaps the thinnest of all sunfish8-10 inches is commonWHITE CRAPPIE:Nest BuildersAverage 3/4 to 1 1/2 lbs.

Crappie

WHITE CRAPPIE CONT.State Record 4.56 lbs. Navarro Mills LakeVertical Bars on the sideBLACK CRAPPIENorth and East TexasIrregular Dark side blotchesAverage size 3/4 - 1 1/4 lbs.State Record 3.92 lbs- Lake Fork

Yellow Perch

Golden Yellow Coloration on their sides. (may vary)6-8 dark vertical bands along their sideshave two dorsal fins, membrane between the two is blackcaudal fin is slightly rounded and forked

Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Upper jaw extends beyond the eyeDeep notch in dorsal finCaudal fin is forked and roundedBrown and gold eyesDark, irregular horizontal stripe along lateral lineDorsal Fin almost divided12-13 Rays in Soft Dorsal Fin (rear section)aka: Black bass, green trout, bigmouth bass, lineside bass2-6 lbs averageState Record 18.18 lbs. - Lake Fork

Largemouth Bass

White Bass

White BassOriginated in Caddo LakeState wideDouble dorsal finaka: Sand bass, barfish, streaker, silver bass1 to 1 1/2 pounds averageState record 5.56 pounds - Colorado river

Striped BassIntroduced Largest member of the bass family2 sharp points on gill cover7 - 8 horizontal stripesState record 53 pounds - Brazos river

Yellow BassOften confused with white bassLower 2 stripes brokenAverage size 1/2 poundState record 1.44 pounds Cedar Creek Lake

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth BassUpper jaw does not extends beyond the eyeSlight notch in dorsal finCaudal fin is not forked and not roundedRed eyeDark, vertical stripe along sidesLarge clear water lakesState record 7.93 pounds - Lake Meredith

Rock Bass

Brown eyeBrown coloration, with light vertical stripes along the sidesHeavy bodiedaka: warmouth, goggle eyeAverage size 8 ozState Record 1.3 lbs- Town Lake

Rock Bass

Other BassGuadalupe BassFlowing watersaka: Guadalupe spotted bassState record 4.69 - San Marcos River

Other Bass Spotted Bass Native to East TexasConfused with LargemouthKentucky spotted bass, spotted black bassState record 5.62 pounds Lake Alan Henry

Hybrid Striped BassWhite Bass X Striped BassState Record 19.66 pounds - Lake Ray Hubbard

Channel Catfish

Scaleless, tough skin8 barbelsThree sharp spines, (1 dorsal, 2 pectoral)Black spots on lower side of bodyPopular with Trotlinersaka: Willow cat, forked-tail catDeeply forked caudal finExcellent table qualityAverage 2-3 lbs.State Record 36.5 lbs - Pedernales RiverChannel Catfish

Flathead Catfish

Scaleless, tough skin8 barbelsThree sharp spines, (1 dorsal, 2 pectoral)No spots on lower side of bodysquared caudal finaka: Yellow cat, opelousas, mud cat, shovelhead catflattened headlower lip protrudes past upper lip

Flathead Catfish

Yellow Bullhead

Scaleless, tough skin8 barbelsSharp spines (1 dorsal, 2 pectoral)Black, Brown or Yellow speciesPolliwog, chucklehead catCaudal fin is slightly notched and squaredTexas nongame fishYellow Bullhead

Carp Grass and Common

Common Carp

Rough fishVery scalyBarbelsConsidered a nuisance to American Anglers, prized in EuropeMuch like a sucker fishaka: German or European CarpNongame FishCommon Carp

Grass Carp

Harmful to Native resources100% HerbivorousUsed for vegetation controlTexas NongameTriploid (sterile) are legal for use in Texas onlyMust have permit to obtain.Aka: White amurGrass Carp

Freshwater DrumGaspergou, sheepsheadOnly freshwater member of drum familyForces air into smaller air bladdersState record 34.7 pounds - Texoma

GarAlligator GarSpotted GarShortnose GarLongnose Gar

Alligator GarOthers - Spotted, Longnose, ShortnoseAir breather - can survive in stagnant waterLong, cylindrical bodyHard, interlocking scalesState record 279 pounds - Rio Grande River

Fish need areas of protectionStreams and Rivers:Riffles, pockets, poolsOverhangsCurrent breakersDams, waterfalls

LAKES:Depth ChangesWeedy ShallowsGravel BarsChannelsRoad BedsTrees & ObstructionsFish need areas of protection