Fast Facts: 54 Native species of fish in Minnesota Lakes 100
more species not native or living in streams
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Fish Class Review Agnatha Jawless Fish MN Representative:
Native Lamprey Chondricthyes Cartilage Skeleton No MN
Representative Osteichthyes Boney Skeleton Everything else
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Native LampreyNative Lamprey vs. Sea LampreySea Lamprey Dorsal
Fin Difference
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Walleye Stizostedion vitreum Largest member of the Perch family
Spawn when water temp reaches 45-50 o F Feeds well when water temp
is 55-70 o F Prefers waters that are clean, cool, and relatively
deep. Must contain plenty of forage fish and a good supply of
rubble and rock.
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Sauger Stizostedion canadense Smaller cousin to walleye; Found
near Canadian Border State record 6lbs 3oz.
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Yellow Perch Yellow Perch Perca flavescences Prefer cool, clean
lakes that have sand and gravel bottoms Average size take fishing =
lbs.
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Perch Family Comparison Not heavily scaled on operculum No dark
spots on dorsal fin Large, glossy eye WalleyeSaugerYellow Perch
Heavily scaled operculum Spots on anterior dorsal fin Dark blotchy
look to the body Pinkish belly Spines on the operculum Dorsal fin
very spiny Dark green vertical bands on a light green- yellow
background
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Northern Pike Esox lucious Max weight = 50 lbs, 4ft length
(state = 45 lbs 12oz.) More fusiforme in structure Good predators
that work in close range
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Muskie Esox masquinongy State record: 54 lbs. Spawns when water
temp reaches 50-60 o F in shallow areas of rivers or streams Feeds
best at 60-80 o F on fish, crayfish, large insects, shore birds,
ducks and muskrats
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Pike Family Comparison White spots on a dark background Five or
fewer pores on underside of jaw Operculum not scaled on the bottom
portion Rounded caudal fin Dark spots on light background Six or
more pores on each side of under jaw Head entirely scaled Pointed
caudal fin Largest member of family Northern PikeMuskellunge
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Pike Family Comparison Northern PikeMuskellunge Dark markings
on a light background (as on a Muskie) Rounded caudal fin (as on
Northern) Eggs + Milt Tiger Muskie
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Crappie A species of pan fish due to their shape. Spawn early
in summer in deeper waters. Males guard the nest in waters above 58
o F. Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Habitat: Quiet waters
with plenty of vegetation State record = 5 lbs. White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis Habitat: Water that is more open and less
vegetative State record = 3lbs. 4 oz.
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Crappie Family Comparison Dark body with silver lower portion
on sides 7-8 spines on the dorsal fin Silvery color with dark spots
5-6 spines on the dorsal fin Black Crappie White Crappie
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Smallmouth Bass - Micopterus dolomieui State record = 8lbs.
Deeper, cooler waters than other bass. Rocky, sandy, gravel or
boulder bottoms. Will be down to depths of about 30 ft. Spawn when
water temps reach 60-70 o F Feeds at the same water temp (bait
fish, insects/larvae, crayfish).
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Largemouth Bass Micopterus salmoides State Record = 8lbs. 13oz.
Likes shallow warm waters that are sandy/muddy. Likes sparse
vegetation. Spawns when temps are about 62 o F Feeds when temps are
between 65-73 o F (crayfish, small bait fish, worms, frogs and
insects).
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Bass Family Comparison Smallmouth BassLargemouth Bass Brownish
or bronze with vertical olive colored bars Closed mouth reaches to
front of eye No vertical bars Closed mouth extends to back of
eye
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Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis State record = 6lbs. 5oz.
Found in clear, cold streams and rivers that have a max temp around
66 o F. (Indicator species)
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Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush State record = 43lbs. 8oz.
Likes deep, cold lakes (100 ft. or more) Eats many different bait
fish but prefer Ciscoes.
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Big Fish!
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Brown Trout Salmo trutta State record 16lbs. 12oz. Spawns in
the fall when temps are near 57 o F Feeds on insects, mollusks and
other fish.
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Trout Family Comparison Red spots with blue halos Lower fins
have white leading edge with black and orange Dark background with
white spots Deeply forked tail White leading edge of lower fins
Yellow/Brown/Silver with dark spots Lower fins have white or pale
yellow look Brook TroutLake Trout Brown Trout
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SAH-WEET FISH ADAPTATIONS! 1.LungfishLungfish 2.Archer
FishArcher Fish 3.HagfishHagfish