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
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