Caudal Fin Dorsal Fin Operculum Pectoral Fin Anal Fin Pelvic Fin

Bluegill

Bluegill 1/2 as deep as long under 1” thick blue color on lower portion of both the jaw and operculum Color is NOT a good way to identify Dark round spot on the rear dorsal fin 5-9 dark vertical bands running down their sides.

Pumpkinseed

Pumpkinseed Lateral facial markings Scarlet spot on opercle flap 7-8 dark vertical bands Very similar to bluegill Very colorful, but color is a poor ID indicator.

Red Eared Sunfish

Red Eared Sunfish Produced from a Bluegill and Pumpkinseed crossbreeds. Looks very similar to Bluegill or Pumpkinseed, but slight differences.

Crappie

Crappie Both Black and White (black = 7-8 dorsal spines, white = 6 dorsal spines.) Mottled Markings Color is not a good identification indicator Very thin, perhaps the thinnest of all sunfish 8-10 inches is common

Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch Golden Yellow Coloration on their sides. (may vary) 6-8 dark vertical bands along their sides have two dorsal fins, membrane between the two is black caudal fin is slightly rounded and forked 3.5 times as long as deep unlike walleyes, they do not have canines

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Upper jaw extends beyond the eye Deep notch in dorsal fin Caudal fin is forked and rounded Golden-brown eye Dark, irregular horizontal stripe along lateral line

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Upper jaw does not extends beyond the eye Slight notch in dorsal fin Caudal fin is not forked and not rounded Red eye Dark, vertical stripe along sides

White Bass

White Bass Brown eye Silver color many dark, horizontal lines along the sides

Rock Bass

Rock Bass Brown eye Brown coloration, with light vertical stripes along the sides

Walleye

Walleye Canines along the lower jaw irregularly-shaped vertical blotches along sides Upper half of body has mottled vertical stripes Dark blotch on back of anterior dorsal fin, no spots on dorsal fin Silvery, opaque marble eyes that glow in the dark White tip on lower edge of caudal fin

Sauger

Sauger Very similar to a walleye spots on the anterior dorsal fin, no black blotch at the back of anterior dorsal no white tip on low caudal fin

Northern Pike

Northern Pike Hard-muscled, tube-shaped fish with elongated body and a flat, duckbill snout light, bean-shaped markings that run the length of the body in horizontal rows Tiger-striped fins Rounded caudal, pelvic and pectoral fins Scales cover the cheek and upper half of the operculum 5-7 pores on each side of lower jaw

Muskellunge

Muskellunge Hard-muscled, tube-shaped fish with elongated body and a flat, duckbill snout vertical stripes along each side of the fish Tiger-striped fins Pointed caudal, pelvic and pectoral fins No scales on the cheek and upper half of the operculum 6-9 pores on each side of lower jaw

Brook Trout

Brook Trout Has an elongated and compressed body squared-tail wormlike markings on back and head red spots along the side of their bodies with blue halos. Lower fins have a white leading edge, followed by a black border

Brown Trout

Brown Trout “X” shaped markings on back and upper half of their body squared tail numerous small spots on the head inside of the mouth is white 10-12 anal rays

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout Many small spots on the body Distinctive pink horizontal stripe down each side of the body squared tail with spots 10-12 anal rays

Lake Trout

Lake Trout Silvery color with irregular wormlike markings on back and dorsal fin Light spots in body and tail deeply forked tail with spots on edge leading to the body 10-11 rays in their anal fin inside of mouth is white

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon Some black spots on upper half of body grey-black mouth, with teeth set in black gums squared tail with spots on both halves 15-19 anal rays

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon Small black spots on backs, sides above the lateral line, base of dorsal fin, and upper half of caudal fin. Inside of mouth is grey or black, with teeth set in white gums Slightly forked tail 12-15 anal rays

Sockeye (Red) Salmon

Sockeye (Red) Salmon Mouth is white with a white gum line Almost toothless No spots on tail or back Large, bright gold, glassy eye

Chum (Dog) Salmon

Chum (Dog) Salmon Mouth is white with a white gum line Well developed teeth  No spots on tail or back Calico markings (vertical bars) – faint on bright fish Narrow caudal peduncle White tip on anal fin

Pink (Humpy) Salmon

Pink (Humpy) Salmon Mouth is white with a black gum line. In marine areas, almost no teeth Large oval spots on both lobes of tail Large black spots on back Pointed lower jaw No silver on tail Very small scales

Lake Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon Torpedo-shaped body, turned up tail Resembles a shark Five rows of shell-shaped plates along back notochord instead of backbone Mouth is on underside of body with barbels

Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Scaleless, tough skin 8 barbels Three sharp spines, (1 dorsal, 2 pectoral) Black spots on lower side of body Deeply forked caudal fin

Flathead Catfish

Flathead Catfish Scaleless, tough skin 8 barbels Three sharp spines, (1 dorsal, 2 pectoral) No spots on lower side of body squared caudal fin flattened head lower lip protrudes past upper lip

Yellow Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead Black, Brown or Yellow species Scaleless, tough skin 6 barbels Sharp spines (1 dorsal, 2 pectoral) Caudal fin is slightly notched and squared

Carp

Carp Rough fish Very scaly Barbels Much like a sucker