Download Minnesota Fish

Minnesota Fish
Fast Facts:
• 54 Native species of fish in Minnesota
Lakes
• 100 more species not native or living in
streams
Fish Class Review
• Agnatha – Jawless Fish
– MN Representative: Native Lamprey
• Chondricthyes – Cartilage Skeleton
– No MN Representative
• Osteichthyes – Boney Skeleton
– Everything else
Native Lamprey vs. Sea Lamprey
Dorsal Fin Difference
Walleye – Stizostedion vitreum
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Largest member of the Perch family
Spawn when water temp reaches 45-50oF
Feeds well when water temp is 55-70oF
Prefers waters that are clean, cool, and relatively deep.
Must contain plenty of forage fish and a good supply of
rubble and rock.
Sauger – Stizostedion canadense
• Smaller cousin to walleye; Found near Canadian
Border
• State record 6lbs 3oz.
Yellow Perch –
Perca flavescences
• Prefer cool, clean lakes that have sand and
gravel bottoms
• Average size take fishing = ¾ lbs.
Perch Family Comparison
Walleye
Sauger
Yellow Perch
Not heavily scaled on
operculum
Heavily scaled
operculum
Spines on the
operculum
No dark spots on
dorsal fin
Spots on anterior
dorsal fin
Dorsal fin very spiny
Large, glossy eye
Dark blotchy look to
the body
Pinkish belly
Dark green vertical
bands on a light greenyellow background
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
Muskie – Esox masquinongy
• State record: 54 lbs.
• Spawns when water temp reaches 50-60oF in
shallow areas of rivers or streams
• Feeds best at 60-80oF on fish, crayfish, large
insects, shore birds, ducks and muskrats
Pike Family Comparison
Northern Pike
Muskellunge
White spots on a dark
background
Dark spots on light
background
Five or fewer pores on
underside of jaw
Six or more pores on
each side of under jaw
Operculum not scaled
on the bottom portion
Head entirely scaled
Rounded caudal fin
Pointed caudal fin
Largest member of
family
Pike Family Comparison
Northern Pike
Muskellunge
Eggs + Milt
Tiger Muskie
Dark markings on a light
background (as on a Muskie)
Rounded caudal fin (as on
Northern)
Crappie
A species of pan fish due to their shape. Spawn
early in summer in deeper waters. Males guard
the nest in waters above 58oF.
• 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.
Crappie Family Comparison
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Dark body with silver
lower portion on sides
Silvery color with dark
spots
7-8 spines on the dorsal
fin
5-6 spines on the dorsal
fin
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 60-70oF
• Feeds at the same water temp (bait fish, insects/larvae, crayfish).
Largemouth Bass –
Micopterus salmoides
• State Record = 8lbs. 13oz.
• Likes shallow warm waters that are sandy/muddy. Likes
sparse vegetation.
• Spawns when temps are about 62oF
• Feeds when temps are between 65-73oF (crayfish, small
bait fish, worms, frogs and insects).
Bass Family Comparison
Smallmouth Bass
Brownish or bronze with
vertical olive colored bars
Closed mouth reaches to
front of eye
Largemouth Bass
No vertical bars
Closed mouth extends to
back of eye
Brook Trout – Salvelinus fontinalis
• State record = 6lbs. 5oz.
• Found in clear, cold streams and rivers that have
a max temp around 66oF. (Indicator species)
Lake Trout –
Salvelinus namaycush
• State record = 43lbs. 8oz.
• Likes deep, cold lakes (100 ft. or more)
• Eats many different bait fish but prefer Ciscoes.
Brown Trout – Salmo trutta
• State record 16lbs. 12oz.
• Spawns in the fall when temps are near 57oF
• Feeds on insects, mollusks and other fish.
Trout Family Comparison
Brook Trout
Lake Trout
Red spots with
blue halos
Dark background
with white spots
Yellow/Brown/Silver
with dark spots
Lower fins have
white leading edge
with black and
orange
Deeply forked tail
Lower fins have
white or pale yellow
look
White leading
edge of lower fins
Brown Trout
SAH-WEET FISH ADAPTATIONS!
1.Lungfish
2.Archer Fish
3.Hagfish