Minnesota Fish Identification Shawn P Linder Perham High

Minnesota Fish Identification Shawn P. Linder Perham High School 3/24/02

Problem Statement • What are the various identifying features of Minnesota Game Fish?

Learning Objectives • List and describe the Five shapes of fish we look at to help us Identify them. • Identify the features that help identify a particular fish. • Positively identify the Minnesota game fish important for the economy of the state.

K. Q. #1: What are the various shapes that classify MN game fish? • • • Rover Predators Lie-in-wait Predators Bottom Rovers Deep bodied Eel Like

Rover Predators • Streamlined shape, pointed head, narrow caudal peduncle. Always on the move. E. g. Trout, Walleye

Lie-in-wait Predators • Explosive ambush predators. Body streamlined and elongate, torpedo like. Large caudal fin. Dorsal and anal fins far back. E. g. Northern, Musky

Bottom Rovers • Rover type body with a flattened head, humped back, enlarged pectoral fins. E. g. , Catfish and Sturgeons.

Deep Bodied • Laterally flattened with a body depth at least 1/3 that of the length. Long dorsal and anal fin, pectoral fins high on the body with pelvic fins immediately below. Small mouth, large eyes, and short snout. Highly maneuverable, spines common. E. g. , sunfish

Eel-like fish • Elongate bodies, blunt or wedge-shaped heads. Tapered, rounded tails.

K. Q. #2: What are various fish within these fish shapes?

Rover Predators

Rainbow Trout

Lake Trout

Brook Trout

Brown Trout

Tulibee (White Fish)

Walleye

Sauger

Yellow Perch

Rainbow Smelt

Lie-in-Wait Predators

Northern Pike

Muskellunge (Musky)

Long-Nose Gar

Bottom Rovers

German Carp

White Sucker

Lake Sturgeon

Channel Catfish

Black Bullhead

Deep Bodied

Blue Gill

Pumpkin Seed

Rock Bass

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Black Crappie

White Crappie

Eel-Like Fish

American Eel

Sea Lamprey

Bowfin (Dog Fish)

Burbot (Eel Pout)

Quiz