Bits and Pieces About Kentucky Fish.

[Soupy_1us]

Just some interesting reading about Fish in Kentucky...


Carp (Cyprinus carpio): may be the most important fresh water food fish in the world. Originally native to Asia, carp have been transplanted all over the world; the first time may have been during Roman times. Carp were introduced to North America in 1831, and now these fish are spread throughout most of the U.S.
Spawning occurs in spring, especially after heavy rains. The fish move into flooded areas and deposit eggs on submerged vegetation. Eggs develop quickly and hatch in four or five days. One female may produce more than two million eggs in a single season. Carp can be heard splashing and wallowing in the shallows during the spawn.
Often, the common carp gets blamed for declines of native fish when the real culprit is most often polluted habitat. Able to thrive under conditions that are unfavorable to most other fish, carp can be found in the most degraded of streams, often gathering below sewage outfalls. Carp can live in warm, muddy water and tolerate low levels of dissolved oxygen. At times the fish actually gulp atmospheric air. Carp can survive in brackish water, too. Carp belong to the Cyprinidae or minnow family. The common carp grows rapidly and can weigh as much as 80 pounds. This big minnow can live for 20 years. Carp are omnivorous, eating plants, algae, invertebrates and small fish. While carp have no jaw teeth, they do have bony structures in their throats called pharyngeal teeth. Used for holding and grinding food items, they look similar to human molars.


The Kentucky record for common carp has stood for 26 years. The 54-pound, 14-ounce fish was caught from the South Fork of the Licking River.
Beginning in 1878, the U.S. Fish Commission enthusiastically promoted carp as a great food and sport fish. But as early as 1895, some people thought the introduction may have been a mistake. Carp flesh is bony and must be prepared correctly to be palatable. Carp can be caught on a wide variety of baits such as worms, doughballs, corn or marshmallows. The fish puts up a tremendous fight when hooked. In England, large carp are highly sought after by sport anglers.
Unfortunately, in Kentucky where trophy-sized carp are abundant, carp fishing has never gained much popularity.

Genetic mutants aren’t unusual; “mirror carp” have only a few large scales while carp that lack scales entirely are called “leather carp”.

Carp feed by sucking up bottom deposits.
Kentucky Afield Magazine – March/April 1997

[Soupy_1us]

Text by Dave Dreves
Bighead carp and silver carp are two of the latest invaders of Kentucky waters. Arkansas fish farmers originally imported these carp from Asia in the 1970s to control plankton in ponds. However, these carp escaped captivity during floods and began appearing in major river drainages of the midwest and southern United States in the early 1980s . The fish have adapted extremely well to many of the tributaries, wetlands and slough lakes adjacent to the Mississippi and Ohio rivers in the western part of Kentucky. Bighead carp have migrated as far upstream on the Ohio River as the Markland pool in northern Kentucky and can be found in sections of the Tennessee, lower Cumberland, Kentucky and Green rivers as well as Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Silver carp are less of a big river fish and haven?t made it past Louisville on the Ohio River.
Bighead carp and silver carp are members of the group Hypophthalmichthys, which means ,under eye fish. The eyes of both fish and very low on the side of the head. Bighead carp may exceed 80 pounds while silver carp may top 50 pounds. Bighead carp have a dark gray back, an off-white belly, and numerous irregular black or brownish-orange blotches along the sides. Silver carp, as their name implies, are completely silver. Both fish have a ridge, or ?keel,? along their bellies. This ridge extends from the tail to the first set of lower fins in the bighead carp, and from the tail to the throat of the silver carp.

Silver carp spook easily at the sound of a boat and have the unusual habit of jumping several feet out of the water? sometimes into the boat!
The environmental impacts of these fish are not yet completely understood, but there is serious concern that these carp will harm larval fish and mussel populations by competing directly with them for food. Some larval and juvenile fish species, including most of the species important to sport fisherman, feed on plankton.
Since both of these fish are filter feeders, they are not routinely caught on conventional fishing gear but they are occasionally snagged. Both fish reportedly make good table fare for the person willing to remove the many bones and the undesirable strip of red meat along the sides.
Kentucky Afield Magazine - Spring 2003

[gofish]

yep them asian carp are good eatin but hard ta clean

[Soupy_1us]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p115/Soupy_1us/Kentucky%20Fish/KyFishBlueCats.jpg

This is the one that I'm chasing all the time....But, I'll keep anything big enuff to fry !

Also too: Let me know if you can read this or if it's too big to post....I'm just experimentin'

[gofish]

purty aint they?:icon_biggrin:

[Illinoisgiller]

Gofish's comment about those silvers being good eating prompted me to Google up "asian carp recipies" The top site was titled Bones of contention. Very interesting read. It leads me to believe that there will be developed, in time, a ready market for them. I've developed an opinion that Joe can make most anything taste good.:icon_cool::icon_cool::confused0024: According to this read, carefull preparation can develope these invaders into good table fare.
That would be great news for the fishery. Mike

[Schoe]

Funny thing you are talking about the exotic Asian fish that have become a nuisance in many areas.

Just this morning I was talking to a friend of mine, (John), from Memphis that told me about an experience he witnessed last weekend. He, (my friend) was Bass fishing in a local reservoir near Memphis when he came around a bend and a couple of fellas were bank fishing and one of them had a hold of something very big so he stayed out away from them until they got the fish landed. Being curious he went over to see what it was and it was a large Blue Catfish. My friend had a scale and weighed it for them, 43 Lbs. John, being curious, asked what they caught him on. Their answer, Persimmons, yes Persimmons. It seems they were actually were fishing for the Grass Carp with the fruit and catch a lot of them 50 to 75 lbs and claim they are very good eating.

Who knows, they may be our next up and coming table fare. Schoe

[gofish]

theyve got a real nice white meat on em

[Soupy_1us]

Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) reach a maximum size of
nearly 60 pounds. Channel cats look much like other catfish in
that they have 'skin' instead of scales and whiskers around the
mouth. Channel catfish are often mistake for Blue Catfish. It is
easy to tell them apart by looking at the anal fin. On a Blue Cat
the anal fin has the look of having been cut with scissors,
whereas; on the Channel Cat the fin anal fin is not as straight,
having some curve through out its entire length. Channel
Catfish occur throughout the Mississippi River Valley, and down
to the Mexico border. Channel Catfish are the most commonly
raised aquaculture species in the U.S.
Channel Catfish are very similiar to Blue Catfish but prefer slow
to moderate current instead of the swift current that the Blue
Catfish prefer. They also prefer a sand or rock bottom much
more than a mud bottom.

[Soupy_1us]

The flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris, also called the yellow
cat, opelousas, mud cat and shovelhead cat, are large North
American freshwater catfish. Ranging from the lower Great
Lakes region to northern Mexico, they have been widely
introduced and are an invasive species in some areas.
Their native range includes a broad area west of the
Appalachian Mountains encompassing large rivers of the
Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio basins. The range extends as
far north as North Dakota, as far west as Arizona, and south to
the Gulf of Mexico including northeastern Mexico.
Flathead catfish are most closely related to the Satan genus of
fish. They grow to a lengh of 155 cm (61 in) and may weigh up
to 56 kg (123 lbs). Their maximum recorded lifespan is 20
years. Males are mature from 16 cm and 4 years of age while
females mature from 18 cm and 5 years of age, but may mature
as late as 10 years. The world angling record flathead catfish
was caught May 14, 1998 from Elk City Reservoir, Kansas and
weighed 123 lb 9 oz (56.05 kg).
Inhabiting deep pools, lakes, and large slow-moving rivers,
flathead catfish are popular among anglers; their flesh is widely
regarded as the tastiest of the catfishes. Their size also make
the flatheads effective subjects of public aquaria. Like most
catfish, flatheads are benthic feeders and prefer live prey. They
are voracious carnivores and feed primarily on other fish,
insects, annelid worms and crustaceans.
Sport fishing for flathead catfish using rod and reel can be an
exciting pastime. Anglers target this species in a variety of
waterways including small rivers (barely large enough for a
canoe), large rivers (such as the Missouri and Mississippi
Rivers), and reservoirs. A common element of flathead catfish
location is submerged wood cover such as logs and rootwads
which often collect at bends in rivers. A good flathead spot
usually also includes relatively deep water compared to the
rest of a particular section of river, a moderate amount of
current, and access to plentiful baitfish such as river herring,
shad, carp, drum, panfish, or suckers. Anglers targeting large
flathead catfish usually use stout tackle such as medium-heavy
or heavy action rods from 6–10 feet (1.8–3.0 meters) in length
with large line-capacity reels and line ranging from 20–80
pound (90–360 N, 9–36 kgf) test breaking strength. Generally
large live baits are preferred such as river herring, shad,
sunfish (such as bluegill), suckers, carp, goldfish, drum, and
bullheads ranging from 5–12 inches (12–30 cm) in length.
Sometimes nearly as much time and effort is spent catching
baitfish ahead of time as is spent fishing for flatheads. While
not as numerous as other catfish species, catching a large
flathead catfish (over 20 pounds) usually makes the effort
worthwhile to an avid catfisher. Flathead catfishing often takes
place at night either from a boat or from shore once a catfisher
has identified a likely looking flathead spot.
Spawning occurs in late June and early July, the nests made in
areas with submerged logs and other debris. The males, who
also build the nests, fiercely and tirelessly defend and fan the
clutch. The size of the clutch varies proportionately to the size
of the female; an average of 2,640 eggs per kilogram of fish are
laid.
The fry frequent shallow areas with rocky and sandy
substrates where they feed on insects and worms such as
annelids and polychaetes. Young flatheads are also
cannibalistic, a fact which has largely precluded their presence
in aquaculture.

[Soupy_1us]

Bullheads do not get as large as the other US native catfishes, with averages sizes in the 1 to 2 pound range and world record sizes well under 10 pounds.
All three major bullheads can be confused with other catfishes by novice anglers. Because they have a non-forked tail, many people mistakenly think that small flathead catfish are bullheads. Both have the squared tail, and can have a mottled, brown appearance (in the case of the brown bullhead) but the flathead has a lower lip that protrudes farther than its upper lip and a flat or "shovel" head. They also have very different habits and habitat.
Flatheads generally eat only live things, while bullheads will freely eat dead fish or other small animals. The flathead is more likely to be found at the bottom of dams or in gravel pits, while bullheads are found more often in the most brackish areas. Additionally, flatheads can reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds, while the current world's record for any bullhead is a Black Bullhead, recorded at exactly 8 lb even,[4] while the average adult is perhaps 2 pounds. Brown and yellow bullheads are significantly smaller.

[Soupy_1us]

Other Names
Shellcracker, Georgia Bream, Cherry Gill, Sunny, Sun Perch
Description
Lepomis, the generic name, is Greek and means "scaled gill cover." The species epithet microlophus is Greek for "small nape." The redear is a deep-bodied sunfish with a relatively small mouth. Color ranges from dark olive green above to almost white on the belly. The sides are usually yellow to green. The spinous dorsal fin, which is anterior to the soft dorsal fin, is normally equipped with 10 spines, although 9 or 11 spines are sometimes observed, and it is broadly connected to the soft dorsal fin. The anal fin has three spines. The species' most distinct characteristic is the red edge on the opercle ("ear") flap of the male (orange on the female). The opercle flap is never greatly elongated as it is in species such as the redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) or the longear sunfish (L. megalotis).
Life History
Redear sunfish often utilize snails as a major food item, hence the common name "shellcracker." However, insect larvae and cladocerans may also be found in their diet. The species is usually found near the bottom in warm water with little current and abundant aquatic vegetation. Redears normally reach sexual maturity by the end of their second year. They spawn during the warm months of late spring and early summer, and in deeper water than most other sunfish, congregating in spawning "beds." Nests are saucer-shaped depressions in gravel or silt, and are sometimes so close they almost touch. There are usually one or two peaks of activity during spawning season. Few individuals survive more than six summers.

[Soupy_1us]

purty aint they?:icon_biggrin:


I noticed that in Kentucky they are also called "White Catfish".. I guess it's because some of those fish lack any color at all..

[Soupy_1us]

Bluegill

Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Centrarchidae

Genus: Lepomis

Species: L. macrochirus


Binomial name
Lepomis macrochirus
Rafinesque, 1819
The Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or coppernose. It is a member of the sunfish family (family Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. It is native to a wide area of North America, from Québec to northern Mexico, and has been widely transplanted to stock game fish for anglers. It is commonly fished in Minnesota, but it is the state fish of the U.S. state of Illinois. It is renowned as an excellent tasting fish on par with Walleye.[citation needed]
Of typical sunfish body shape, the bluegill's most notable feature is the blue or black "ear", actually an extension of the gill cover called the opercular flap. Its name, however, comes from the bright blue edging visible on its gill rakers. It can be distinguished from similar species by the (not always pronounced) vertical bars along its flanks. The bluegill grows to a maximum overall length of approximately 40 cm (16 in).

Bluegills from MissouriBluegills are popular game fish, caught with live bait, flies, hot dogs, raw chicken or other lures, chiefly at dawn and dusk. One of the easiest baits to use for them is white bread or a corn kernel. Another efficient bait would be redworms or waxworms on ice jigs. They are noted for seeking out underwater vegetation for cover; their natural diet consists largely of small invertebrates and very small fish. The Bluegill itself is also occasionally used as bait for larger game fish species such as blue catfish and largemouth bass. The bluegill is a schooling fish with schools of 20–30 individuals. These fish spawn in June in nests in the shallows. During this period males assume a very bold coloration, as they are guarding their nests. An interesting piece of their biology is that some males assume the coloration of the female fish so that the nest guarding males won't show aggression towards them. Then these "sneaker" males enter nests and spawn. Because of their size and the method of cooking them, bluegills are often called panfish. Bluegill are also commonly referred to as bream. Bluegills are excellent fish to teach children angling.[[1]] [[2]] They are notorious for their nibbling or pecking style of feeding and commonly steal bait off a fisherman's hook. They hit hard for their size.(making it easy to tell when the angler has one on the line) Adult channel catfish, largemouth bass, and turtles prey upon bluegill.
In some locations where it has been transplanted, it is considered a pest: trade in the species is prohibited in Germany and Japan.
The specific epithet, macrochirus, derives from the Greek µa???? (long) and ?e?? (hand

[Illinoisgiller]

Now you are getting into the best "eaters"lol Mike

[Soupy_1us]

Now you are getting into the best "eaters"lol Mike


Figures.... Now I know I got one "Fan"

[Soupy_1us]

The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus. One of the black basses, it is a popular gamefish sought by anglers throughout the temperate zones of North America, and has been spread by stock to many cool-water rivers and lakes in the United States and Canada. The smallmouth bass is native to the upper and middle Mississippi River basin, the Saint Lawrence River–Great Lakes system, and up into the Hudson Bay basin. Its common names include Smallmouth, Bronzeback, Brown Bass, Brownie, and Bronze Bass.
Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Habitat
3 Angling
3.1 Lures
3.2 Fishing Tackle
4 References
5 Secondary References


[edit] Description
The smallmouth bass is generally green with dark vertical bands rather than a horizontal band along the side. There are 13-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. The upper jaw of smallmouth bass does not extend beyond the back of the eye.

[edit] Habitat
M. dolomieu is found in clearer water than the largemouth, especially streams, rivers, and the rocky areas and stumps and also sandy bottoms of lakes and reservoirs. The smallmouth prefers cooler water temperatures than its cousin the largemouth bass, and may be found in both still and moving water. Because it is relatively intolerant of pollution, the smallmouth bass is a good natural indicator of a healthy environment, though it can better adjust to changes in water condition than most trout species. Carnivorous, its diet comprises crayfish, insects, and smaller fish, the young also feeding on zooplankton.
The female can lay up to 21,000,000 eggs, which are guarded by the male in his nest.

[gofish]

smallmouths bout the most fun pound fer pound lol:icon_biggrin:

[Soupy_1us]

White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis)

Other Names
White Perch, Sac-a-lait
Description
Pomoxis is Greek for "opercle sharp" and refers to the fact that the fish's gill covers have spines. The word annularis is Latin for "having rings" and refers to the dark bands (vertical bars) around the body. The white crappie is deep-bodied and silvery in color, ranging from silvery-white on the belly to a silvery-green or even dark green on the back. There are several vertical bars on the sides. The dorsal fin has a maximum of six spines. Males may develop dark coloration in the throat region during the spring spawning season.
Life History
Like other members of the sunfish family, white crappie are nest builders. They are similar to bluegills in that they tend to nest in relatively large "beds", and they have very high reproductive potential which often leads to overpopulation and stunting in small lakes and impoundments. White crappie nest in the spring, generally when water temperatures reach 65°F to 70°F. However, spawning activity has been observed at temperatures as low as 56°F. Fry hatch in three to five days, but remain attached to nest substrate by an adhesive substance from the egg for a few more days. Just before leaving the nest, fry free themselves by vigorous swimming actions. Once free, they begin feeding on microscopic animals. Although fry do not appear to school, fingerlings do. Schools with large numbers of individuals are often found in the middle of lakes. Typically, white crappie grow three to five inches in length the first year, and reach seven to eight inches during the second year. Maturity is usually reached in two to three years. Adults feed on small fish and insects.
Distribution
The native range of white crappie included the area west of the Appalachian Mountains north to southern Ontario and south to the Gulf of Mexico. The range extended west to Minnesota and South Dakota in the north, and to northeastern Mexico in the south. Today the range extends east to the Atlantic coast, and west to include California and portions of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and North Dakota. White crappie are native to the eastern two-thirds of Texas.
Other
. The crappie group is the third most preferred group overall, ranking behind only "bass" and "catfish." Crappie are sought after by both bank and boat anglers. Typically, minnows are the preferred bait, often producing monumental results when an aggregation is located, usually around submerged trees, boat docks, or other submerged structures.

[Soupy_1us]

Other Names
White Perch, Calico Bass
Description
Pomoxis is Greek for "opercle sharp", and refers to the fact that the fish's gill covers have spines. The species epithet nigromaculatus is Latin and means "black spotted." The black crappie is easily confused with the white crappie. However, it is deeper bodied than the white crappie, and silvery-green in color. There are no distinct vertical bars, rather there are irregular black blotches. The dorsal fin has seven or eight spines. Males do not develop specialized breeding coloration during spawning season.
Life History
Like other members of the sunfish family, black crappie are nest builders. They nest in the spring, generally when water temperatures reach 60°F. The biology of black crappie is very similar to that of white crappie. Growth in terms of weight is very similar between the two species. White crappie tend to have higher growth rates in terms of length, but black crappie are more robust in body construction. Black crappie adults feed on fewer fish, and more insects and crustaceans, than do white crappie.
Distribution
The native range of the species was very similar to that of the white crappie, except that it extended slightly further north into Canada and east to the coastal plain south of Virginia. Currently, populations of black crappie can be found in each of the 48 contiguous United States. In
Other
Black crappie over 3.5 pounds and almost 4.5 pounds have been captured in public waters and private waters, respectively

[Soupy_1us]

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)

Other Names
Goggle-eye, Rock Bass, Branch Perch
Description
The green sunfish, like warmouth, has a large mouth and a heavy, black bass body shape. The body is dark green, almost blue, dorsally, fading to lighter green on the sides, and yellow to white ventrally. Faint vertical bars are apparent on the sides. Some scales have turquoise spots. Lepomis, the generic name, is Greek and means "scaled gill cover." The species epithet cyanellus is also Greek and means "blue.
Life History
The green sunfish is a very versatile species, able to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, and tends to do very well when competition with other sunfish is minimal. Its ability to tolerate environmental extremes makes it ideal for survival in prairie streams where conditions are not stable, and it is often the first sunfish species to repopulate depleted areas. Green sunfish nest in shallow water colonies where nests are often closely packed. Gravel or rocky bottom sites are usually preferred for nest building. Spawning occurs in late spring, when water temperatures rise above 70°F, and may continue throughout the summer. Hybridization with other sunfish species is very common. Males aggressively defend their nests for 6-7 days after eggs are deposited, at which time fry are usually free-swimming. Because of their enormous reproductive potential, green sunfish often overpopulate small lakes and ponds. Adults feed on insects and small fish.
Distribution
Originally the distribution of green sunfish appears to have been limited to the central plains west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Rocky Mountains, including northeastern Mexico. However, due to introductions the species has become nearly ubiquitous in the United States with the exception of Florida and parts of the northwest.
Other
Due to their propensity to overpopulate and so become stunted, green sunfish rarely reach a desirable size for angling. In private ponds, specimens over 2 pounds have been recorded.

[Soupy_1us]

Other Names
Cherry Bream
Description
Lepomis, the generic name, is Greek and means "scaled gill cover." The species epithet megalotis is Greek and means "great ear." The name is derived from the fact that longear sunfish have an elongated opercle flap. This flap, always trimmed in white in adults, is unique and makes field identification relatively easy if hybridization has not occurred. Longear sunfish are quite colorful. Males are often bright orange or scarlet, and the head and fins usually have turquoise markings. Dorsal and anal fins, and their associated spines, are similar to those of redear sunfish.
Life History
Longear sunfish are primarily found in small streams and creeks. Like other sunfish they are often associated with vegetation, avoiding strong currents by inhabiting pools, inlets, and waters off the main stream channel. Spawning occurs throughout late spring and early summer. Males scoop nests out of gravel bars. Females are enticed to lay their eggs on a particular nest by a male who swims out to meet her, swimming around her rapidly and displaying his brilliant spawning colors. After the eggs have been laid, males chase the females away and guard the nest vigorously despite their small size, chasing away all intruders. Males may continue to guard the nest for a week or more after hatching, until larvae have dispersed. Insects and even small fish become part of the diet as fish approach adulthood. Longear sunfish rarely exceed six inches in length.
Distribution
Longear sunfish are restricted to freshwater areas west of the Appalachian Mountains. Scattered populations occur as far north and west as southern Quebec and Minnesota, and as far south and west as north central Mexico and New Mexico. The species is found throughout Texas except for the headwaters of the Canadian and Brazos rivers.
Other
Because of its small size, the species' importance to anglers derives in three ways. Since they are relatively easy to capture with simple, natural baits such as earthworms, longears are an important species for young anglers with little experience. Like most sunfish, they provide more than enough fight for their small size. Longears may feed on the surface, providing the fly fishermen with a challenge, and finally, they are often a prized bait fish for trotliners.

[Soupy_1us]

Redeye, Goggle-eye, Red-eyed Bream, Stump Knocker, Mudgapper, Mo-mouth, Morgan, Molly, Rock Bass, Open Mouth, Weed Bass, Wood Bass, Strawberry "perch", Mud Bass, Warmouth Bass
Description
The warmouth is somewhat larger than either rock bass or green sunfish (with which it is often confused) but very similar otherwise in that it is large-mouthed and heavy-bodied. Adult warmouth are dark, with mottled brown coloration. Their belly is generally golden, and males have a bright orange spot at the base of the dorsal fin. Three to five reddish-brown streaks radiate from the eyes, and the gill flaps are often red. Warmouth have three spines in the anal fin, 10 spines in the dorsal fin, and small teeth are present on the tongue. These fish range in size from 4 to10 inches (10.2 to 25 cm), but can grow to more than 12 inches (31 cm), and weigh up to 2.25 pounds (1 kg).
Life History
Young warmouth feed on zooplankton and small insects. Adults feed on insects, mollusks, and small fish. Their predators include larger fish, water snakes, turtles, and herons. Warmouth reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10cm), and spawn in the spring, when water temperatures reach 71° F (21.5° C), and continuing through the summer. Males construct a disc-shaped nest by fanning their tails and removing silt and debris over nesting site. Nests are made in 1.5 to 4 feet (0.45 to 1.23 m) of water near a stump, clump of vegetation or other large, submerged object. Females produce 4,000 to 63,000 eggs during spawning season. After an incubation period of three days, the young hatch. The fry leave the nest five to six days after hatching and grow to 1 to 2 inches (25.4 to 50.8 mm) by the fall. Their life span is not known.
Warmouth are quite secretive. They seek cover in rocky banks, stumps or weeds, or near other large objects, where they can hide and wait for food. They are sight feeders. When in breeding condition, the males' eyes turn red. After the female lays her eggs, the male fertilizes the eggs and aggressively defends the nest, eggs and fry from any intruder-including other females. Warmouth hybridize (crossbreed) with bluegill and green sunfish. They can survive in polluted, low oxygenated waters where other sunfish cannot. Warmouth are often confused with rock bass. The difference between the two is in the anal fin: warmouth have three spines on the anal fin ray and rock bass have six spines.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, swamps, and quiet areas of streams with muddy bottoms and vegetation are preferred habitat for the warmouth.
Distribution
Warmouth are found in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins, from western Pennsylvania to Minnesota, south to the Gulf of Mexico; and the Atlantic and Gulf drainages from the Rappahannock River in Virginia to the Rio Grande in Texas and New Mexico.
Other
Warmouth are members of the sunfish family, which includes the largemouth bass. They are also known by more colorful local names such as redeye, goggle-eye, red-eyed bream, stump knocker, mudgapper, mo-mouth, morgan, molly, rock bass, open mouth, weed bass, wood bass, strawberry "perch" and mud bass. Because warmouth hit hard and are easily caught, they are popular with some anglers. They are good to eat when caught in clean water, but because they are bottom-feeders like catfish, the flesh can have a strong flavor.

[Soupy_1us]

Other Names
Striper, Rockfish, Lineside
Description
The striped bass is the largest member of the sea bass family, often called "temperate" or "true" bass to distinguish it from species such as largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass which are actually members of the sunfish family Centrarchidae. Although Morone is of unknown derivation, saxatilis is Latin meaning "dwelling among rocks." As with other true basses, the dorsal fin is clearly separated into spiny and soft-rayed portions. Striped bass are silvery, shading to olive-green on the back and white on the belly, with seven or eight uninterrupted horizontal stripes on each side of the body. Younger fish may resemble white bass (Morone chrysops). However, striped bass have two distinct tooth patches on the back of the tongue, whereas white bass have one tooth patch. Striped bass have two sharp points on each gill cover, and white bass have one. Additionally, the second spine on the anal fin is about half the length of the third spine in striped bass, and about two-thirds the length of the third spine in white bass.
Life History
The striped bass can live in both freshwater and saltwater environments. In coastal populations, individuals may ascend streams and travel as much as 100 miles inland to spawn. There are land-locked populations that complete their entire life cycle in freshwater. These generally ascend tributaries of the lakes or reservoirs where they spend their lives. Spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures approach 60°F. Typically, one female is accompanied by several males during the spawning act. Running water is necessary to keep eggs in motion until hatching. In general, at least 50 miles of stream is required for successful hatches. Stripers may reach a size of 10 to 12 inches during the first year. Males are generally mature in two years, and females in three to four. Adults are primarily piscivorous, feeding predominantly on members of the herring family such as gizzard shad and threadfin shad. Alewife and glut herring are often found in their stomachs in the northern states.
Habitat
The striped bass is anadromous, native to a variety of habitats including shores, bays, and estuaries.
Distribution
The striped bass is a coastal species that moves far upstream during spawning migrations in coastal rivers. The native range is along the Atlantic coast east of the Appalachian Mountains from New Brunswick south to Florida and west into Louisiana. The species has been introduced at scattered locations throughout the central US. There have also been introductions as far west as the Colorado River in Arizona, and at various sites in California. Although not native to Texas, the species has been stocked in a number of reservoirs. Because stream flow is required for a successful hatch, most reservoir populations are not self-sustaining and must be maintained through stocking. One notable exception is Lake Texoma along the Red River in northeastern Texas.
Other
Striped bass are the fourth most preferred species among licensed Texas anglers. It is estimated that the economic impact of striper fishing in the Lake Texoma area alone totals well in excess of $20 million. Stripers are often captured using artificial lures that imitate small fish, such as silver spoons. Deep running lures can also be effective, as may live bait, or cut bait. In Texas, stripers in excess of 50 pounds have been landed. Although specimens exceeding 100 pounds have been caught in saltwater, to date a 67.5-pounder was the largest individual reported from inland waters.

[Schoe]

Soupy, I didn't know you had it in you buddy, but thanks for the info on the Striper's and the others. As of yet I have never caught an inland Striper or Rockfish if you will, but caught a few out in Chesapeake Bay a few years back and they are something on a line. Schoe

[Soupy_1us]

Yep... Stripers.... gettin' 'bout as bad as the Asian Carp up here......(down here) .. seems like that's what all the (river) bass fishermen are going for now-a-days.......Bait fish to me !

[gofish]

thems my favorite fish ta catch schoe....if at all possible ya need ta tangle with a few......hit a jig like a frieght train an jus keep goin lol..:icon_biggrin:

[Soupy_1us]

Drum Fish, Gaspergou, Gou, Sheepshead
Description
Aplodinotus is Greek for "single back", and grunniens is Latin for "grunting", referring to the fact that the species may be observed (or felt) making "grunting" sounds. Except for color, freshwater drum resembles its marine relative the red drum. The fish is deep-bodied and equipped with a long dorsal fin divided into two sections. The dorsal fin usually has 10 spines and 29-32 rays. Freshwater drum are silvery in color and lack the distinctive tail fin spot of red drum.
Life History
Freshwater drum may spawn in April or May. Spawning seems to occur in open water. The eggs float until they hatch. Freshwater drum appear to be basically benthic, spending most of their time at or near the bottom. They feed primarily on fish, crayfish, and immature insects, often by rooting around in the substrate or moving rocks to dislodge their prey. The presence of heavy throat-teeth also allows them to consume mollusks to a certain extent. In Lake Erie, they have been found feeding on zebra mussels (although not nearly enough to control the zebra mussel population).
Distribution
Freshwater drum occurs in a variety of habitats, and is one of the most wide ranging fish latitudinally in North America. Populations can be found from Hudson Bay in the north to Guatemala in the south. East to west, the species ranges from the western slopes of the Appalachians to the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Although freshwater drum is considered a rough fish by many anglers, it is prized as a food fish in some areas. Drum are also sought after as bait for other species.

[Soupy_1us]

Spoonbill, Spoonbill Cat, Shovelnose Cat

Description
Paddlefish grow up to 87 inches (221 cm) long - that's over 7 feet long! They can weigh as much as 200 pounds, but most are usually between 10-15 pounds. Paddlefish have a gray, shark-like body with a deeply forked tail, and a long, flat blade-like snout (looks like a kitchen spatula) almost one third of its body's entire length. It opens its huge mouth when feeding. Paddlefish resemble sharks not only by shape, but by their skeletons as well. Both paddlefish and sharks have skeletons made of cartilage, not bone. Paddlefish have no scales. Their gill cover is long and comes to a point, and they have tiny eyes.
Life History
Paddlefish have no teeth and eat by swimming through the water with its mouth held wide open, scooping up tiny plants and animals in the water called plankton. They filter out the food with their gill rakers. The underside of the paddlefish's "paddle" is covered with taste buds (like the ones on your tongue) and probably helps it to find places where plankton is the most abundant.
Male paddlefish are old enough to spawn when they are four to nine years. Females spawn when they are 6-12 years old. Spawning season is from March through June, when spring rains raise the water levels of rivers and water temperatures reach 50-60 degrees. Males and females gather in schools and release their eggs over gravel or sandbars. This is called "broadcast spawning." By the end of their first year, baby paddlefish grow about 10 to 12 inches. They can live up to 30 years.
Paddlefish are sometimes called a spoonbill, spoonbill cat, or shovelnose cat because some have mistaken the paddlefish as a member of the Catfish family. Paddlefish were first seen by Europeans in the 16th century, when Hernando De Soto explored the Mississippi River.
Habitat
Paddlefish like to live in slow moving water of large rivers or reservoirs, usually in water deeper than four feet (130cm).
Distribution
The native range of paddlefish includes the Mississippi River basin from New York to Montana and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Other
Paddlefish are the oldest surviving animal species in North America. Fossil records indicate that it is older than dinosaurs (300 million years). Females may spawn only once every 4 to 7 years. The paddlefish has only one other relative in the world, another paddlefish that lives in China. Polyodon is Greek for "many teeth" and refers to the paddlefish's gill rakers, even though they have no teeth at all. The word spathula is Latin for "spatula" or "blade."
The State of Texas has protected the paddlefish since 1977. It is considered a threatened species. It is unlawful to catch, kill or harm paddlefish in Texas.
Paddlefish face a number of problems in Texas. They need large amounts of flowing water in order to reproduce. The construction of dams and reservoirs along Texas rivers decreases water flow and interrupts spawning.
The eggs of paddlefish can be used to make palatable caviar. When caviar becomes difficult, and expensive, to get from Russia paddlefish are often taken illegally (or poached) for their dark, edible eggs.
Paddlefish seldom bite a baited hook, but on occasion are "snagged" accidentally by anglers using treble hooks. Most often paddlefish are caught by using illegal nets, such as gill nets.

[Soupy_1us]

Ictiobus and bubalus are both Greek words meaning "bull fish" and "buffalo", respectively. The back and sides are light brown or otherwise dark with a coppery or greenish tent. The belly is pale yellow to white. Smallmouth buffalo scales are large, and the species sometimes be confused with common carp by the novice. However, buffalo lack the barbels of carp. Smallmouth buffalo, as opposed to bigmouth buffalo, have a distinctive sucker-type mouth, oriented downward.
Life History
Although the life history of smallmouth buffalo is not well understood, spawning seems to occur in the spring when water temperatures reach 60-65°F. Eggs are broadcast over weeds and mud bottom, hatching in one to two weeks. This species is primarily bottom feeding which is why insect larvae, algae, detritus, and sand often make up significant portions of the fishes' gut contents.
Distribution
The native range of the smallmouth buffalo includes larger tributaries of the Mississippi River from Montana east to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The species is also found in Gulf slope drainages from Alabama to the Rio Grande River drainage.
Although some anglers consider smallmouth buffalo to be a rough fish, in many areas the species is highly prized. Specimens in excess of 82 pounds have been landed by rod and reel anglers, whereas the trotline record is 97 pounds in Texas. Buffalo will sometimes take doughballs made with cottonseed meal, and when hooked provide exceptional sport. Many people may be unaware that smallmouth buffalo is quite a food fish. It is the number one species sold by commercial freshwater fishermen.

[Soupy_1us]

Gars are easily distinguished from other freshwater species by their long, slender, cylindrical bodies, their long snouts, and the fact that they are equipped with diamond-shaped interlocking (ganoid) scales. Additionally, the dorsal and anal fins are placed well back on the body, and nearly opposite each other. The tail fin is rounded. Alligator gar may be distinguished from other gars by the presence of two rows of large teeth on either side of the upper jaw in large young and adults. Coloration is generally brown or olive above, and lighter underneath. The species name spatula is Latin for "spoon", referring to the creature's broad snout.
Life History
Little is known about the biology of this huge fish. Alligator gar are usually found in slow sluggish waters, although running water seems to be necessary for spawning. They appear to spawn in the spring beginning sometime in May. Eggs are deposited in shallow water. Young fish may consume insects. Adults feed primarily on fish, but will also take waterfowl. This species is able to tolerate greater salinities that other gar species and feeds heavily on marine catfish when they are available.
Distribution
Alligator gar are present in the Gulf of Mexico coastal plain from the Econfina River in west Florida west and south to Veracruz, Mexico. The species range extends north in the Mississippi River basin to the lower reaches of the Missouri and Ohio rivers. An isolated population also occurs in Nicaragua.
Other
Gar have traditionally been considered rough fish by the majority of anglers. However, for a relatively few mavericks gar fishing may be quite an exciting and enjoyable sport. In Texas, alligator gar up to 279 pounds have been captured by rod and reel anglers, and over 300 pounds by trotliners. In the Southeastern part of the state, gar are commonly accepted as a fine food fish. Alligator gar are often taken by by bowfishers or by anglers using nylon threads, rather than hooks, to entangle the fish's many sharp teeth.

[Soupy_1us]

Needlenose Gar, Billfish, Billy Gar
Description
Lepisosteus is Greek, meaning "bony scale", and osseus is Latin, meaning "of bone." Longnose gar are distinguished from other gar species found in Texas by the long snout whose length is at least 10 times the minimum width.
Life History
Spawning activity occurs as early as April, in shallow riffle areas. Females, typically the larger sex, may be accompanied by one or many males. Although nests are not prepared, gravel is swept somewhat by the spawning action itself. Each female may deposit a portion of her eggs at several different locations. The adhesive eggs are mixed in the gravel, hatching in six to eight days. Yolk-sac fry have an adhesive disc on their snouts by which they attach themselves to submerged objects until the yolk sac is absorbed. Fry feed primarily on insect larvae and small crustaceans such as water fleas. Fish appear in the diet very early.
Habitat
Longnose gar are typically associated with backwaters, low inflow pools and moderately clear streams. They often do very well in man-made impoundments.
Distribution
Longnose gar range widely throughout the eastern US and north into southern Quebec. The species is especially common in the Mississippi River drainage and in the Carolinas. It may be found as far south and west as the Rio Grande drainage in Mexico, Texas and New Mexico.
Other
Longnose gar may be captured by entangling the teeth in nylon threads, or by bowfishing. In Texas, specimens in excess of 80 pounds have been landed using a bow and arrow.

[Soupy_1us]

Other Names
Billy Gar, Short-billed Gar, Stub-nose Gar
Description
Lepisosteus is Greek, meaning "bony scale", and platostomus is also Greek, meaning "broad mouth." Shortnose gar may be distinguished from other species in that they lack the double row of teeth in the upper jaw of the alligator gar, the long snout of the longnose gar, and the spots of the spotted gar.
Life History
Shortnose gar spawning activity may occur from May into July. Females are often accompanied by more than one male. Yellow eggs are scattered in vegetation and other submerged structures, usually hatching within eight days of spawning. The fry remain in the yolk-sac phase for another week, at which time they begin to feed on insect larvae and small crustaceans. At little over an inch in length, fish appear in the diet. Sexual maturity is usually achieved when fish reach about 15 inches in length. Shortnose gar are more tolerant of high turbidity than other gar species.
Habitat
They inhabit large rivers and their backwaters, as well as oxbow lakes and large pools.
Distribution
Shortnose gar are present in the Mississippi River drainage from the Gulf Coast as far north as Montana in the west, and the Ohio River in the east.
As with alligator gar, shortnose gar may be captured by entangling the teeth in nylon threads or by bowfishing. Shortnose gar up to five pounds have been brought in by anglers.

[Soupy_1us]

Gar have a specialized swim bladder which allows them to gulp air and live in the poorly oxygenated back waters of Texas' streams, swamps and lakes. Lepisosteus is Greek and means "bony scale", referring to the large ganoid scales. Oculatus means "provided with eyes" in Latin and refers to the dark spots on head, body, and fins. The common name, gar, is rooted in the Anglo-Saxon language and means "spear." The roe (or egg mass) is highly toxic to humans, animals, and birds.
Habitat
Spotted gar prefer clear, quiet, vegetated waters of streams, swamps and lakes. They sometimes enter brackish waters along the Gulf Coast.
Distribution
Spotted gar are very widespread, and can be found from central Texas east into western Florida. Their territory extends north through the Mississippi River drainage into Illinois, the lower Ohio River, and the Lake Erie drainage.

They are primitive fish and date back to the Cretaceous period, some 65 to 100 million years ago. The ancestors of spotted gar swam with the dinosaurs! A large gar can eat a lot of fish, including catfish, causing them to compete with some anglers. Because of the competition and because many people think gar are difficult to clean, gar are sometimes called a "trash" fish. This term may not be warranted when you consider that spotted gar, like all native species, have an important role to play in their ecosystem.

[Soupy_1us]

This should help any and everybody that has a question about fish in Kentucky....

http://campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/howard.whiteman/field/fish/fishgallery/fishgallery.htm

[4rum]

Imagine tryin' to run this river without a flak jacket an' helmet ! ! ! :confused0068:
http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=silver+carp+jumping&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

[Soupy_1us]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p115/Soupy_1us/Stories%20and%20Tales/IMG_24181.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p115/Soupy_1us/Stories%20and%20Tales/IMG_24161.jpg

Got 'em here on the Ohio River too rum...Not as bad 'til they chased the ole lady back to the back of the boat with me...

[gofish]

had some real big uns jumpin roun the boat today ourselves soupy lol.make a daggone mess of yer boat bleedin an a floppin