Fish Identification: Catfish (Brown bullhead)
Catfish are part of a much larger group (order) of fish. There are many varieties of them throughout the world, but the one that is most commonly found in Southern Ontario is the Brown Bullhead. Their bodies are a brownish yellow colour. The top of a catfish is usually a dark brown and then it lightens to a yellow colour on the side of their body which leads to their white belly. These guys get their name from the barbells that poke out by their mouths making them look as if they have whiskers. They can range in size from just a few inches, if they are young, up to 20-35cm when fully grown. Once it is more mature it can weigh in at anywhere from 1 to 2 pounds.
Fish Identification – Perch (pan fish)
Perch can also go by the name Yellow Perch, and for good reason. They have a dark back, almost black, and their sides are a yellowish greenish colour. Along their body they also have vertical black bands. They are related to walleyes yet they are a quite different fish.
Fish Identification – Northern Pike
Pike are a long slender fish. They usually have a greenish body, but this can change from a light green to a darker green based on their environment and their food source
Fish Identification – Walleye (aka Pickerel)
A walleye is quite a unique fish. It can easily be distinguished amongst all the other fish species that I will discuss in my articles. The walleye is an olive goldish colour but, its colour can become darker or more pale depending on its environment and what it eats.
Fish Identification: Rock Bass (pan fish)
Rock Bass are close cousins to largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Like their cousins they are also a brownish green color but they have rows of dark coloured spots.
Fish Identification: Smallmouth Bass
A smallmouth bass is a close cousin of the largemouth bass. However, unlike the largemouth bass, smallmouth bass are usually a little more brownish greenish in color and they have vertical bands along their sides not a large long black band like the largemouth bass.
Fish Identification: Largemouth Bass
A largemouth bass will be a green colour with a horizontal black band stretching though the middle of its body. Depending on what they eat, how deep they live, the colour of the water, and the structure around them, their colour and range from a pale light green to a deep forest green
