Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) a.k.a. Smallmouth; Smallie; bronzeback; brown bass; redeye; mountain trout

Identification: Bronze to dark olive dorsally; pale yellow to white ventrally; black mottling on back with vertical bars on side. Can reach a length of 69cm. Young can be identified by their tri-colored tail (yellow, black, white). Distribution: Occurs throughout most of Iowa. Absent from SW 1/3 of the state, and most abundant NE portion of the state. Fishbase Pictures Iowa DNR

Distinguishing from Similar Species: Smallmouth bass – mouth doesn’t extend past eye; tooth patch on tongue; no mid-lateral stripe; has vertical bars on side; YOY have tri-colored tail. Largemouth bass – mouth extends well past the eye; no tooth patch on tongue; broad black mid-lateral stripe; no vertical bars on side; found state- wide. Spotted Bass – mouth doesn’t extend past eye; has tooth patch on tongue; black mid-lateral stripe; no vertical bars on side; YOY have tri-colored tail; in IA it is only found in Lake Macbride. Fishbase Pictures Google Images Fishbase Pictures

Habitat: Clear to slightly turbid streams and rivers, over gravel or boulder laden substrate; shallow rocky areas of lakes and reservoirs (reefs, windblown points, etc.). Diet: Young of year (YOY) start on microcrustaceans, as growth proceeds diet mainly consists of aquatic insects, and finally graduates to macroinvertabrates and fishes. Insectivorous as larvae, and mainly piscivorous as adults. Greg Gelwicks Google Images Fishbase Pictures

Reproduction: Spawning occurs at temperatures between 16-21°C in waters ranging in depth from 1-6m depending upon clarity. Male fans a bed for female to lay eggs. Female may lay eggs in several different nests; number of eggs varies between 2,000-10,000. Male stays on bed to guard eggs and young. Conservation Status: Common in IA. Gamefish status. Length and bag limits exist in IA to conserve sport fishery.

Economic/Recreational Value: Important gamefish, and provides an additional sport fishery in IA. Ecological Importance: Important predator; quite often the top carnivore in many of Iowa’s small interior streams. Google Images

References Becker, G.C Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press. Madison, Wisconsin. p Fishbase, A Global Information System on Fishes. Available at Nov Gilbert, C.R. and J.D. Williams National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes, Revised Ed., North America. Knopf, New York. p Google Images. Available at Oct Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Des Moines, Iowa. P Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa DNR Fish and Fishing. available at Oct McClane, A.J McClane’s Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of North America. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, New York. P Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Petersen Field Guides, Freshwater Fishes. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

Blackie Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Pomoxis nigromaculatus Family: Centrarchidae Family: Centrarchidae Natural History of Fishes Natural History of Fishes

Black Crappie  Identification: Extremely compressed body, sharp dip over nose, 7-8 dorsal spines, large mouth extending under eye, gray- green on dorsal, silver sides with black mottling, 8-12 inches in length

Black Crappie  Range: east to mid-west United States, with exception of the NE and southern Florida  Distribution: spread through the entire state of Iowa

Black Crappie  Diet: small fish, aquatic insects and their larvae  Habitat: lakes, ponds, backwaters; living among aquatic vegetation in clear waters.

Black Crappie  Reproduction: spawn May-June; male constructs nest by fanning out sand in medium depth areas with lots of vegetation; female lays 5,000 to 30,000 eggs.  Economic importance: huge game fish, good to eat.  Not considered threatened or endangered

Black Crappie

References Iowa Department of Natural Resources card.html Ohio Department of Natural Resources Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr pp Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) By Curt Kemmerer

Identification  Deep, laterally compressed body; “hump-backed”  Sharp dip over eye  Dark vertical bands or mottling over silver body  Six dorsal spines, beginning at midpoint of body  Average inches, seldom exceed two pounds

Similar Species White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)

Distribution  Very common, native species  Found statewide in lakes and larger rivers

Habitat Diet Habitat Diet  Found in creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes  Found around submerged objects  May be found at varying depths up to 15 feet  Zooplankton (1 st year)  Insects  Small fish  Crustaceans fishid/wcrappie.htm

Reproduction  Reaches maturity at two to three years  Spawning occurs in Spring (April-June) at approximately 56 0 F water temp.  Male builds nest in substrate of shallow water  Female lays up to 20,000 eggs in nest  Male guards eggs; hatch in three to seven days  Species average life-span of seven to eight years

Conservation Status Abundant in Iowa Abundant in Iowa No current threats to existence No current threats to existence Economic/Recreational Importance Very popular sport fish Very popular sport fish Popular food fish (very tasty!!) Popular food fish (very tasty!!) Ecological Importance Preys upon small fish and invertebrates Preys upon small fish and invertebrates Prey to larger fish Prey to larger fish Can tolerate turbid waters; not an important indicator or “key” ecological species Can tolerate turbid waters; not an important indicator or “key” ecological species

References  Iowa Department of Natural Resources. IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. Available at  White Crappie Fish Identification. Available at  Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Life History Notes: White Crappie. Available at es-fishid/wcrappie.htm.

Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) by: Kristin Burdorf

Ambloplites rupestris  Characteristics Olive colored with brassy reflections and dark molting along the sides Olive colored with brassy reflections and dark molting along the sides It has a whitish belly and breast It has a whitish belly and breast There are 6 spines in the anal fin and 12 in the dorsal There are 6 spines in the anal fin and 12 in the dorsal Seldom exceeds 10 inches Seldom exceeds 10 inches

 Distribution Generally found in the interior streams of Northeast Iowa Generally found in the interior streams of Northeast Iowa Is rarely found in the upper Des Moines and Mississippi rivers and large natural lakes Is rarely found in the upper Des Moines and Mississippi rivers and large natural lakes  Habitat Vegetated and brushy stream margins or rocky and vegetated margins of lakes Vegetated and brushy stream margins or rocky and vegetated margins of lakes Most common in clear, silt- free rocky streams Most common in clear, silt- free rocky streams Ambloplites rupestris

 Diet Aquatic insects, minnows, and other small fish Aquatic insects, minnows, and other small fish  Reproduction Nest building begins by the male when water temperature reaches F, usually between May and June Nest building begins by the male when water temperature reaches F, usually between May and June Female deposits ~5000 eggs in the nest Female deposits ~5000 eggs in the nest After hatching, young are found in quiet water areas protected from waves and strong currents After hatching, young are found in quiet water areas protected from waves and strong currents Ambloplites rupestris

 Conservation Status Common and native to Iowa Common and native to Iowa  Economic and Recreational Importance Important in recreational fishing Important in recreational fishing  Ecological Importance Provides a stable prey base for larger fish Provides a stable prey base for larger fish Helps to keep its food base in ecological check Helps to keep its food base in ecological check Ambloplites rupestris

 References Eddy, S. and J.C. Underhill How to Know the Freshwater Fishes. 3 rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston. Eddy, S. and J.C. Underhill How to Know the Freshwater Fishes. 3 rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston. Iowa Department of Natural Resources IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. August Iowa Department of Natural Resources IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. August Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Ambloplites rupestris

Warmouth Bass Lepomis gulosus Identification: -Warmouth have a thick, oblong body. Large mouth with the upper jaw extending to or beyond the middle of the eye. - dark olive-brown color, mottled with dark brown blotches over the body. - dark colored stripes extending from the eye to the opercle - Warmouth have only three anal fin spines (rock bass have six). Florida Fisheries

Warmouth Bass  Distribution: Warmouth are found from the Atlantic to Texas, excluding the Canadian shield and the Appalachians. Warmouth are found from the Atlantic to Texas, excluding the Canadian shield and the Appalachians.  Habitat: They prefer weedy lakes, sluggish streams, oxbows, marshes and ponds. They prefer weedy lakes, sluggish streams, oxbows, marshes and ponds. Iowa DNR Ohio DNR

Warmouth Bass  Diet: Crayfish, shrimp, insects and small fishes Crayfish, shrimp, insects and small fishes  Reproduction: Warmouths are solitary nesters Warmouths are solitary nesters Nests are found over a wide range of water depths. adjacent to submerged objects. Nests are found over a wide range of water depths. adjacent to submerged objects. They spawn between April and August. They spawn between April and August. Females may produce 3,000 to 23,000 eggs. Females may produce 3,000 to 23,000 eggs.

Warmouth Bass  Conservation status: Not in any danger, open all year Not in any danger, open all year  Recreational Value: The warmouth is one of the more easily caught sunfish. They strike hard, frequently breaking the surface of the water. The warmouth is one of the more easily caught sunfish. They strike hard, frequently breaking the surface of the water.  Ecological Importance: Widely stocked Widely stocked

Warmouth Bass  Other: Common names: warmouth sunfish, goggle eye Common names: warmouth sunfish, goggle eye Most of its feeding is done in the morning, as it seems to sleep at night. Most of its feeding is done in the morning, as it seems to sleep at night. The Virtual Aquarium

References  Iowa DNR  Fish and Fishing Maynard Reece, Meredith press, NY 1963  Ohio DNR

Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) Other names - sunperch, blue sunfish, copperbelly, copperhead, bream, coppernose bream, redbreasted sunfish, yellowbelly, bluemouth sunfish, baldface, plumb granny, pumpkinseed, pond perch, roach

Identification Deep, slab-sided with small mouth Dark, olive colored back and sides, yellow to reddish underneath Usually has dark vertical bars on sides and blueish gill cover and chin No radiating lines from eye like Warmouth Black, flexible tip at rear of gill cover, no red spot on it like Redear sunfish Breast usually yellow to reddish Upper jaw does not reach as far back as eye 10 spines in un-notched dorsal fin. Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) Iowa DNR

Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) Distribution Most abundant of all sunfish in IA Found in virtually all waters Most abundant in ponds and lakes Not commonly found in western streams Found in most interior rivers, very abundant in backwaters of the Mississippi. Iowa DNR

Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) Diet Zooplankton when young Aquatic insects as adults Will also supplement algae and other aquatic life in the scarcity of insects Argulus, or Fish Lice have been found in stomach contents indicating that bluegill may perform a cleaning function on heavily parasitized fish Reproduction Late May to early August, esp. around the first of June Water temp usually 21 – 27 degrees C Males build saucer-shaped nests in 30 – 130cm of water, guard them heavily Nest in colonies: up to 50 nests in 25 m radius Females lay eggs in several nests Finer substrates yield more fry: average 64,000 in fine sand and gravel Usually reproduce in their second year

Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) Conservation Status: Very abundant, not threatened in this state Economic/recreational value: Popular panfish, easy to catch, hard fighters, good eating Ecological Importance: Very important forage for larger fish. High reproduction rates allow them to take over ponds, stunting growth

Bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) Other Info: Usually average around 20cm (8”) Can reach 30 cm and weigh up to 1 kg. Iowa record is 32.7cm (12-7/8 in.) and 1.42 kg (3 lb, 2 oz.) Size varies greatly with population density World Record: 2.01kg (4 lbs, 7 oz.) AL IL DNR LandBigFish.com

References: Lepomis machrochirus Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois Fishes. Available at: November Iowa Department of Natural Resources. IowaDNR Fish and Fishing: Bluegill. Available at: November LandBigFish.com Bluegill. Available at: November Mayhew, J Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines Iowa. Available at: November November 2004 Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Chris Steffen Distribution: statewide; nearly Global Habitat: lakes, ponds, quiet rivers; usually found around structure Identification: body green-shaded with a broad, continuous dark stripe along each side; belly white to yellowish; dorsal fin almost completely separated between spiny and soft portion and lower jaw extends past the gold-colored eye; commonly inches; state record 10lb. 12oz. Iowa DNR Pennsylvania FBC

Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Diet: insects, fish, crayfish, frogs; occasionally ducks, snakes, mice Reproduction: the male creates a nest; female lays 2,000-43,000 eggs; male protects nest and young for several days after hatching Conservation Status: very common Auburn FIsheries USDA

Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Economic/Recreational value: one of the most popular game fish in Iowa and the US; generates millions through tackle sales, fishing trips, tournaments Ecological Importance: top piscivore in most Iowa ponds and lakes Abtlures.com Ohio History Central ESPN

References: Micropterus salmoides Eddy, S. and J.C. Underhill How to Know the Freshwater Fishes. 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston. 215 pp. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Fishes of Iowa. Available at card.html. November Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 pp. Pflieger, W. L The Fishes of Missouri, Revised Edition. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City Missouri. Texas Parks and Wildlife. Texas Freshwater Fishing. Available at species/lmb/lmb.htm Ohio History Central. Fish. Largemouth Bass. Available at /fish/nlrgmouthbass.shtml

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Identification: Large mouth, body laterally compressed, short, rounded pectoral fins, yellow to white margin on the ear flap, 10 spines in dorsal fin. Color: Blue-green back and sides, white to yellow belly, black spot on posterior base of dorsal and anal fin, yellow-orange margins on dorsal, caudal, and anal fin, emerald and yellow streaks on head. (Green Sunfish) Virginia Fish and Wildlife (Bluegill) By Kelly Andersen

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Distribution: Native to the Central and Eastern U.S., but have been introduced over much of the U.S. Most wide-ranging sunfish in Iowa Iowa DNR

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Habitat: Quiet and backwaters of streams, lakes and ponds. Diet: YOY- zooplankton, aquatic insects Adults - young fish or minnows, insects, crayfish Iowa DNR

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Reproduction: Sexually mature at about 2 years, males build nest when water reaches 70 degrees F, usually in June. Nest in colonies near shore, prefer sand or gravel bottom, if limited space nests will be very close together, females lay 2,000-10,000 eggs per year, males stay with the nest until fry are free swimming (usually 6-7 days) Conservation: N/A considered common to abundant in their habitat.

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Economic/recreational: sport fish, easily caught on many types of baits, rarely exceed 6-7 in. State Record: 2 lbs 1oz. from a farm pond. Ecological important: important food source for other larger sport fish. Other Common Names: Shade perch, black perch, slicks, ricefield slick, mud bass, rubber-tail, bluespotted sunfish, pond perch, green perch, sand bass, sunfish floridafisheries.com

References: Lepomis cyanellus Eddy, S. and J.C. Underhill How to Know the Freshwater Fishes. 3 rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston. Page, L. M. and B. M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Iowa Department of Natural Resources.1994.IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. Available at October

Orange Spotted Sunfish (Lepomis humilis) by: Kristin Burdorf

Lepomis humilis  Characteristics Large mouth that extends to eye when closed Large mouth that extends to eye when closed Spiny dorsal fin with 10 spines that is directly connected to the soft part of the fin Spiny dorsal fin with 10 spines that is directly connected to the soft part of the fin Long gill flaps with vivid orange spots on the sides Long gill flaps with vivid orange spots on the sides Sides are olive colored with fine golden or emerald dots Sides are olive colored with fine golden or emerald dots

 Distribution Statewide Statewide Commonly found in man-made lakes, natural lakes and interior streams Commonly found in man-made lakes, natural lakes and interior streams Occasionally in Mississippi and Missouri rivers Occasionally in Mississippi and Missouri rivers  Habitat Quite pools of creeks and small to large, often turbid, rivers Quite pools of creeks and small to large, often turbid, rivers Usually near brush Usually near brush Lepomis humilis

 Diet Aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally other small fish Aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally other small fish  Reproduction Spawns in colonies with the male constructing the nest Spawns in colonies with the male constructing the nest Spawning last from May to August Spawning last from May to August Male stays with the nest for five days or until the eggs hatch Male stays with the nest for five days or until the eggs hatch

 Conservation Status Common and native to Iowa Common and native to Iowa  Economical and Recreational Importance Important in recreational fishing Important in recreational fishing  Ecological Importance Provides a stable prey base for larger fish Provides a stable prey base for larger fish Helps keep its food base in ecological check Helps keep its food base in ecological check Lepomis humilis

 References Eddy, S. and J.C. Underhill How to Know the Freshwater Fishes. 3 rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston. Eddy, S. and J.C. Underhill How to Know the Freshwater Fishes. 3 rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston. Iowa Department of Natural Resources IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. August Iowa Department of Natural Resources IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. August Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Lepomis humilis

Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus By Emily Mae Hoffman Ohio DNR

Identification of Identification of Lepomis gibbosus  Bright red half moon shaped spot on opercle  Olive colored with purplish bars  Orange breast and belly  Wavy green and gold bars on cheeks  Small mouth does not reach front of eye  10 – 11 spines in dorsal fin  Adults are cm Iowa DNR

Habitat  Prefer clear water, aquatic vegetation, and a substrate of organic matter  Not common in rivers  Tolerant of high turbidity and little or no water flow  Have a home range Iowa DNR

Diet  Aquatic insects and larvae  Snails  Small crustaceans  Adults will eat small fish University of Wisconsin

Reproduction  Late spring to early summer  Males build colonies of nests in shallow water  Male and female swim in a circle in the nest, touching bellies, while the female deposits her eggs  Females lay 1,500 eggs  Males guard eggs until they hatch and guard young for 5 – 11 days  Often hybridizes with bluegill

Conservation Status  No state record  Not abundant in Iowa  Found in natural lakes more than man-made lakes Illinois DNR

Ecological/Economic Importance  Preyed upon by larger fish  Also preyed upon by water birds, such as herons  Eat mosquito larvae  Fun to catch, good to eat

References Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois Fishes Families/Species. Available at Iowa Department of Natural Resources IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. Available at Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Available at University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute Available at