| CARP (also known as german carp, european carp, leather carp) |
IDENTIFICATION & FEATURES: |
- Two barbels on each side of the upper jaw
- Saw-edged spiny dorsal fin ray
- Large thick scales
- Back is dark green to brown becoming yellowish on the belly
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HABITAT:
- Warm, shallow water with much aquatic vegetation
- Carp are tolerant of poor environmental conditions
SPAWNING:
- Carp reach maturity in 3 years
- Spawns in early spring and summer in weedy or grassy shallows
- Eggs hatch in 3-6 days
FOOD:
- Carp feed mainly on aquatic vegetation and insects
ANGLING:
- Best angling method for carp is fishing the bottom with corn kernels, doughballs or worms
- Still-fishing with the aid of a float is most effective
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| BROWN BULLHEAD (also known as brown catfish, mudcat, common catfish) |
IDENTIFICATION & FEATURES: |
- Dark barbels on chin
- Square tail fin
- Thick saw-toothed spines on dorsal and pectoral fins
- Dark brown becoming creamy on the belly
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HABITAT:
- Found in shallow, warm water near sand or mud bottoms
- Tolerant of very poor environmental conditions
SPAWNING:
- First spawns at age 3
- Spawns in late spring to early summer in mud or sand
- Eggs hatch in 6-9 days
FOOD:
- Insect larvae, crayfish, snails and aquatic vegetation
- Feeds at night on the bottom, using barbels to locate food
ANGLING:
- Taken by still-fishing with worms, doughballs, stinkbaits and baitfish
- The reddish colour flesh is surprisingly delicious
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| CHANNEL CATFISH (also known as channel cat) |
IDENTIFICATION & FEATURES: |
- Dark barbels on chin
- Deeply forked tail
- Dark brown becoming creamy on the belly
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HABITAT:
- Found in warm water near sand or mud bottoms
- Often inhabits large turbid rivers
SPAWNING:
- Spawns in late spring to early summer in mud or sand
FOOD:
- Fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, clams and snails
- Feeds at night on the bottom, using barbels to locate food
ANGLING:
- Taken by still-fishing with worms, doughballs, stinkbaits and baitfish
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