Fish ID

PixelRabbit · Mar 21, 2012

Been trying to ID these fish but to no avail.
We know the old owner stocked the pond but obv we don't know with what. There are 4 different species we have seen and these are the two that I have gotten good enough pics of so far.

1. About a foot long. Thinking maybe a Brook Trout?

2. Think this is a smallmouth bass minnow... maybe. Same pond.

dimakuzmich · Mar 21, 2012

the first one is a carp look at its mouth its big, and a carp has big scales, and brook trout is spotted

dxqcanada · Mar 21, 2012

Hmm, yes first one looks like a Carp species.

They can tolerate ponds very well ... trout do not.

Wabusk · Mar 21, 2012

sorry guys but the first one is almost certainly a sucker species most likely the common white sucker. They are every where at this time of year in Ontario. Judging by the red eyes the last shot would most likely be a rock bass. Hard to tell but based on the image and immaturity of the fish but its my best guess. Brook trout have worm like marking on their back and like all char species white leading edges on their fins. They really are one of the most beautiful fish.

white_sucker.jpg

Fraser and a Large Brook Trout by nickkuchmak, on Flickr

dxqcanada · Mar 21, 2012

OK, Wabusk, I think you are correct ... this would explain why I never catch any fish.

There should be some nice Trout in the Saugeen River.

PixelRabbit · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks everyone

Wabusk, I'm with Dx, good ID

I'm going to plant myself beside the pond and try to get good pics of the others. I'll post here if I can't figure them out

Dx, yep we are just past where the Rocky Saugeen and the Saugeen join, we have heard there are Browns and Brooks. April 28th can't come soon enough!

dxqcanada · Mar 21, 2012

Fish Facts - Fish and Wildlife Branch - Government of Ontario Canada, Ontario Minsitry of Natural Resources

Wabusk · Mar 21, 2012

no need to wait until april 28th boys. Southampton below denny's dam is open all year and it has been an incredible early spring so far.

PixelRabbit · Mar 22, 2012

Wabusk said:
no need to wait until april 28th boys. Southampton below denny's dam is open all year and it has been an incredible early spring so far.

Ah true! I've never fished up there in the spring, just in the fall. Might have to take a day and go up there but will still be waiting impatiently for the 28th to drop the first lines in from our new home

Joel_W · Mar 22, 2012

Being a former freshwater Bass fisherman, I can assure you that the fish in question isn't a Smallmouth Bass.

PixelRabbit · Mar 22, 2012

Thanks Joel, back to the drawing board on that one, will watch for a more mature one today when I'm hanging around down there. That is the biggest problem, there are lots of charts/ id tools for mature fish but I haven't found one for young ones that is much help yet.