Fish ID guide?

[mixxedbagg]

I am interested in learning the identification of some of the rough fish I have been catching. For example, I can't tell the redhorses apart. Are there good field guides out there for all Minnesota fish species? I'd especially be interested in something small and durable for taking in the boat with me.

[bobbymalone]

wisconsin fish identification database

google it.

also posting them here gets an "ask the audience" lifeline ID pretty quickly.

I haven't found a portable field guide that is good. they either don't have a lot of fish or they have every single fish ever described.

[anordqu42]

I could point in the direction of a good source for roughfish ID plus I believe soon a field guide for most MN roughfish species will be available. Email me at anordqu42 at aol.com.

[anordqu42]

Reread my post and it kind of sounds like I was trying to sell something. Sorry. Since we can't post links (right?) on this site, I figure email would be the best way to pass on the info. Otherwise, google "roughfish' and you'll find some great sites with ID info. Some with a MN focus.

6 years ago I knew there was a fish called a sucker. Now I know there are 17 different types of catostomids found in the state. Most can be ID'd knowing dorsal fin shape/ray counts, mouth position, and other characterics. Some are tough as heck, even for the experts. It can be fun to try and hopefully more people will start to wonder what exactly they are catching. Good luck learning.

[Schollmeier]

anordqu42 knows his stuff - you could even go as far as to type "roughfish" or "non traditional fishing" into google and hit "I'm feeling lucky" this should get you to two good resources.

With a decent camera it can be easier to ID the fish later, after releasing it. For most species I take pictures of the following:

1. Clear, close broadside shot

2. Tail (caudal peduncle / caudal fin)

3. Dorsal fin, extended to show rays (on species that have them)

4. Anal fin, extended (see dorsal)

5. Mouth shot, showing lips (generally for sucker species)

For minnows I toss in these two typically:

1. Top view showing the back

2. bottom view showing the belly

[bobbymalone]

i've checked out some of those places before and found some helpful info.

like the OP though, I would love to see a little book with every "catchable" species of fish in the upper midwest with id defining characteristics and pics or illustrations. no need for every little minnow, but include those less frequent suckers and other roughies.

the only stuff i have seen out there now has you sorting trout from tuna or it's focused on heavily on mn and leaves out stuff like different redhorse and sucker flavors and other roughfish.

[Schollmeier]

I surprises me that there aren't more fish field guides for the midwest, just seems kind of strange. There is "Fish of Minnesota Field Guide," I've never seen it so I can't say how good it is. Peterson's "Freshwater Fishes" is great but it includes all species north of Mexico, so about 650 or so that aren't in MN. And of course pages of shiners and darters.

Unless "fish of minnesota field guide" fits the bill, it is too bad there isn't something like what you suggest. I'm sure there are at least a few out there that would buy a book on "catchable" sized fish of MN/ WI/ Upper Midwest.

[bobbymalone]

fish of minnesota is OK. i own it. it's got tough water resistant pages too.

but it doesn't have a lot of the less common roughfish and whatnot in there and it groups different species together, like no yellow, brown and black bullheads - only a general bullhead.

[mixxedbagg]

I would. Too bad I'm not capable of WRITING such a book. If I were, I wouldn't need one.

[mixxedbagg]

I don't think anyone would fault you for posting the link. I see links here all the time and I've never had one edited out when I posted it.

It's one of those laws nobody pays attention to...like stealing cable or shooting a duck or two before 9am.

[bassmann77]

The Peterson Field Guide is pretty good. It has a page that allows one to tell the difference of the redhorses by the lips. Some of the page templates are in color that helps in the ID of some of the "rougher" fish.