THE WORLD OF WALLEYES - In-Fisherman | Page 5 THE WORLD OF WALLEYES Share on Google+ The most sensitive sniffer is the eel, capable of detecting amino acids in the range of a few parts per quadrillion. Although we know of no studies on the olfactory acuity of walleyes, it seems they probably can detect amino acids in a dilution of several parts per 10 million. That’s acute, for a part per million is about one ounce of a pure substance dissolved in enough water to fill 1,000 railroad tank cars. In hatchery tests, researchers lured young walleyes up one side of a y-shaped maze by dripping solutions of amino acids, including betaine into one side. Salt solutions also proved attractive. Other amino acids, fish mucus, and essences of walleye body parts were repulsive to the fish. The Growth Rate Chart: Comparison of average mean back-calculated length at each age for walleyes in South Dakota and Minnesota. Age Determination: Scale reading has been the traditional method for determining the age of fish and the average growth rate of populations. The assumption is that scales grow proportionately with fish length. And this relationship usually holds true.

During periods of slow or no growth, as in winter, rings, called circuli, are narrowly spaced. Fast growth brings widely spaced circuli. Year marks or annuli show rather clearly under magnification, and measurements from the central focus to succeeding annuli provide the fish’s growth history. Scales of slow-growing fish or fish from consistently warm climates may not reveal true age. For these fish, otoliths (ear bones) are more accurate. But they must be removed from the skull and usually sectioned, a more difficult process than scale reading. It’s no surprise that walleyes smell well, for livebait often is the only answer to a tough bite and inactive fish. Sometimes the addition of a bit of crawler or minnow head provides a trigger that we surmise is due primarily to olfaction. For walleyes, the sense of taste spurs a decision to spit a bait or to swallow it. Here again, a jig tipped with a minnow passes the taste test more often than one tipped with a twister tail.

Researchers at Berkley, Classic Manufacturing, Kodiak, and other companies that produce plastics impregnated with attractants hope to eventually synthesize a formula more appealing than natural prey to walleyes and other species. Certainly, plastics flavored with attractive amino acids, preyfish essences, and salt cause fish to hold them in their mouth and sometimes attempt to swallow them. Vision: Nighttime walleye fishing is a summertime tradition, but it’s also one of the best times to catch walleyes in winter, spring, and fall, particularly in clear lakes and reservoirs. Walleyes feed nocturnally because they see better at night than the prey they pursue. The only freshwater fish with better night vision is the walleye’s cousin, the sauger. The walleye’s eye is large, allowing the pupil, the light gathering part of the eye, to gather as much light as possible. No creature can see in complete darkness, but starlight provides enough light for walleyes and other nocturnal animals. The principal adaptation for night vision in nocturnal animals is the tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer on the retina that concentrates light after it enters the eye.

Cats, raccoons, skunks, and deer in addition to walleyes, sauger, and some other fish have similar structures. Vision begins when light passes through the cornea and then the lens, which focuses the image as a camera lens does. Light then reaches two types of light-sensitive cells in the retina—rods and cones. Cone cells detect color when they’re exposed to daylight. Rod cells distinguish shades of gray and allow vision when sunlight isn’t present. Walleye and sauger eyes contain a larger proportion of rods than the eyes of perch, shiners, and other fish most active in daytime. The tapetum lucidum, a layer of guanine crystals, is located in the lower portion of the deepest layer of the retina. This physiology suggests that walleyes see lures and baits moving above them more clearly than those moving slightly below their level. And fishing experiences suggest that for the best response, lures should be set to run slightly above sonar images of fish. Luminous paint or strips of tape applied to a crankbait belly catch the fish’s eye. The Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers : Welcome Fish do not drink.

They get their water by absorbing it through their skin Someone who studies fish is called an ichthyologist PARTS OF A FISH Fish are very interesting creatures. The diagram below shows all the different parts of a fish. A FEW SPECIES THAT ARE FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN The following are fish species you may come accross while fishing right here in Saskatchewan: Walleye The walleye, the most popular member of the perch family, gets its name from the large eye with its light reflecting retina which gives the fish its walleyed appearance. This fish is probably the most economically valuable species in Canada's inland waters and is probably the most sought after species of fish in Saskatchewan. Some of the largest walleye in Saskatchewan are found in Tobin Lake and along the North Saskatchewan River. Walleye have a dark green back, golden yellow sides and a white belly. The lower tip of the caudal fin is white, and there is a large black blotch at the rear base of the first dorsal fin. The scales are rough, and the dorsal fin has sharp barbs on it. Yellow Perch The yellow perch is a favourite sport fish of all anglers.

This small fish is widely distributed in Saskatchewan in lakes and small dugouts. The yellow perch is dusky olive green over the back, and its sides to below the pectoral fins are yellow or yellow-green marked with six to eight broad, dusky, vertical bars. Its belly is white. Like other members of the perch family, such as the walleye and sauger, it has two well separated dorsal fins, the first spiny-rayed and the second softrayed. Perhaps the easiest of all fish to catch, it is taken in all seasons of the year. It responds to any type of natural bait and will also attack artificial lures. Perch usually move in large, loose schools which, when encountered, provide the angler with fast and furious activity. An excellent pan fish, the flesh of the yellow perch is firm, white, and sweet-tasting. Northern Pike The northern pike, sometimes called the jack, jackfish, snake, or water wolf, is a very popular sportfish in Saskatchewan. As a game fish, its reputation varies with locality. Being a strong, persistent fighter, it annually attracts many anglers in some areas. The northern pike is the wolf of the fresh waters.

Lurking on the edge of a weed bed, it attacks creatures unwary enough to enter its domain. It has an huge appetite for fish, young waterfowl and frogs. This species has a long, slender, powerful body and a long, broad, flattened snout. Its dorsal and anal fins are placed far back on its body, near the tail. The roof and jaws of its large mouth exhibit broad bands of sharp, pointed teeth. This fish is found in the majority of fresh water in the province. Burbot The burbot is perhaps one of Saskatchewan's most over looked species. It has thick, white, meaty flesh that makes excellent table fare. This makes sence, as the burbot is actually a fresh-water member of the cod family. While it may taste good, it's looks are certainably questionable. Some consider it down-right ugly. It has a wide, flat head with a long fins running down its body, making it look more like an eel than a fish. Burbot have a tan or brown colour to them, with dark blotches. This makes them have a camouflaged appearance.

They have a single whisker-like barbel beneath the tip of their chin and have small, thin scales that many anglers mistake for skin. Burbot are found throughout Saskatchewan in large, cool rivers and more commonly in deep-water lakes. An interesting fact about the burbot is that it is the only Saskatchewan fish species that spawns in midwinter, beneath the ice. Rainbow Trout This species of fish does not occur naturally in Saskatchewan. If you find Rainbow Trout in a lake or stream it was probably stocked there through the provincial stocking system of through a private fish farm. It is a highly sought after fish especially by fly fishermen. The rainbow has an elongated body, with an iridescent, reddish band running along each side from head to tail. Both the colour and size of this fish vary with the environment. The rainbow trout is well adapted to both streams and lakes. While it prefers cold, clear, swift-flowing water, it can tolerate warm water. Prairie farmers, especially in Manitoba, now make use of many small, glacier-formed pothole lakes as rainbow-trout-rearing ponds Lake Trout Lake Trout are one of the largest of the freshwater fish found in Saskatchewan.

It is endowed with a flesh of superb eating quality hence is eagerly sought by commercial, sport, and subsistence fishermen. This species of fish is normally found in the northern waters which are much colder and deeper than southern Saskatchewan waters. The lake trout has the same moderately elongated shape shared by other trout and salmon. The head and fins of the Lake Trout are covered with light coloured spots on a darker background. Anglers catch them in surface waters very early in the spring by fly or spin fishing. As the surface waters warm up, these fish retire to deep water making necessary the use of special, deep-water tackle. The flesh of the lake trout varies in colour from pale ivory to deep pink and has an especially delicate, delicious flavour. Brown Trout The brown trout is another fish that is not native to the province. Brown trout are similar in shape and appearance to other trout, except for their pronounced black spots on their back and red or orange spots with pale borders on their flanks. To positively identify a brown trout, you can also look for their non-spotted, square caudal fin. When they are young, brown trout eat a diet mainly of insects and other small aquatic invertebrates.

As they grow, the adult brown troutï¿½s diet expands to include larger prey items such as crayfish and fish, in addition to consuming large amounts of both larval and mature insects. Managed in Saskatchewan primarily through stocking, brown trout can successfully survive in both streams and lakes. Brook Trout Brook trout are managed in Saskatchewan through stocking programs, as they are an introduced species in the province. The english interpretation of the brook trout's scientific name translates to "little salmon living in a spring". These fish require clean, cool, well-oxygenated ponds, streams, rivers, or lakes. An interesting fact about the brook trout is that it is not a trout at all. It actually belongs to the char family. They can be identified by their white leading edge on lower fins and red body spots surrounded by blue halos. They are olive-green to dark brown on their back, lighter on sides and silvery white on the underside . Their colour can be especially bright during the fall spawn, when the underside of the males becomes orange or red.

Largemouth Bass One of the most sought after fish in certain parts of the United States, the largemouth bass is only found in one Saskatchewan water, Boundary Reservoir, which is located in the far south-east corner of the province. The largemouth bass is a relatively large fish. They possess two, joined dorsal fins the first being spiny-rayed and the second, soft-rayed. These joined fins tells us that the largemouth bass is a member of the sunfish family. The head and back of this species is typically bright green to olive in colour, with a white underside. A dark lateral band is present extending from behind the gill cover to the caudal fin but often becomes broken or not as visible in adults. Largemouth will often feed in schools in well-vegetated areas. They feed on other fish, insects, crayfish and frogs. Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth bass are another member of the sunfish family that can befound in Saskatchewan. Smallmouth bass are currently managed in a limited number of small, landlocked lakes across the south and east-central areas of the province. The smallmouth bass is a moderately large, golden-brown to olive-green coloured fish, with a white belly.

It differs from the largemouth in that it has 8 to 15 vertical bars along the flank. One of the easiest ways to tell a largemouth bass from a smallmouth bass is by the size of their mouths. The mouth of a small mouth bass is considerably smaller. This can be easily seen in the field by looking at the fishes maxillary (corner of the mouth). In smallmouth bass, their mouth ends at the center of their eye, while in largemouth bass, their mouth extends right past their eye, hence the name largemouth and smallmouth. Rock Bass The third member of the sunfish family in Saskatchewan is the rock bass. The rock bass is the only species of sunfish native to Saskatchewan. Rock bass are presently found only in the Assiniboine and Quï¿½Appelle Rivers in the province. Rock bass are small, slim, deep-bodied fish that weigh up to half a pound. While rock bass have similar colouration, olive green to deep gold, and the same attached dorsal fins like the two bass species above, rock bass have a very distinct feature, other than their small size.

Their large eyes are orange to bright red in colour and are sometimes even referred to as "red-eye", "redeye bass" or "goggle-eye", instead of a rock bass. Rock bass can be found in rocky areas schooling around in warmer reaches of the two river systems they are found in. They feed in shallow water on aquatic insects, minnows, yellow perch and crayfish. Lake Sturgeon The lake sturgeon is the grand-daddy of all fish in Saskatchewan. Lake sturgeon have been around for some 200 million years, making it the oldest living creature on earth. In Saskatchewan, sturgeon range in size from 10 to 80 pounds, but have attained sizes of 270 pounds! Undoubtedly the largest fish in the province, fossil evidence shows sturgeon look much like they did 100-million years ago, during the age of the dinosaurs. Sturgeon are covered with 5 rows of bony plates, which likely evolved as protection against predators. To feed, sturgeon suck food off the bottom of the lake or river. They feed on crayfish, insect larvae, leeches, aquatic invertebrates and the occasional small fish. One of their preferred foods is the freshwater clam.

Although sturgeon usually live to be 40 to 60 years old there are reports of some living as long as a century. In the province, they are found only in the South and North Saskatchewan and Churchill River systems. While sturgeon seem like a very interesting fish to try and catch, one of the provincesï¿½ most rare fish and as such, they are protected in Saskatchewan. The limit on lake Sturgeon is zero. Carp The common carp are not native to Saskatchewan, Canada, or even the United States. Common carp were also never stocked in Saskatchewan. How did they get here? Carp were originally introduced to the eastern United States from Europe in the early 1800s. Since then, the common carp has invaded and have extended their range to include areas of southern and eastern Saskatchewan. Records indicate an invasion prior to 1955. Carp consume both plant and animal matter including aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms, molluscs and aquatic plants. When they feed, a carp will inhale and expel mouthfuls of dirt and sand, and pick out only food items.

Large numbers of carp feeding stirs up the water, and makes it difficult for some other fish species to see and feed. Carp are tremendously reproductive with a single female laying up to two million eggs. Carp can grow to a considerably large size and are a good fighting fish. If you want to try carp fishing, some baits to try are dough, bread crust, meat, corn, cheese, or flavoured imitation baits. Bigmouth Buffalo A fish that looks similar to a carp is the bigmouth buffalo. While both species have large scales, soft-rayed fins and are typically olive green, dark brown or even bronze in colour, the easiest way to tell them apart are the barbels on their mouths. Carp have a whisker-like barbel at each corner of their mouth, while bigmouth buffalo do not. Bigmouth are found in the Quï¿½Appelle River system. Saskatchewan is the furthest northwest limit of their native North American range. They are actually a member of the sucker family, Saskatchewan's largest, and feed with the long gill rakers within their mouth. They efficiently filter aquatic invertebrates from the mud and debris by repeatedly inhaling and exhaling while feeding.

Special Note: All fish photos were taken and graciously provided by Eric Engbretson of Engbretson Underwater Photography. For these and many other spectacular underwater photos, view their webpage at DID YOU KNOW? You can tell how old a fish is by two methods: Growth "rings" on scales, and ringlike structures found on the otolith of a fish. Otoliths are small bones of the inner ear, these rings are examined and counted. The rings correspond to seasonal changes in the environment and can be compared to the annual rings of tree trunks. Most fish are colourblind, despite the opinion of many sportfishermen. Fish can see colour shadings, reflected light, shape, and movement, which probably accounts for the acceptance or rejection of artificial lures used by fishermen. Some fish, like the walleye, can only see certain colours. In clear water, walleye can see the colour orange the best, but when conditions are darker, the fish see colours at the red end of the spectrum better. They also see the colour green, but not as well as orange or red.

Music To Fish For PERCH To (Music To Fish To) Perch Fishing Rigs, Tips & Tactics - YouTube Music To Fish For PERCH To (Music To Fish To) Perch Fishing Rigs, Tips & Tactics Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Feb 2, 2015 Check Out my other channel at CAmericaProjects.com Music To Fish For PERCH To (Music To Fish To) Facts About Yellow Perch Yellow perch are an extremely adaptable fish that can thrive in a great variety of habitats. Their native range is from the Lesser Slave Lake and the Hudson Bay region in Canada southward through the Great Lakes to Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and as far south as South Carolina. Perch were first introduced to Utah in 1890 when someone got the wise idea to put them in the Weber River. Shortly thereafter perch were planted into numerous waters throughout the state.

Perch are now found in Bear Lake, Newton, Hyrum, Rockport, Echo, Pineview, Deer Creek, Utah Lake, Yuba, Willard Bay, DMAD, Gunnison Bend and Fish Lake. Probably the worst two places perch have shown up in the past were Strawberry and Scofield reservoirs. Eventually both reservoirs were treated to remove them and there are no perch in either reservoir now. In Utah most perch are caught through the ice, in the winter. Almost no one fishes for perch during the rest of the year, even though they are readily caught year round. Perch are generally easy to catch and will readily take a wide variety of baits and lures. They feed all day long but are especially active in the morning and evening. Perch generally don't feed much or at all at night. I proved this at Pineview several winters ago. I took a group of Boy Scouts on a campout. By the time we got camp set up and dinner cooked it was well after dark. After dinner we decided to try a little fishing. We lit lanterns and slid out onto the ice. We fished and fished without a single bite. I couldn't figure what we were doing wrong.

Finally after some friendly kidding from the boys we gave up for the night without a single fish. The next morning we fished the same area, same baits, same everything and caught fish after fish. Perch just don't feed at night. Perch can be great fun to catch or a tremendous nuisance. Everyone likes to catch big perch and no one likes to catch little ones. Perch size is directly related to spawning success, food supply and predation. Bass, walleye, tiger muskies, northern pike and even big trout love to eat perch. A well established predator will keep perch numbers in check and perch size will increase. When few predators are present perch will over-populate, eat all the available food and stunt. Perch belong to the Percidae family of fish and are closely related to walleye and sauger. All of the species of this family are spiny-rayed and have two well separated dorsal fins. The first fin (closest to the head) has the most spines. When threatened the perch raises these fins as a defense against being eaten. The spines on the fins are extremely sharp and can inflict a painful wound.

Perch spawn in the spring when the water temperature is between 44 and 55 degrees. They generally spawn at night. Depending on its size, a perch will spawn between 4,000 and 40,000 eggs. Perch do not build nests and the eggs are generally laid over aquatic vegetation. The strands of eggs are sticky and adhere to the vegetation. The eggs hatch in from 8 to 10 days. Perch are not good parents and not only don't care for their young, but will readily eat them if possible. Yellow perch like clear, cold water in lakes and large ponds but will also inhabit slower moving parts of large rivers. Perch do not do well in small ponds or small streams. They generally school by age class and the schools may be large, especially for the younger fish. Perch like to hang out around weed beds but will move into deep water as the shallow water warms. Perch will suspend in deep water but are generally found within a foot or two of the bottom. Perch are carnivorous and will eat just about any kind of creature they can get their mouth around.

They will eat other fish, crawfish, snails, insects, worms, fresh water shrimp and fish meat. Perch meat or eyeballs are two of the best baits but perch will also readily take mealworms, wax worms, small pieces of nightcrawlers, oysters, anchovies and other fish meat. A flashy attractor six to 10 inches above the bait will increase the catch rate. The Utah state record perch weighed in at two pounds and 11 ounces. The largest perch ever caught came out of the Delaware River in 1865. It weighed four pounds three and a half ounces. Most perch never reach 12 inches in length and a pound in weight. Perch grow slowly but can live for nine or 10 years. Enjoy the music! Category Fishing Report From The TWRA - Chattanoogan.com Fishing Report From The TWRA Thursday, May 7, 2015 Here is the fishing report from the TWRA: Center Hill: Fishing is slow. Water temperature is 69 degrees; lake is stable. Bass: A few bass are being caught on topwater baits and soft plastics around laydown cover.

Bluegill: A few being bluegill are being caught on crickets and nightcrawlers on gravel banks in 10 feet of water. Walleye: A few walleye are being caught near Pates Ford while trolling crankbaits in 10-to-15 feet of water. Chickamauga Reservoir: Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 682.0 feet. Winter normal elevation: 676.0 feet. Current elevation: 681.3 feet. The water surface temperature is near 70 degrees on average. Largemouth Bass: The majority are shallow. Some are bedding. Creature lures, topwater lures, and spinnerbaits are the most used baits. Smallmouth Bass: Most tailwater anglers are not catching many fish. Crappie: The majority of the fish are being caught 8 to 10 feet deep on minnows or jigs. Several fish are being caught. Striped bass: Tailwater activity is increasing. Several are being caught by bass anglers using the “Rig”. Bluegill: Shallow fish are being caught while using worms or crickets in the shallows.

Catfish: Shallow fish are being caught. Some river fish are being caught, but many of these are close to rocky banks. Chicken parts, shad, and other meaty baits are being used. Dale Hollow: Fishing is slow. Water temperature is 68; lake is falling. Bass: A few bass are being caught on topwater baits early in the morning and late in the afternoon while fish are chasing shad. Bluegill: Several bluegill are being caught on bluff banks using crickets in 10 feet of water. Walleye: A few are walleye being caught at night while casting jerkbaits and crankbaits in 10 feet of water. Watts Bar: Reservoir Conditions: Summer normal elevation: 740.5 feet. Winter normal elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.3 feet. The water surface temperature is 70 degrees on average. Largemouth Bass: Bass anglers are catching fish in shallow water in various stages of the spawn. Creature lures, jigs, topwater baits, and crank baits are being used.

Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are being caught most often while using crankbaits. Gradual sloping banks near stumps or rocks in areas leading to the shallow water is the most targeted type of area. Walleye/Sauger: An occasional fish is being caught by tailwater anglers. Most anglers are targeting other species. Crappie: Tailwater crappie anglers are catching less. Lake anglers are catching several fish but in deeper water as many or most fish are moving into staging areas as they head toward summer locations. Jigs or minnows are being used. Catfish: Rocky banks in the sloughs, creeks and river are the areas that are being targeted. Meaty baits from various sources are being used. Striped bass: Activity is increasing, many are fishing and just a few are catching. The tailwaters in the Clinch and Tennessee are being visited by anxious anglers. Jigs or shad are being used. January 17, 2017 Lookout Wild Film Festival Returns To Chattanooga 5th Annual Festival Set For Jan.

19-22 Lookout Wild Film Festival films will take viewers racing through Alaska, kayaking over waterfalls in Mexico, hiking along the Appalachian Trail, crawling through Aztec ruins, mountain biking through militarized Eastern Europe, and even visiting a homemade island in Canada. The fifth annual LWFF, an outdoor adventure and conservation themed film festival, will take place Thursday, ... (click for more) 2017-18 Waterfowl, Migratory Bird Hunting Proposals Presented At Commission Meeting The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission was presented a preview of the 2017-18 waterfowl and other migratory bird hunting seasons at its first meeting of 2017. The one-day meeting was held Friday (Jan. 13) at the Bass Pro Shops in the Pyramid. The presentation in regard to waterfowl and other migratory birds was made at the January meeting due to recent changes in the timing ... (click for more) Fishes of Alabama | Encyclopedia of Alabama Maurice F.

Mettee, Geological Survey of Alabama Watercress Darter Alabama's numerous freshwater rivers , reservoirs, streams, springs, and lakes are home to more than 450 fish species in 29 families—the most found in any other state or province in North America. This total not only includes about 325 described (formally named) and undescribed (recognized but not formally named) native freshwater species, but also 15 introduced (nonnative) freshwater species, and 100 or more marine species. Alabama's fish species are spread across 16 river systems in three major drainage groups. Most fish species are represented by large numbers of individuals scattered across several river systems, but a few, known as endemic species, are restricted to a single river system, stream, spring, or cave . The Mobile basin has 41 endemic species, the Tennessee River has 14, and several coastal river systems located on either side of the Mobile basin have eight. The scientific descriptions of 71 of Alabama's fish species were based on fishes that were collected at specific sites, known as type localities, within Alabama and Mobile basin tributaries in adjacent states.

Three species—Alabama shad, ashy darter, and boulder darter—have disappeared from their type localities, but individuals of all three still exist at other locations within their known ranges. Why Does Alabama Have So Many Fishes? Paddlefish Alabama's rich diversity of fishes is directly influenced by a temperate climate ; relatively high year-round rainfall (averaging about 60 inches annually for the state as a whole); a large network of rivers, streams, springs, and lakes; and a diverse geological setting. The total surface area of Alabama's major freshwater rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds is about 563,000 acres. More than 3.6 million acres of freshwater and salty wetlands support numerous freshwater and estuarine species, some of which are not found anywhere else in the state. About 33.5 trillion gallons of fresh water flow into and out of Alabama's rivers every year.

The average discharge of the Mobile basin is about 0.94 million gallons of water per day per square mile, Southern Redbelly Dace greater than the average discharge of either the Mississippi River basin (0.34 million gallons), which drains most of the central United States, or the Columbia River (0.7 million gallons), which drains the northwestern United States. This sustained discharge rate is very important to the long-term health of Alabama's many fish species, especially during prolonged periods of drought. Alabama's geologic formations are important factors in the diversity of the state's fish communities in several ways. Different bottom materials, such as gravel or sand, provide perfect spawning habitats. Some of Alabama's rarest fish species are found only in those springs that discharge large quantities of cool groundwater. Present-day fish diversity and distribution of Alabama's freshwater fishes have been shaped in part by far-reaching and ongoing climatological processes that have profoundly altered the state's landscape during the last two million years. Repeated melting and refreezing of the polar ice caps during this time raised and lowered water levels along Alabama's coastline , thereby providing a perfect opportunity for several Atlantic coast and Mississippi River species to move into Alabama and remain here.

The movement and retreat of northern glaciers extended the southern ranges of several northern species into northern Alabama. These processes also served to isolate pockets of species that over time eventually developed into new endemic species. Fish Distributions by River System Smallmouth Bass Tennessee River: A total of 178 species have been documented in the Alabama section of the Tennessee River system. Included in this number are two marine species—the Atlantic needlefish and the striped mullet—that migrate into the river at various times of the year and two extinct species. The harelip sucker was last collected in Cypress Creek near Florence in 1884, and the whiteline topminnow was last collected in Spring Creek in Huntsville in 1889. Five of 15 endemic species documented in the system have disappeared, but populations of 11 species—including the Alabama cavefish , spring pygmy sunfish, and a number of darters—still inhabit the system. The Alabama cavefish is one of the rarest fish species in North America. Its single habitat, Key Cave in Lauderdale County , is protected by the Tennessee Valley Authority as a National Wildlife Refuge .

Sauger In addition to its rich nongame fish fauna, the Tennessee River is one of the finest fishing areas in the United States for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and sauger. The tailwater area below Wheeler Lock and Dam is best known for its abundant population of smallmouth bass. Several fish caught in this area established national weight records for various fishing line strengths. Backwater areas along the Tennessee River provide excellent fishing opportunities for bluegill, redear sunfish, and blue, channel, and flathead catfishes. Several Tennessee River tributaries, including Shoal Creek, Elk River, and Paint Rock River, offer excellent fishing opportunities for wading and canoe anglers to catch smallmouth, largemouth, spotted, and rock bass in a flowing stream environment. Alligator Gar Mobile Basin: The Mobile basin comprises eight river systems that drain most of Alabama as well as sections of western Georgia, eastern Mississippi, and southeastern Tennessee. The entire Mobile basin is inhabited by about 242 fish species. Numbers of species per river system range from 123 in the upper Tombigbee River to 147 species in the Coosa River.

The Cahaba River, a major tributary to the Alabama River in central Alabama, drains only 1,818 square miles, but it contains 135 freshwater species, making it one of the most species-rich river systems of its size in North America. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is inhabited by more than 130 freshwater and marine species. Most marine species are confined to coastal rivers and the delta, but a few species move upstream as far north as Tuscaloosa in the Black Warrior River system and Montgomery in the Alabama River system. The Mobile Basin provides some of the best game fishing habitat and opportunities in North America. Bluegill Largemouth and spotted bass are important target species for numerous bass tournaments held across the state annually. Recreational anglers catch alligator gar , black and white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and largemouth and spotted bass in the rivers and their backwater areas during the spring and summer months and striped bass and white bass-striped bass hybrids during the winter months. Lewis Smith Lake and the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers are favorite locations for catching striped bass. The upper Coosa and Tombigbee Rivers are recognized nationally for their excellent crappie fishing.

Coastal River Systems: Alabama sections of seven coastal river systems located on either side of the Mobile basin are inhabited by 139 fish species. Total species per drainage range from 21 in the Blackwater River to 95 in the Conecuh River. The orangetail shiner is the only endemic species whose entire coastal river range is contained within Alabama's borders. The distributions of seven endemic species restricted to the Chattahoochee River system are shared between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The Chattahoochee River is the only place in Alabama where anglers can catch the shoal bass, a feisty species whose body colors closely resemble those of the smallmouth bass in north Alabama. Eufaula is a favorite area for numerous bass tournaments in southeastern Alabama. Although not native to our coastal rivers. the flathead catfish has been introduced into the Choctawhatchee and Conecuh Rivers by local anglers and through the collapse of local aquaculture ponds. The redear sunfish is a favorite game fish for local anglers in several coastal rivers. Anadromous Species Gulf Sturgeon Anadromous fish live in marine habitats most of the year and migrate into freshwater rivers in the spring to spawn.

Historic newspaper articles and harvest statistics indicate two anadromous species: Gulf sturgeon and Alabama shadonce migrated into the Alabama, Black Warrior, Cahaba, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Tombigbee rivers from the late nineteenth century to about the middle of the twentieth century. These migration routes were blocked, however, when high-lift hydroelectric dams and navigation locks and dams were constructed on lower sections of the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. Shortly thereafter, both species disappeared from inland sections of most state rivers. Gulf sturgeon and Alabama shad are still infrequently encountered in the Alabama, Choctawhatchee, Conecuh, and Tombigbee rivers, Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, and Mobile Bay. Spawning success of both species has been confirmed in the Choctawhatchee and Conecuh rivers but not in the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. Gulf Sturgeon Near Fairhope The Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama.

Early newspaper photos and articles noted the collection of a 360-pound Gulf sturgeon in the Cahaba River near Centreville in 1941, a 400-pound fish from the Coosa River near Coopers in 1924, and several 300- to 400-pound fish in the lower Tallapoosa River near Wetumpka in the 1920s and 1930s. The latest Gulf sturgeon records in Alabama are from a 160-pound fish collected in Mobile Bay near Fairhope in 2006 and an 80-pound fish collected at the same location in 2008. Adult Gulf sturgeon usually congregate in coastal bays in January and February, begin their upstream spawning migrations into freshwater rivers during winter floods, and spawn from late March into early May. Some adults remain in deep pools and around submerged structures in freshwater rivers after spawning ends, and others occasionally migrate between freshwater and marine environments. Adult Gulf sturgeons participate in spawning runs every five to seven years. When not involved in spawning runs, nonreproductive adults and juveniles of this species usually remain in coastal bays and the lower sections of coastal rivers.

Young Gulf sturgeons actively feed on benthic (bottom-dwelling) invertebrates in freshwater rivers for one to two years before they migrate downstream into marine habitats. Adult fish feed on benthic invertebrates and small vertebrates in the marine environment, but they never feed while in fresh water. Adult Gulf sturgeons live for 30 to 40 years. Alabama Shad Alabama shad generally weigh between three and five pounds, reach a length of between 12 and 18 inches, and live four to six years. Adult shad enter freshwater rivers in late February, spawn in March, and return to estuarine areas shortly thereafter. After hatching, young shad feed aggressively in fresh water for three to four months, during which time they grow to six to seven inches in total length. They begin moving downstream toward the coast in August and September. Although the Alabama shad does not spawn until its second year, small numbers complete upstream spawning runs with adult fish during their first year after hatching. Catadromous Species American Eel Catadromous fishes spend most of their life in fresh water and migrate to salt water to spawn.

The American eel, the only catadromous species found in Alabama waters, completes the longest spawning run of any fish species found in Alabama. Individuals live in freshwater rivers for 6 to 9 years. When adults reach reproductive age, they begin a long spawning migration that carries them downstream into the Gulf of Mexico, around the southern tip of Florida, and north in the Atlantic Ocean to the Sargasso Sea near the island of Bermuda. After spawning is completed, the adults die. The larvae of this species are carried by ocean currents for several months, during which time they undergo one or two major changes in physical appearance. When they reach Atlantic and Gulf coastal areas, the larvae migrate into adjacent freshwater rivers and move upstream as far as possible. Tagging and recapture studies have demonstrated that some American eel larvae return to the same river systems occupied by their parents. When these young eels reach adult size, the process is repeated. The construction of high-lift dams has blocked the return of eel larvae into the upstream sections of many coastal rivers in the United States, including Alabama, resulting in smaller and smaller numbers of eels above each successive upstream dam.

Imperiled Species Vermilion Darter During the 2012 Alabama Nongame Symposium, the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published a series of reports on Alabama's imperiled vertebrate and aquatic mussel and snail species. Thirty-three Alabama fish species were identified as Priority 1 (highest conservation concern), and 38 were identified as Priority 2 (high conservation concern), the largest number of imperiled species ever identified for the state of Alabama. Several of these species have also been listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Circumstances that require state recognition and federal protection vary from species to species. The distributions and life histories of several riverine species have been altered by the construction of navigation locks and dams, habitat loss resulting from dredging activities, pulsed discharges of cold water from hydroelectric dams, and water pollution. Pygmy Sculpin The distributions of stream species have been adversely affected by urban and residential growth into natural areas, increased storm-water runoff and nonpoint discharges from shopping malls and other large developed areas, increased sediment runoff from expanding agricultural and forestry operations, habitat alteration, and long-term changes in water quality.

Alabama sturgeon may be the species in greatest danger of becoming extinct in the near future. Its continued survival may depend on the success of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division personnel in collecting, spawning, and stocking juvenile fish into the Alabama River. The Importance of Fishes Largemouth Bass Fishes are very important to Alabama's economy, the environmental integrity of its rivers and streams, and the recreational enjoyment of its citizens. Bass tournaments and recreational fishing activities generate considerable revenues for Alabama's state and local economies. Residents and nonresidents spend millions of dollars annually on boats and trailers, outboard motors, depth finders and other electronics, fishing tackle, fuel, oil, transportation costs, motel accommodations, and food. Fishing license sales and a portion of the federal excise taxes collected on the sale of fishing-related equipment are returned to Alabama in the form of Sport Fish Restoration Funds; the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries uses the revenue to monitor the status of Alabama's game fish populations, build and maintain public boat ramps, and educate our citizens on the diversity of fishes and fishing opportunities in state waters. Commercial fishing and catfish farming generate additional millions of dollars in economic benefits for Alabama annually.

Commercial fishermen harvest thousands of pounds of blue, channel, and flathead catfish in Alabama's rivers annually with legal gill nets, baskets, slat boxes, and trotlines. Some of their catch is sold locally, but most is cleaned, packed in ice, and shipped to northern markets. Blue Catfish Fishes are relatively long-lived creatures, and most require fairly specific habitat and water-quality conditions to survive and reproduce. Changes in fish diversity and in community structure often reflect changes in their environment. A growing understanding of the direct relationship between water quality and the health of Alabama's fish communities has prompted many state and federal agencies to incorporate fish community sampling as part of their regular water-quality monitoring programs across the United States. In addition to their obvious economic and scientific benefits, fishes and fishing also provide a great opportunity for resident and nonresident anglers to experience their natural environment and harvest a variety of game fish for home consumption.

Question: A sauger is what type of creature?
Answer: Fish