Iowa Fish Species – Pike Family

Pike have long, cylindrical bodies with a short dorsal fin far back on the body. Their heads are flattened and duckbill-shaped jaws are lined with very sharp teeth. They are cool water fish found in shallow weedy areas where they lie motionless and ambush their prey. Both members of the family described here are very popular sport fish.

For more information about pike, visit the DNR website.

Northern Pike

The “northern” is probably the best known and most widely distributed member of this family. It is found in the upper two-thirds of Iowa in natural lakes and large rivers. It is bluish green to gray on the back with irregular rows of yellow or gold spots on the sides. The cheek (forward part of the gill cover) is fully scaled. Individuals weighing ten pounds or more are not uncommon in larger lakes and rivers.

Northerns move into shallow marshy areas of rivers or flooded grassy margins of lakes and spawn just after ice-out. Adhesive eggs are deposited over the bottom or submerged vegetation and left. The young remain in shallow areas eating zooplankton and, later, fish.

Northern pike are daylight feeders, depending largely on sight. They are among the most predatory fish in Iowa waters, eating literally anything that moves. They can be caught with minnow-imitating plugs or bright spoons. They may follow a lure a distance before striking or strike repeatedly before they are hooked. Trolling along the outer edge of weed beds is a popular method of enticing northerns to strike.

Muskellunge

The “muskie” is similar in appearance to the more common northern. The lower half of the cheek has no scales and faint dark, vertical bars (not spots) often are present on the sides. It is found in habitats similar to northerns.

Muskellunge spawn several weeks later than northerns. In northern states they move to tributary streams and shallow lake channels, rather than the shallow marshy areas used by northerns. Like northerns, they broadcast their eggs on the bottom and leave them unattended. Iowa populations are dependent on stocking.

Muskellunge are voracious predators much like the northern pike. They are world-famous for their difficulty to hook and successfully land. Anglers use ten to twelve-inch live fish or artificial lures such as large spoons, plugs, and bucktails when fishing for muskellunge. It also is necessary to use heavy line or wire leaders to deal with their sharp teeth.

Trout Spawning Indoors

By Joe Wilkinson

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Are there 100,000 tiny brown trout darting along the concrete raceway, inside the Manchester hatchery? Just take their word for it. The tiny, just hatched fry resemble a black wriggling cloud rolling through the water.

These brown trout were spawned in the hatchery in November. Brook trout are worked up in October. Rainbow trout eggs are taken through December and into January. From previous years, hatchery workers know about how many eggs come from females of each species and their hatch rates. That provides a handle on, for instance, how many three-inch brown trout fingerlings will be on hand to stock this spring.

In the wild, reproduction rates run well below one percent. In the labor intensive spawning and rearing world at the hatchery, survival rates clear 60 percent. The cost of doing business is covered—barely—by your $12.50 annual trout fee.

“These take about three years to get to maturity; nine or 10 inches,” outlined DNR hatchery technician Randy Mack. He had sorted and anesthetized a few dozen females already and—with hatchery manager Dan Rosauer—was now stripping eggs from them, to mix with sperm from brood males kept  on the hatchery, too. 

“Anglers like these wild, stream raised fish. They are harder to catch. They’re prettier in color. They’re just a more wild fish,” noted Mack.

Having lost some of the larger brood fish this year, workers made do with 10-inch brown trout. Though still mature, each smaller female yielded only about 400 eggs, instead of 1,500. As a result, it took more of them--and more time--to reach 2015 quotas.

Different fish, different sizes…but the process is much the same. Firmly stroking fish bellies, workers strip eggs from each fish into a fabric net, then a pan to be fertilized, mixed and poured into specially designed hatching tray. The trays sit under constant cold water from nearby Spring Branch. They hatch in 30 to 40 days, depending on the water temperature.

The brown trout used for spawning are captured wild from French Creek in Allamakee County. They are held at the hatchery, across two spawning cycles. That guarantees wild, brown trout fingerlings going back into northeast Iowa streams to grow up that way.

There is natural reproduction of brown trout in northeast Iowa’s coldwater streams. However, it does not meet the demand from trout anglers who fan out across 50 or so streams through the year.  Besides brown trout, about 100,000 brook trout…and 400,000 rainbow trout are stocked each year.

The brooks are also from wild stock; out of South Pine Creek in Winneshiek County. The rainbow trout are from two hatchery developed strains. Those two species are reared for over a year—until they are 10-to 12-inch, half pound keeper-sized fish. They tend to be more ‘angler friendly’ in the streams as about 40,000 of us pursue them—primarily from April through October.

As they grow, they go outside to larger raceways at Manchester or are trucked to rearing stations near Decorah and Elkader. As they hit stocking size, crews from all three facilities stock them in nearby streams.

The brooks and rainbows are also stocked at nearly 20 urban locations through the cold weather months.

Iowa Fish Species – Trout Family

Trout are cold water game fish; therefore, their distribution in Iowa is limited to the cool streams of nine northeastern counties, but catchable-sized fish are stocked in several locations across the state during colder months. They are slender with a body covering of tiny scales, a hooked lower jaw, and an adipose fin behind the dorsal fin.

For more information about trout, visit the DNR website.

Brook Trout

The brook trout is the only trout species native to Iowa. They originally were abundant in northeast Iowa’s spring fed streams, but now natural reproduction is limited. Hatchery-reared fish are stocked to provide additional fishing opportunities.

Brook trout are small, averaging less than a pound. They are distinguished from other trout by vivid white lines on the front edge of the lower fins and light worm-like mottling on the back. Male “brookies” may develop a deep red-crimson yellow color on the belly and numerous red and pale yellow spots (possibly surrounded by blue circles) along the sides during the fall spawning season.

Individuals live in confined areas, often spending their lives in a single pool-riffle. They require clean, cold water and often are found near springs. They eat aquatic insects and readily strike worms, minnows, or small lures.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbows are most easily separated from other trout by the bright pink-red horizontal stripe along the side of the body. They are olive to greenish blue over most of the upper body and silvery-white along the belly. The sides, back, and dorsal and tail fins are covered with small black spots. Rainbows often are in open-water areas of streams eating aquatic insects and other small invertebrates.

 

Rainbow trout were first stocked in Iowa waters over one hundred years ago and current populations are completely dependent on stocking. Most fish caught in Iowa streams weigh less than one pound. Rainbows can be caught with a variety of small flies, lures, and baits.

Brown Trout

As its name implies, it is generally brown, shading to green or yellow. It has spots on the sides, but they are much larger than those found on the rainbow and often are bordered by a light-colored “halo.”  The brown trout is secretive, heading for cover at the first sign of movement along the bank.

Some natural reproduction occurs in Iowa, but it is limited by poor water quality caused by extensive soil erosion in the watershed, winter flooding, and stream bank erosion. The female digs a redd (saucer-shaped nest) in late fall. After spawning, she covers the eggs with gravel and they incubate through the winter. The eggs hatch during late winter and fry emerge during the first warm days of spring.

 

Brown trout eat largely insects, worms, and small crayfish. They often eat at night when aquatic insects are hatching. They are a challenge for any angler, but can be caught with a variety of flies, as well as streamers. Other lures (e.g., small plugs, spoons, and spinners) and baits (e.g., nightcrawlers, minnows, or crayfish) also may work.

Iowa Fish Species – Perch Family

Three of Iowa’s popular game fish belong to the perch family. It also contains many other smaller members known as darters. Members of this family have rather slender, elongate bodies and a large bone on the gill cover that ends in a flat spine. The spiny and soft portions of the dorsal fin are completely separated. Larger family members feed mostly on fish, while smaller members eat small aquatic insects and crustaceans.

For more information about perch, visit the DNR website.

Yellow Perch

The yellow perch has a dark back with sides that are bright yellow to brassy green with seven dark, vertical bars. The lower fins are often tinged red-orange. It ranges from six to ten inches long and eats small aquatic insects, crustaceans, and fish. The perch is essentially a lake fish; it’s most abundant in the natural lakes. (It is common in some locations in the Mississippi.)

 

Perch move into shallows and deposit long, ribbon-like masses of eggs over sandbars, submerged vegetation, or brush in early spring. Young perch remain in schools near weed beds and are important food for other game fish and fish-eating birds. Larger perch move to deeper, cooler waters where they also form schools. Perch can be caught with a variety of natural baits with light tackle.

Walleye

This is the largest member of the perch family, attaining weights over 20 pounds. (Most are much smaller.) It is a brassy olive buff above with a white belly. The tail fin has a white tip on the lower half. It has large, glossy whitish eyes and very sharp teeth.

Schools of walleye are found in natural lakes and larger rivers as well as larger constructed lakes. Shortly after ice-out, they move into shallow areas with gravel or rubble bottoms and some current to spawn. Adults return to deeper water after spawning where they feed mostly on fish near the bottom.

Walleye will take slowly trolled lures or rigged nightcrawlers. Casting minnows or small jigs with plastic tails also work effectively.

Sauger

Sauger are very similar in appearance to walleye, but are smaller (most caught are less than 15 inches long). Three or four dark “saddles” mark their back and extend onto the sides. The bottom of the tail fin does not have a white tip.

Sauger distribution in Iowa is limited to the border rivers and the lower reaches of their tributaries. Although more likely to be found in turbid waters than walleye, their choice of habitat and their habits are similar.

Classroom Connections

Try these fun ideas to help your students learn more about identifying Iowa fish species.

• Identification Relay: Have small groups of students start in designated place in your classroom marked by a cone. In the middle of the room, place Iowa fish name cards and pictures. When told to start, one person from each group runs to the cards. They must select a picture and it’s matching name card and bring it back to the group at their designated place. The group decides if it is a match. If it is the next person goes to the middle to attempt to bring back another match. This continues until a group has correctly matched all name and picture cards.
• Fitness Fish:  Appoint an activity to each Iowa fish picture (ex. Brown trout=10 pushups, rainbow trout=10 crunches, brook trout=10 lunges).  List these on the whiteboard. The students will be in groups with a cone marking their starting line. On the start command, one person from the group runs to the middle where the pictures are located face down, picks one, and then returns to group with card. The group must then perform the activity associated with the species of fish. 

Paddlefish Fishing Returns To Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers In 2015

Paddlefish fishing will return to the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers for the first time since 1986, when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources opens the season on March 1.

The paddlefish season had been closed on Missouri River in 1986 due to concerns that habitat loss, altered hydrology and migration barriers created by reservoirs could jeopardize the population. In 1979, the Iowa Geological Survey Bureau reported that 61,642 acres of habitat between Sioux City and Hamburg was lost when the river was channelized.

Paddlefish are one species that have demonstrated resilience to changes in the river. Catch rates from netting surveys mirror results from other large Midwestern rivers. Unfortunately, usable population estimates from mark and recovery studies have eluded biologists. But that could change with help from anglers.

“This new season could provide us with enough angler collected data of recaptured tagged fish to provide us with a population estimate that we would have some level of confidence in. We encourage anglers to report any tagged fish they catch,” said Van Sterner, fisheries biologist for the Missouri River with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The tag is a small aluminum band around the fish’s lower jaw. Each tag has a unique identification number, tagging agency information and a phone number.

To participate, anglers will need a special Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish license – limited to 950 resident and 50 nonresident – that are on sale only from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31. A resident license sells for $22 and nonresident for $42. Anglers must also have a valid Iowa fishing license.

The Missouri and Big Sioux paddlefish season is March 1 to April 15. Those season dates were selected to coincide with the increasing discharge from the upstream federal reservoirs and when the fish are in their prespawn migratory pattern. Catch rates from netting surveys are highest during the spring rising discharge.

Snagging paddlefish on the Missouri River is different than other rivers where paddlefish will concentrate in tail water areas.

“These fish are extremely migratory, traveling hundreds of miles. They will try to get out of the current when they can so areas behind wing dykes with slow moving, deep water will be places to target,” Sterner said. “They don’t associate with the bottom like catfish, but will be suspended so watch the electronics and if they are there, you should see them.”

The flood of 2011 created scour holes in the river that have been popular with paddlefish and for anglers who can find them.

The Missouri River is a fast flowing river so anglers should be prepared to use heavy weights – from one ounce on up to 4-4-1/2 ounces, a medium-heavy to heavy rod at least six feet long and braided line of at least 50 pound test strength. Treble hooks can be no larger than 5/0 or measuring more than 1-1/4 inches in length when two hook points are placed on a ruler.  It would also be wise to wear a lifejacket while on the water.

The state record 107 pound paddlefish was caught in the Missouri River in Monona County in 1981. Paddlefish is an ancient species. It doesn’t have any bones and eats by straining zooplankton from the water. It reaches maturity at 6 or 7 years of age and can live for 30 years or more.

The slot limit requiring the release of all 35-45 inch fish protects the primary breeding stock. Most of the fish harvested will probably below the slot limit. The firm white flesh of the paddlefish is excellent table fare as long as the red meat near the skin is trimmed off.

The paddlefish license is required for the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers, but not for the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers.

MEDIA CONTACT: Van Sterner, Fisheries Management Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-249-1997.

Iowa Fish Species – Catfish Family

Catfish are the most widely distributed and abundant sport fish in Iowa waters. Ten species of catfish are found in Iowa. Channel catfish and flatheads make up an important part of the commercial fishery catch in the Mississippi River, and are one of the most popular game fish.

They have no scales and eight fleshy barbels (“whiskers”) surround the mouth. They also have an adipose (fat) fin behind the dorsal (back) fin.

Most catfish are opportunistic bottom feeders that eat all types of living or dead animal and plant material. They depend heavily on their senses of smell and taste to locate food. The characteristic barbels are highly sensitive to touch and contain taste buds as well. As a matter of fact, catfish have taste receptors all over their bodies.

For more information about catfish, visit the DNR website.

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish are common to abundant in most Iowa rivers and have been stocked into nearly all lakes and reservoirs as well as many farm ponds. They have a deeply forked tail fin and dark spots on the body that distinguish them from other species. (The only other catfish with a forked tail is the much less common blue catfish.) They spawn in the late spring and summer in secluded, often enclosed, places along the bank or bottom. The male guards the eggs until they hatch.

Channel catfish eat at all times, but are most aggressive at night. The best times to fish for them are early morning, late evening, or at night. They are caught with nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or prepared baits on a treble hook fished on the bottom. Deep holes or tail waters of dams are favored channel cat habitat.

Bullheads

There are three types of bullheads found in Iowa waters, but black bullheads are, by far, the most common. Bullheads are much smaller than channel catfish (very rarely exceeding one to two pounds) and have rounded or square, rather than forked, tail fins. Bullheads usually are found in shallow, quiet, weedy waters. They grow rapidly and it is not unusual for them to overpopulate an area and become stunted.

They fan out saucer-shaped nests and both parents guard the eggs. The fry are herded about in tight schools by the parents for a while. Like the channel catfish, bullheads can be taken using worms or prepared baits on a treble hook fished on the bottom. They are more active after waters have warmed to at least 60 ^oF.

Flathead Catfish

The flathead, one of the largest catfish, commonly reaches twenty pounds. It has a flattened head and mottled brown color. It is found mainly in the border rivers and large interior rivers in Iowa.

Flatheads spawn in secluded hides during June and July. They build nests and guard the eggs and young. They usually are in deep pools with mud bottoms. Although they are more important as a commercial species, flatheads can be caught with large live baits fished on the bottom. They feed mostly at night.

Classroom Connections

Try these fun ideas to help your students learn more about identifying Iowa fish species.

• Ask small groups of students to brainstorm as many species of fish that can be found in an Iowa aquatic habitat as they can. After 3-4 minutes, ask each group to share one of the species they discussed.  
• Provide pictures of each fish species found in Iowa waters on a card along with the name card for each species.  Have your students (working in small groups) match the name card to the picture card. 

Tips for Cold-weather Trout Fishing

If you want to fish this winter in Iowa without stepping out on the ice, check out northeast Iowa’s trout streams, which rarely freeze and are open for fishing year-round. Or if you’re not able to make the trip, a number of urban lakes statewide are stocked with trout for a new fishing experience through the ice.

If you’re angling for trout this winter, here are some tips:

Trout streams
Go small for winter stream trout.
Small jigs, midges and wooly buggers - black in color - work great, along with small black spinners and raps that imitate minnows.

Go wild.
Many northeast Iowa streams offer plenty of wild brown trout, along with the holdover stocked fish throughout the winter into spring.

Take it slow.
Fish still need to feed in the winter, but they aren’t as active and won’t travel as fast or as far to strike. That means presentation is key during winter - move, cast and retrieve, being precise, slow and easy. If using an indicator, downsize that as well.

Urban trout
Freeze it up.
Unlike trout streams, winter fishing for trout in stocked urban ponds is done through the ice. Typical ice fishing equipment should be used, and bait your hooks , ice jigs, etc., with waxworms and don’t forget jigging spoons.

Get flashy.
Try jigging spoons, small black spinners and raps that imitate minnows. Add some flash to your presentation.

Fish keep close to home.
Fish close to the stocking area early on. As the fish become accustomed to their new home, they begin to spread out. Fish close to the surface, as that’s where trout are used to feeding.


Learn more about Iowa’s trout streams, including maps and stocking schedules.

Iowa Fish Species

The next couple of weeks we will feature Iowa fish families and species. We begin with the sunfish family. For more information about sunfish, visit the DNR website.

Twelve species of sunfishes inhabit Iowa waters. Because of their diverse habits, sunfishes of one kind or another are found in every part of the state. All sunfishes have at least one spine at the front part of the dorsal fin, which is never completely separated from the rear portion. Their bodies are deeply compressed laterally with pelvic fins nearly beneath the pectoral fins. Members of the sunfish family are popular sport fish.

Largemouth bass

This fish has a very large mouth that, when closed, extends past at the eye. The spiny and soft portions of the dorsal fin are almost separated and the slender body is shaded green with a continuous dark stripe along the side. The belly is light green to white. Largemouth bass reach lengths up to 16 inches in their third year of life.

The largemouth is found statewide in weedy lakes, ponds, and quiet rivers. It seldom is found deeper than 20 feet, preferring warmer water. The largemouth usually deposits its eggs on roots of submerged plants or grass over rocky or mud bottoms in water one and one-half to three feet deep. The male usually builds a nest prior to spawning.

Largemouth eat mainly fish, crayfish, and large insects but will eat most any animal in the water that it can swallow. It is active at night.

Bluegill

Bluegill is the most abundant and widespread member of the sunfish family in Iowa. It is found in nearly all waters of the state but is far more abundant in lakes and ponds than is streams and rivers. It has a dark back, yellow or reddish-orange belly, vertical bars along the sides, and a bright blue chin and gill covers. Like other sunfish that live in still waters, bluegill usually are located near weed beds where they can find both food and hiding areas.

White bass

This fish has a deep body that is flattened side to side, two dorsal fins, spines in the anal and dorsal fins, and a spine on the gill cover. The body is blue-gray on the back and silver on the sides. The dorsal, anal, and tail fins are slate gray. The eyes are yellow. The sides have dark stripes, but they may be hard to see. The first stripe below the lateral line (sensory organ on the side of the fish) is not continuous; it has spaces between the dark sections. Teeth are present on the back of the tongue.

 

White bass live in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, preferring those with a sand or rock bottom. It lives in schools that hunt together. It feeds near the surface in the early morning and late evening, eating fish and insects. Small fish sometimes may be seen jumping out of the water to avoid being eaten by this predator. White bass seldom lives longer than four years.

Black crappie

The black crappie is a deep-bodied fish, flattened side to side. Its back is arched in front of the dorsal fin and dips over the eye giving it a “hump-backed”appearance. It has a green back, silver or white sides with black or green speckles, and a silver or white belly. The anal fin is nearly as long as the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin has seven or eight spines, differing from that of the white crappie that has six. The dorsal, tail, and anal fins are heavily pigmented with black.

 

The black crappie lives in creeks, rivers, lakes, and ponds. It prefers clear water with little or no current and many hiding places like submerged logs and plants. It eats insects, small fish, and crustaceans. It moves in groups around submerged objects and may be found at depths of 15 feet or more but moves to shallow water to spawn.

Classroom Connections
Try these fun ideas to help your students learn more about the general characteristics of Iowa fish species.

• Ask students to describe a fish. Compare fish characteristics to human characteristics. Do you think these sense functions the same way for humans?
• Have students compile a list of fish species common to your area.
• Create a class fish identification booklet - include general characteristics, habitat, where found in Iowa, foods, etc.