Freshwater Fish Identification
Fish identification pictures: Duane Raver or © Joseph Tomelleri
Largemouth Bass
- Upper jaw extends beyond eye
- Spiny and soft dorsal fin separate or nearly so
- Tongue normally smooth, tooth patch rare
Smallmouth Bass
- Upper jaw extends to about middle of eye
- Usually has vertical stripes along body
- 3 short spines on anal fin
Spotted Bass
- Upper jaw not past rear of eye
- Spiny and soft dorsal fin clearly connected
- Tooth patch on tongue
Shoal Bass
- Found in Chattahoochee, Flint, and Ocmulgee Rivers
- Vertical bars on fish of all sizes
- No tooth patch on tongue
- Dark spot at base of tail
- Light golden color
Redeye Bass
- Small tooth patch found on tongue
- Sides olive to brown in coloring; dark vertical bars; prominent dark spot on the gill cover
- White margin on tail
White Bass
- Seldom exceeds 3 pounds
- Tongue with one tooth patch
- Stripes often faint
- 2nd anal spine 1/2 length of 3rd anal spine
Hybrid White-Striped Bass
- Back arched, body deep
- Stripes distinct and usually broken
- Tongue with two tooth patches
- 2nd anal spine 2⁄3 or more the length of 3rd anal spine
Striped Bass
- Body slender
- Stripes distinct, occasionally broken
- Tongue with two tooth patches
- 2nd anal spine ½ or less the length of 3rd anal spine
Channel Catfish
- Numerous small, black spots present
- Deeply forked tail fin
- State Record 44 lb. 12 oz.
Flathead Catfish
- Head wide and flat
- Body dark in color
- Tail not forked
Walleye
- Sharp teeth
- No spots on dorsal fin
- Dark area at base of dorsal fin
- White spot at bottom of tail
Black Crappie
- 7–8 dorsal spines
- Body color pattern irregular arranged spots
Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker)
- Red edge on operculum ear flap
- Spotted body
Redbreast Sunfish
- Long, dark ear flap
- Blue lines on head
- Ear flap (operculum) not wider than eye
Bluegill
- Black spot on soft dorsal fin
- Vertical bars on body
Rainbow Trout
- Small black dots throughout the body that extend into the tail
- Red stripe along side on silvery body
Gizzard Shad
- Mouth below end of snout
- Elongated dorsal fin ray
- Deep body
- Blunt snout
Brown Trout
- Black and red-orange spots inside light circles on brown body
- Caudal fin (tail) square
Brook Trout
- Light, wormlike markings on dark upper body
- White leading edge on lower fins (pectoral, pelvic and anal)
Chain Pickerel (Jackfish)
- Elongated body with chain-like markings
- Sharp needle-like teeth
American Shad
- Bluish or green above with a silvery side
- Deeply forked tail
Threadfin Shad
- Mouth at end of snout
- Elongated dorsal fin ray
- Pointed snout
- Yellow tail fin
