Detailed illustration of a bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), a freshwater fish commonly found in Indiana lakes and rivers. The fish has a deep, laterally compressed body with a dark olive-green back, lighter sides with vertical bars, and a distinctive dark ear flap. Bluegill are popular among anglers for their aggressive feeding behavior and are often caught using live bait or small lures.
5 to 9 vertical bars on sides, black opercular flap (ear) with no margin, dark spot at rear of dorsal fin.
Redear
Detailed illustration of a redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), a freshwater fish commonly found in Indiana lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. This species features a deep, laterally compressed body with an olive-green back, yellowish belly, and a distinctive red or orange margin on its gill cover (operculum). Redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, are popular among anglers for their diet of mollusks and their preference for deep waters.
Opercular flap (ear) is tipped with red or orange margin.
Black Crappie
Detailed illustration of a black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), a popular freshwater fish found in Indiana lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers. It has a deep, laterally compressed body with dark, irregular blotches across its silvery-green scales. Black crappie are known for their preference for clear, vegetated waters and are highly sought after by anglers for their tasty, flaky white meat.
7 to 8 dorsal spines, random blotches on sides.
White Crappie
Detailed illustration of a white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), a freshwater fish commonly found in Indiana lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers. It has a silvery body with distinct vertical bars and a more elongated shape compared to the black crappie. White crappie prefer murkier waters and are a favorite among anglers for their mild, flaky meat and abundance in Indiana fisheries.
6 dorsal spines, black side markings form vertical bars rather than random spots.
Black Bass
Largemouth Bass
Detailed illustration of a largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), a popular freshwater sport fish found in Indiana lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. It has a greenish body with a dark horizontal stripe along its side and a large mouth that extends past its eye. Largemouth bass are known for their aggressive strikes and are a favorite among anglers for catch-and-release fishing and tournament competitions.
Upper jaw extends beyond back of eye.
Smallmouth Bass
Detailed illustration of a smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), a popular freshwater game fish found in Indiana rivers, streams, and lakes. It has a bronze to brownish-green body with vertical bars and a smaller mouth that does not extend past its eye. Smallmouth bass are known for their strong fights and acrobatic jumps, making them a favorite among sport anglers.
Upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye.
Spotted Bass
Detailed illustration of a spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), a freshwater game fish commonly found in Indiana rivers, reservoirs, and streams. It has a greenish body with a dark lateral stripe and rows of small black spots along its lower sides. The spotted bass is often mistaken for largemouth bass but has a smaller mouth and a more streamlined body. Known for its strong fights and aggressive feeding behavior, it is a favorite among anglers.
Red eye, horizontal lines of dark spots on lower sides, upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye.
True Bass
Hybrid Striped
Detailed illustration of a hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops), a popular sport fish found in Indiana lakes and reservoirs. It has a deep, silver body with broken horizontal stripes along its sides, distinguishing it from pure striped bass. Hybrid striped bass are known for their strong fights and fast growth, making them a favorite among anglers targeting hard-fighting freshwater fish.
Two tooth patches on back of tongue are joined, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line usually broken.
White Bass
Detailed illustration of a white bass (Morone chrysops), a schooling freshwater fish commonly found in Indiana lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. It has a silvery body with dark horizontal stripes and a deep, laterally compressed shape. White bass are known for their aggressive feeding habits and are a favorite among anglers for their fast action and strong fights.
Single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.
Striped Bass
Detailed illustration of a striped bass (Morone saxatilis), a highly sought-after freshwater game fish found in Indiana lakes and rivers. It has a silvery body with distinct, continuous horizontal stripes running from head to tail. Striped bass are known for their powerful fights and large size, making them a favorite among anglers targeting trophy fish.
Tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.
Catfish
Blue Catfish
Detailed illustration of a blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), a large freshwater fish commonly found in Indiana rivers and reservoirs. It has a bluish-silver body, a deeply forked tail, and a smooth, scaleless surface. Blue catfish are known for their whisker-like barbels around the mouth and their ability to grow to massive sizes, making them a favorite target for anglers seeking trophy catfish.
30 to 35 anal fin rays, anal fin margin is straight, caudal fin is deeply forked.
Channel Catfish
Detailed illustration of a channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), a common freshwater fish found in Indiana rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. It has a slender body with a bluish-gray back, a forked tail, and scattered black spots along its sides. Channel catfish are known for their whisker-like barbels around the mouth and are a favorite among anglers for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table quality.
24 to 29 rays in rounded anal fin, caudal fin is deeply forked, dark spots on sides when young.
Flathead Catfish
Detailed illustration of a flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), a large freshwater fish found in Indiana rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. It has a broad, flat head, a mottled brown body, and a squared-off tail. Unlike other catfish species, flathead catfish prefer live prey and grow to massive sizes, making them a prized catch among anglers targeting trophy catfish.
14 to 17 anal fin rays, caudal fin slightly rounded or slightly notched.
Perch
Yellow Perch
Detailed illustration of a yellow perch (Perca flavescens), a popular freshwater fish found in Indiana lakes and rivers. It has a golden-yellow body with dark vertical bars and orange-tinted fins. Yellow perch are known for their mild, flaky meat and are a favorite among anglers for their abundant populations and excellent table quality.
Green back, yellow-green sides marked by 6 to 8 darker vertical bars, white belly, pale orange fins.
Sauger
Detailed illustration of a sauger (Sander canadensis), a freshwater fish commonly found in Indiana rivers and reservoirs. It has a slender, elongated body with a dark mottled pattern, spiny dorsal fin, and distinct black spots on its fins. Sauger are known for their preference for fast-moving waters and are a favorite among anglers for their strong fights and excellent table quality.
3 or 4 saddle shaped blotches on back and sides, spotted dorsal fin.
Walleye
Detailed illustration of a walleye (Sander vitreus), a highly prized freshwater game fish found in Indiana lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. It has a slender, golden-brown body with a white belly, large glassy eyes, and a spiny dorsal fin. Walleye are known for their excellent vision in low-light conditions, making them a favorite among anglers for night fishing and their delicious, flaky meat.
No spots on dorsal fin, dusky spot at rear of spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.
Salmon
Chinook Salmon or King Salmon
Detailed illustration of a Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), a powerful freshwater and migratory fish found in Indiana’s Lake Michigan and its tributaries. It has a silver body with a greenish-blue back, black spots on the dorsal fin and tail, and a hooked jaw in mature males. Chinook salmon are known for their large size, strong fighting ability, and high-quality meat, making them a favorite among anglers.
Teeth are set in dark gums, black spots on back and both lobes of square caudal fin, 15 to 17 anal fin rays.
Coho Salmon
Detailed illustration of a Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), a migratory fish found in Indiana’s Lake Michigan and its tributaries. It has a silvery body with a bluish-green back, black spots on the upper body and tail, and a slightly hooked jaw in mature males. Coho salmon are known for their acrobatic fights, fast growth, and excellent table quality, making them a popular target for anglers.
Teeth are set in light color gums, black spots on upper lobe of slightly forked caudal fin, 12 to 15 anal fin rays.
Trout
Brown Trout
Detailed illustration of a brown trout (Salmo trutta), a popular freshwater game fish found in Indiana’s lakes, rivers, and Lake Michigan tributaries. It has a golden-brown body with black and red spots surrounded by light halos. Brown trout are known for their wariness, strong fights, and adaptability to both cold and warm waters, making them a prized catch among anglers.
White mouth, teeth and gums; caudal fin margin square with no spots on upper or lower lobe; stream dwelling browns possess some orange/red spots on sides; resident brown trout in Lake Michigan possess black X-shaped markings on sides.
Rainbow Trout or Steelhead
Detailed illustration of a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a highly sought-after freshwater fish found in Indiana’s lakes, rivers, and Lake Michigan tributaries. It has a silvery body with a pinkish-red lateral stripe, black spots on its back and fins, and a streamlined shape. Rainbow trout are known for their strong fights, acrobatic jumps, and excellent table quality, making them a favorite among anglers.
White mouth, teeth and gums; small black spots on back, sides, caudal and dorsal fins, caudal fin margin is square; 9 to 12 anal fin rays.
Lake Trout
Detailed illustration of a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a cold-water fish species found in Indiana’s Lake Michigan and deep inland lakes. It has a dark gray to greenish body with light-colored spots, a deeply forked tail, and a long, streamlined shape. Lake trout are known for their deep-water habitat, slow growth, and strong fights, making them a prized catch among anglers.
White mouth, teeth and gums; caudal fin deeply forked, body color light to dark gray with light spots.
Northern Pike & Muskellunge
Northern Pike
Detailed illustration of a northern pike (Esox lucius), a predatory freshwater fish found in Indiana lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. It has a long, torpedo-shaped body with an olive-green coloration, light oval spots, and a pointed snout filled with sharp teeth. Northern pike are known for their aggressive strikes, fast growth, and powerful fights, making them a favorite among anglers.
Elongated body and head with tooth-filled mouth shaped like a duck bill; white belly with green to yellow sides featuring rows of lighter horizontal spots or streaks. Coloration can vary depending on habitat — light green from lake to dark green from river.
Muskellunge
Detailed illustration of a muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), a large predatory freshwater fish found in Indiana lakes and rivers. It has a long, torpedo-shaped body with light vertical markings on a greenish-brown background, a pointed snout, and sharp teeth. Muskellunge, or muskie, are known for their elusive nature, aggressive strikes, and trophy sizes, making them a prized catch among anglers.
Elongated body and head with tooth-filled mouth shaped like a duck bill; coloration varies but typically dark vertical bar markings on green or brown background.
Need help identifying a fish species? The Indiana DNR Fish Identification Form allows anglers to get expert assistance.
