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Fish Identification

Walleye & Sauger

You need to know the difference between Walleye and Sauger due to differences in length limits.

Walleye have a white tip on the lower tail fin; do not have distinct blotches or mottling on the sides; forward (spiny) portion of the dorsal fin has dark streaks or blotches instead of distinct black spots.

Walleye

Hand holding a walleye fish above a lake, showing the fish’s elongated body, spiny dorsal fin, and golden-olive coloring in natural light.
Angler holds a walleye over open water, highlighting the species’ distinctive spiny dorsal fin and golden coloring common in freshwater lakes.

Photo courtesy of Jim Negus, available at the Tennessee Fish website.


Sauger do not have a white tip on the lower tail fin; back is crossed with several darker saddles or blotches extending down on both sides; distinct black spots on the forward (spiny) portion of the dorsal fin are aligned in rows.

Sauger

Angler holding a sauger fish horizontally with both hands, showing its mottled body pattern, spiny dorsal fin, and elongated shape against a leafy green background.
Sauger (Sander canadensis) displaying its distinctive dark mottling and sharp dorsal fin, commonly found in Iowa rivers and reservoirs.

Photo courtesy of Jim Negus, available at the Tennessee Fish website.

Iowa’s Pike Family

Lakes and streams may contain Muskellunge and Northern Pike. It is important to know the difference among members of the pike family to obey appropriate size, catch and possession limits.

Northern Pike

Angler holding a northern pike fish with blue gloves over a boat, showing its long body, light spots, and pointed head, with an inset diagram highlighting pike pores per side.
Northern pike (Esox lucius) with identifying features including light body spots and a diagram showing up to five sensory pores per side for species identification.

Normally a bluish-green to gray on the back with irregular rows of light-colored horizontal bean-shaped spots on the sides. There are five or fewer pores on each side of the lower jaw. The entire cheek and upper half of the gill cover is scaled.

Muskellunge

Angler holding a muskellunge fish with a long body and dark vertical markings, with an inset diagram showing muskellunge having six to eight sensory pores per side.
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) identified by its elongated body and vertical markings, with a diagram highlighting six to eight pores per side for accurate identification.

Usually are olive to dark gray with tiger-like vertical markings on the side. They have 6 to 8 pores on each side of the lower jaw. Only the upper half of both the cheek and gill cover is scaled.

Trout

Rainbow Trout

Angler holding a rainbow trout over shallow rocky water, showing its silver body, pink lateral stripe, and black spots across the body and tail.
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) displaying its signature pink stripe and spotted pattern, a popular freshwater species found in Iowa streams and stocked waters.

Olive to greenish-blue above and silvery below with a prominent horizontal red band on the side. There are many small, dark spots on the body, dorsal fin and tail.

Brown Trout

Angler holding a brown trout with golden-brown coloring, black and red spots, and a streamlined body over a grassy background.
Brown trout (Salmo trutta) featuring golden tones and distinct red and black spots, a popular sport fish found in Iowa’s coldwater streams.

Olive to greenish-brown. The large black and reddish-orange spots on the sides of the fish have a pale border. The lower portions of the fish are yellow, fading to gray or white beneath. Browns have few or no spots on the tail fin.

Brook Trout

Angler holding a brook trout with dark green marbled pattern, light spots, and orange fins with white edges over a grassy background.
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) showing its distinctive marbled pattern and vibrant orange fins with white edges, found in cold, clear Iowa streams.

Vivid white markings on the front edges of the lower fins. They also have light “wormlike” markings on the back. General color: olive to gray-green.

Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon

Angler holding a lake sturgeon horizontally over open water, showing its long, armored body, pointed snout, and whisker-like barbels near the mouth.
Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) featuring an elongated body, bony scutes, and barbels used to detect food, a rare and protected species in Midwest waterways.

Endangered: If caught, release immediately, unharmed.

  • Short snout turns up at end
  • Barbels are not fringed

Pallid Sturgeon

Angler wearing a red jacket holding a pallid sturgeon horizontally, showing its pale body, long pointed snout, and barbels near the mouth along a muddy riverbank.
Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) with a light-colored body and elongated snout, a federally endangered species found in large river systems.

Endangered: If caught, release immediately, unharmed.

  • Outer barbels twice as long as inner barbels
  • Base of barbels “U” shaped, inner two set out in front
  • Smooth belly

Shovelnose Sturgeon

Angler holding a shovelnose sturgeon with a slender body, pointed snout, and barbels, wearing gloves against a clear blue sky background.
Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) identified by its narrow body, long snout, and barbels, commonly found in large river systems across the Midwest.

Sturgeon images are courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

  • Barbels all the same length
  • Barbels straight across
  • Rarely exceeds 4 pounds
  • Belly is scaled
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