Under Construction…
Name: Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Size range: up to 40 inches (some state records of 46.5 inches)
World Record (All Line Classes): 26.3 kg (58 lb 0 oz)
Temperature Class: Warmwater
Optimum Temperature Range: 29-30.5 °C, 84-87 °F
Final Temperature Preferendum 27.3 °C, 81 °F
Spawning Temperature Range: 21-29 °C, 70-84 °F
Spawning Time: spring to early summer
Spawning Location: nests in river banks
Habitat: rivers, lakes
Common Techniques Used: A variety of live and prepared baits, minnows, worms, crayfish, cut baits, prepared stink baits, shrimp, chicken livers, hot dogs etc.
Notes: In colder water (e.g. this early spring water was 56 °F) fish will hold in deeper, slow water areas. As it warms then they may feed more in current.
Name: Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Size range: 24-36 inches
World Record (All Line Classes): 32.65 kg, 72 lb 0 oz
Temperature Class: Coldwater
Optimum Temperature Range: 4-18 °C, 39-64 °F
Final Temperature Preferendum 11.8 °C, 53 °F
Spawning Temperature Range: 4.5-14°C, 40-57 °F
Spawning Time:
Spawning Location:
Habitat:
Common Techniques Used:
Notes:
Name: Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Size range: inches
World Record (All Line Classes): 10.12 kg, 22lb 4 oz.
Temperature Class: Warmwater
Optimum Temperature Range: 25-32°C, 77-90°F
Final Temperature Preferendum °C, °F
Spawning Temperature Range: 15-21°C, 60-70°F, peak 17.8-20°C, 64-68°F
Spawning Location: Beds, sand or gravel preferred,
Habitat:
Common Techniques Used:
Notes:
Name: Northern Pike (Esox luciuss)
Synonyms: Pike, Jackfish, Gator
Size range: 70–120 cm (28–47″ average – up to 59″)
World Record (All Line Classes):
Temperature Class: Coolwater
Optimum Temperature Range: 24-26 °C, 75-79 °F
Final Temperature Preferendum 20.7 °C, 69 °F
Spawning Temperature Range: 11 °C, 52 °F (upper limit)
Spawning Time: Spring
Spawning Location: Weedy locations, warm bays
Habitat: lakes, river, smaller fish prefer cover, larger specimens may roam larger areas and go to greater depths
Common Techniques Used: Live and dead minnows, spoons, body baits, spinnerbaits
Notes: Top predator, territorial fish, spawning generally starts when water reaches 9 ° (48 °F), sight and lateral line very important for pike.
Name: Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Size range: inches
World Record (All Line Classes): kg, 11 lb 15 oz
Temperature Class: Coolwater
Optimum Temperature Range: °C, °F
Final Temperature Preferendum °C, °F
Spawning Temperature Range: °C, 55-70°F
Spawning Location:
Habitat:
Common Techniques Used:
Notes: Much more migratory then largemouth.
Name: Walleye
Size range: up to 31 inches
World Record (All Line Classes): 11.34 kg, 25 lb 0 oz
Temperature Class: Coolwater
Optimum Temperature Range: 21.2-23 °C, 72-73 °F
Final Temperature Preferendum 22.5 °C, 73 °F
Spawning Temperature Range: 10 °C (lower), 50 °F (lower)
Spawning Time: Spring
Spawning Location: rivers and streams over gravel and rock, some at open water reef and shoals
Common Techniques Used: Worms, live minnows, leeches, small jigs, trolling with body baits
Notes: Walleye have excellent night vision, excellent table fare.
Name: Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Size range: 4-10 inches
World Record (All Line Classes): 18 in, 4 lbs. 3 oz.
Temperature Class: Coolwater
Optimum Temperature Range: 17.6-25.4 °C, 64-78 °F
Final Temperature Preferendum 17.6 °C, 64 °F
Spawning Temperature Range: 9.1 °C (lower)
Spawning Time: Spring
Spawning Location: Weeds, submerged trees, structure
Habitat:
Common Techniques Used: Worms, live and dead minnows, crickets, small jigs, a variety of small lures
Notes: They are an important source of food for many species including walleye, bass, pike, muskellunge and lake trout. Excellent table fare.