The Pacific Northwest's National Forests provide habitat for a variety of Warmwater (both game and non-game) fish. These fish include Sculpins, Minnows, Darters, Bass, Walleye, Crappie and Bluegill. In the past, various warmwater species were called "spiny-rays" because most of them have rigid fin rays (spines). Salmon, trout, char and whitefish have only soft rays. Fisheries managers today prefer the term "warmwater" game fish for the so-called spiny-rays, and "coldwater" game fish for salmon, trout, char and whitefish. Becoming acquainted with identification and habits of these fish will open new fields of interest and opportunity for anglers.

Walleye
(Stizostedion vitreum)

Average size: 1-5 lbs, up to 20 lbs
Spring spawner

The body shape of the Walleye is similar to its smaller cousin, the Yellow Perch. There can be no mistaking the two, though. In addition to its larger size, the walleye lacks the dark vertical bars of the perch. Coloration is variable, but generally a dark olive green on the top and sides, blending into a lighter, sometimes pinkish, sometimes white, belly. The sides, particularly above the lateral line, show an irregular pattern of small, dark blotches. One of the first identification marks when landing a walleye is the white tip on the lower lobe of the tail. And the eyes have an almost opaque, "moonish" look.

Walleyes begin spawning when water temperatures reach 45F. Also like the perch, fecundity is high, with as many as 50,000 eggs produced per pound of body weight. Walleyes are ravenous feeders. Because their large eyes are adapted to finding prey in low light, they are not often found near the surface except at night or in turbid water.

Largemouth Bass
(Micropterus salmoides)

Other Names: bigmouth, bucketmouth, black bass, green bass and linesides
Average size: 3-10 lbs, up to 20 lbs
Spring spawner

The mouth size provides one way of distinguishing the largemouth; its maxillary (upper jaw joint) extends back past the center of the eye, farther than any other freshwater bass. Other aids in identification include:

1. The dorsal fin is nearly divided into two parts
2. A dark stripe runs longitudinally the length of the body

Coloration is variable, but usually a darkish green on the back and sides, fading to an off-white on the belly. Water clarity and chemical composition, bottom color, and the depth from which fish are taken, can affect coloration. The lateral stripe may be hard to see on largemouth taken from highly turbid waters.

Largemouth bass spawn on sand and mud beaches when the water temperature approaches 62F. Most spawning is associated with shallow littoral areas (about 10 feet) which have aquatic vegetation. Juvenile largemouth bass remain near the nest for 5-7 days with the male guarding the young and the nest. Adult largemouth bass generally inhabit water less than 20 feet deep. They tend to reside in the protection of structure such as aquatic and shoreline vegetation, woody material, or rocky areas. Juvenile largemouth bass eat plankton, immature aquatic insects, and crayfish. Adult bass eat mostly fish and crayfish.

Smallmouth Bass
(Micropterus dolomieui)

Other Names: bronzeback, red-eye and brown bass
Average size: 1.5-3 lbs, up to 12 lbs
Spring spawner

The Smallmouth's upper jaw does not extend back past the center of the eye. Other identifying characteristics include:

1. The spinous and soft-rayed parts of the dorsal fin are not separated as much as in the largemouth
2. No longitudinal stripe; the appearance is often mottled with dark vertical bars

As with the largemouth, coloration is variable depending on environmental factors. Generally, the back and sides are a yellowish-brown (hence the name "bronzeback"), but sometimes very dark brown, almost black, shading to a lighter-colored or whitish belly.

Smallmouth Bass spawn on gravel and sandy beaches when the water temperature approaches 65F. Smallmouth bass have been observed on spawning nests in June. Most spawning appears to be associated with shallow littoral areas (about 10 feet) which have pea size gravel. Juvenile smallmouth bass remain near the nest for 5-7 days with the male guarding the young and the nest. After spawning, adult smallmouth bass retreat to deeper water. Juvenile smallmouth bass remain in the protection afforded by boulders, cobble, and talus slopes. Juvenile smallmouth bass eat plankton, immature aquatic insects and crayfish. Adults eat mostly crayfish and fish.

Yellow Perch
(Perca flavescens)

Other Names: ringed perch or striped perch
Average size: 4-11 oz, up to 2 lbs
Spring spawner

The Yellow Perch is easy to identify. Its round body is slender compared to the sunfishes, yellow or greenish in color, with six to eight dark vertical bars on the sides. The two relatively large dorsal fins are completely separated, and the anal fin has one or two spines.

Yellow Perch spawn even earlier than crappies, beginning when water temperatures reach 45 or 50F. Spawning is extended over only a short period, each female extruding all of her eggs at once. Reproductive potential (fecundity) is high, with as many as 15,000 eggs for a six-inch fish, and many times that for larger fish.

Black Crappie
(Pomoxis nigromaculatus)

Other Names: calico bass and papermouth
Average size: 8 oz-2 lbs, up to 4 lbs
Spring spawner

Crappies may be identified by their large rounded dorsal and anal fins, and their deep but narrow bodies giving a "pancake" appearance. Black crappies are the more plentiful of the two varieties. They have seven or eight dorsal spines and dark, irregularly-spaced blotches on the side. White crappies have five or six dorsal spines, and are usually shaded with dark vertical bars.

Crappies are the earliest spawners of the centrarchids, actively spawning when water temperatures approach 55F. Unlike bass, these fish are gregarious, and commonly found in schools during the spring. The schools break up somewhat after spawning, and fish are more likely to be scattered and in deeper water during the summer. Black crappies seem to be more dependent on vegetation, while white crappies do better in more turbid waters.

Bluegill
(Lepomis macrochirus)

Other Names: bluegill sunfish, bream, sun perch, blue perch, blue sunfish, copperbelly, red-breasted bream, copperhead bream, and blue bream
Average size: 12 oz-2 lbs, up to 2.5 lbs
Spring spawner

Bluegills have smaller mouths than either bass or crappies. They are deep of body like crappies, but fairly thick from side to side. These brightly-colored little fish may be told apart most easily by remembering that the bluegill has a blue-black spot on the margin of the gill cover. Males can be distinguished from females, especially during spawning time, by the brighter color of the male bluegill.

Bluegills characteristically inhabit vegetated, quiet or slow-moving waters. They spawn when water temperatures approach 70F, congregating in large groups on common spawning grounds in water six to 12 inches deep.

Channel Catfish
(Ictalurus punctatus)

Average size: 2-7 lbs, up to 35 lbs
Spring spawner

This catfish is distinctly different from the bullheads. It has a forked, rather than rounded, tail, a slate to silvery body color--usually spotted with tiny black specks--and a much more streamlined head and body. Channel cats also attain a much larger size, growing to over 30 pounds. Channel catfish also differ from the bullheads in habit and habitat. They spawn only in lakes, rivers and streams that can reach a temperature of 75F by late spring. Currently, naturally-reproducing populations are found only in the Snake, Columbia, lower Yakima (50 miles) and Walla Walla rivers.