How to Identify Oregon Freshwater Fish
Oregon is home to a large variety of freshwater fish species. The diverse terrain in Oregon means it is home to cold- and warm-water species as well as species that migrate from salt to freshwater for seasonal spawning. The diversity of species in Oregon can confuse the uneducated angler because special regulations apply to many of the individual species. You must be able to identify different species and know the applicable laws for each in order to legally catch fish.
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Instructions
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Use the free fishing booklet provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The book has an identification chart with pictures and rules for each species. Carry the book on each fishing trip to identify fish.
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Determine which species can survive in the environment in which you are fishing. Freshwater species can be divided into warm- and cold-water categories. Bass, carp and panfish all live in warm-water environments while trout, pike, salmon and steelhead thrive in cold water.
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Determine which fish may be present on a seasonal basis. Salmon and steelhead make seasonal spawning runs in bodies of fresh water that are connected to the ocean. If you are fishing in an isolated body of water, these species may be eliminated from the identification chart.
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Identify the species by the physical characteristics. The mouth on a carp, whitefish and suckerfish is small, round and angled downward. The mouth on a bass is round and large, and the mouth on a salmon, trout or steelhead is pointed. Pike have a long mouth with several rows of sharp teeth. Also note the color patterns and placement of fins on the body.
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Research the specific body of water that you will be fishing. Determine the species that are common in the water and study the pictures in the fishing booklet before going fishing.
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Tips & Warnings
Photograph the fish you catch and compare the pictures to the identification guide in the fishing booklet.
Release all fish that you cannot identify. Keeping a fish illegally comes with large fines and legal penalties.
References
- Photo Credit fishing rod image by Inhumane Productions from Fotolia.com
