S Holton, Georae D

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786 Montana fishes

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FIELD GUIDE

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MONTANA FISHES

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MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

S 597.09786 F2fgm 1969 C.1 Holton
A field guide to Montana fishes /

3 0864 00064412 3

FIELD GUIDE

TO

MONTANA FISHES

This handbook is a compilation of clues used by fisheries workers for iden-
tifying fishes in the field. It includes:

• A simple visual key arranged by type and position of fins on back.

• Illustrations of every Montana fish with distinguishing features labeled.

• Color illustrations of 30 Montana game and sport fishes.

Cover painting: Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
by Glenn West

A

FIELD GUIDE

TO

MONTANA FISHES

Compiled by

GEORGE D. HOLTON

Dave Books • Editor

Donita Sexton • Design and layout

Glenn West • Color paintings (which are also reproduced in black and white)

Harold (Rich) Stevenson • Black and white paintings and line drawings
unless otherwise indicated

Daniel Stinson • Map graphics

ISfWf DOCUMENTS COLLECTION

DEC 11 1990

SCAIIE iMBftftmr
1515 E. fitti A)C.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

1420 E. Sixth Avenue

Helena, Montana 59620

1990

Copyright © 1990

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Holton, George D, 1920-

A field guide to Montana fishes/compiled by George D Holton;

Dave Books, editor; Donita Sexton, design and layout; Glenn West,

color paintings; Harold Stevenson, black and white paintings and line

drawings unless otherwise indicated; Daniel Stinson, map graphics.

p. cm.

1. Fishes -Montana -Identification. I. Montana, Dept. of Fish,
Wildlife, and Parks. II. Title
QL628.M9H65 1990

597.09786 -dc20 89-12640

CIP

Printed by Artcraft Printers
Bozeman, Montana

CONTENTS

PREFACE 6

MAP OF MONTANA SHOWING MAJOR DRAINAGES 7

HOW TO IDENTIFY A FISH 8

AIDS IN IDENTIFYING FISHES 10

IMAGINARY FISH SHOWING EXTERNAL FEATURES 11

COUNTS USED IN FISH IDENTIFICATION 12

GLOSSARY 13

DESCRIPTIONS OF MONTANA FISHES

Sturgeon Family 15

Paddlefish Family 18

Gar Family 19

Pike Family 20

Mooneye Family (Goldeye) 21

Sucker Family (Suckers, Redhorse, Carpsucker, Buffalos) 22

Minnow Family (Minnows, Shiners, Daces, Chubs, Squawfish,

Peamouth, Goldfish, Carp) 27

Killifish Family 43

Livebearer Family (Mosquitofish, Mollies, Swordtail, Platyfish) 44

Trout Family (Trouts, Salmons, Grayling, Whitefishes) 47

Smelt Family 71

Trout-perch Family 72

Bullhead Catfish Family (Catfishes, Bullheads) 73

Codfish Family (Burbot) 76

Stickleback Family 76

Sunfish Family (Sunfishes, Black Basses, Crappies, Rock Bass) 77

Drum Family 85

Sculpin Family 86

Temperate Bass Family (White Bass) 89

Perch Family (Perch, Walleye, Sauger, Darter) 90

SPAWNING SEASONS 92

PROCEDURE FOR HAVING A FISH DECLARED A STATE RECORD 93

MONTANA FISHING RECORDS 94

ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS 96

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON MONTANA FISHES 97

LIST OF MONTANA FISHES 98

INDEX 101

COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS OF GAME AND SPORT FISHES 53

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013

http://archive.org/details/fieldguidetomont1990holt

DEDICATION

To the memory of Dr. C. J. D. Brown, mentor and friend, fisheries
professor at Montana State University, author of Fishes of Montana.

PREFACE

This field guide is intended to provide a concise, easily understood handbook for
identifying Montana fishes. All fishes known to be in the state at the time of writing
are included. Of 86 species, 53 are considered native, 3 possibly native, and 30 in-
troduced (see list of fishes starting on p. 98). One native species, the Cutthroat Trout,
has two subspecies. Three unusual hybrids are also described: the Northern Red-
belly Dace x Finescale Dace, the Tiger Muskellunge, and the Tiger Trout.

In addition to having been a fisheries biologist for 35 years (30 in Montana), I have
been an avid bird watcher for 20 years. Traditionally, bird guides are based on visual
impressions which are easier for laymen to use than the scientific keys to identifica-
tion found in the typical fish guide. This guide is an adaptation of the very successful
identification system pioneered by Roger Tory Peterson for identifying birds. Thus,
I fondly refer to it as "Holton's Bird Guide to Montana Fishes."

Information on characteristics, habitats, and spawning seasons of the fishes was
gleaned from many publications and augmented by my observations plus numerous
suggestions from fisheries personnel of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife
and Parks and other agencies. Dr. William R. Gould, assistant leader of the Mon-
tana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, was particularly helpful.

Designation of individual species as native or introduced and descriptions of native
ranges are based on information from C.J.D Brown's Fishes of Montana (Big Sky
Books, Bozeman, 1971) and supplemented by other literature. The range maps were
prepared using maps in Fishes of Montana as a starting point; these were updated
with information from field personnel and the Department of Fish, Wildlife and
Parks' stream and lake data bases.

Models for the black and white fish paintings were taken from a number of publica-
tions; however, Handbook of Fishes of Kansas by Frank B. Cross (Univ. of Kansas Mus.
of Natur Hist., Misc. Publ. 45, 1967) and Fishes of Montana were primary sources.

I wish to thank the many people who assisted in preparation of this guide. Space
limitation prevents individual recognition but I am sincerely grateful. I also wish
to acknowledge the authors of the numerous books and articles from which much
of the information was selected.

Corrections, updates, and suggestions for future editions will be welcome. Please
send them to: Editor, Montana Outdoors, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and
Parks, 1420 E. Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT 59620.

GDH

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HOW TO IDENTIFY A FISH

Below is the key to the arrangement of fishes in this book. Families are aligned according to the type
and position of fins on the back.1 The reader should use the key to determine which family or families
a fish could be in, then go to pages indicated for descriptions of family members. In the text, look-
alike fishes are generally grouped.

STURGEON FAMILY

pp. 15-17

"——=>=» ^ ^r

PADDLEFISH FAMILY

p. 18

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GAR FAMILY

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p. 19

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PIKE FAMILY

p. 20

MOONEYE FAMILY

(Goldeye)
p. 21

SUCKER FAMILY

(Redhorse, Suckers,

Buffalos)

pp. 22-26

MINNOW FAMILY
(Carp, Chubs, Daces,
Squawfish, Peamouth,
Minnows, Shiners)
pp. 27-42

KILLIFISH FAMILY

p. 43

LIVEBEARER FAMILY

(Mosquitofish,

Tropical Aquarium Fishes)

pp. 44-46

TROUT FAMILY

(Salmons, Trouts,
Grayling, Whitefishes)
pp. 47-52, 61-70

SMELT FAMILY

p. 71

TROUT-PERCH
FAMILY

p. 72

BULLHEAD CATFISH
FAMILY

(Catfishes, Bullheads)

pp. 73-75

CODFISH FAMILY

(Burbot)
p. 76

STICKLEBACK
FAMILY

p. 76

SUNFISH FAMILY

(Crappies,
Sunfishes, Rock
Bass, Black
Basses)
pp. 77-84

DRUM FAMILY

p. 85

SCULPIN FAMILY

pp. 86-88

TEMPERATE BASS
FAMILY

(White Bass)
p. 89

PERCH FAMILY

(Perch, Walleye,
Sauger, Darter)
pp. 90-92

Suggested by Mervin F Roberts in Fisheries. Jan. Feb. 1986. p. 66.

AIDS IN IDENTIFYING FISHES

NAMES -The common and scientific (Latinized) names of fishes conform to those
recommended by the American Fisheries Society. "Other names" are local names
or alternate common names. They are listed so the reader can associate the recom-
mended common names with ones that may be more familiar.

LENGTHS -Two lengths are usually given, for example: 12" (23"). The first is a
typical adult size for the species, while the second (in parentheses) is the usual
Montana maximum (measured from the tip of the snout to the farthest tip of the
tail fin); it is not necessarily the record length, but a length seldom exceeded. If
only one length is given, it is a typical length. (Record weights are given on pp.
94-95.)

MAPS - Distribution of a species or subspecies is shown in color (magenta) on the
map. When large areas are indicated, there may be population gaps or sparse
populations within the range resulting from lack of suitable streams and lakes, or
from failure of the species to reach local areas through natural migration or intro-
duction by man. (Due to the potential damage to valuable fishes from ill-advised
planting, planting fish or fish eggs in waters of the state is unlawful unless author-
ized by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks).

HABITAT-The habit description refers to the preferred or usual habitat and is
simplified for the sake of brevity.

A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION

LOCATION -As a rule, the place where the fish was taken should be within the
known range of the species shown on the distribution map and should fit the
habitat described.

COLOR- Color alone is seldom reliable in fish identification. It may vary from one
habitat to another, from season to season (many fishes are more colorful at spawn-
ing time), and between sexes. Also, color usually changes after death. Color illustra-
tions in this book generally feature adult males, which are usually the most brightly
colored individuals.

BODY SHAPE AND HYBRIDS -There is sometimes variation in body shape be-
tween breeding males and females and between immature fish and adults. Then,
too, a hybrid (a cross between different species or subspecies) is sometimes encoun-
tered. A hybrid's characteristics are usually intermediate between those of the
parental forms.

Identifying fishes is not always easy, but with practice you will become skillful.

10

IMAGINARY FISH SHOWING EXTERNAL FEATURES

(no fish has all of these features)

ADF— Adipose fin
ANF— Anal fin
B— Barbel
CP— Caudal peduncle
D1— First dorsal fin
D2— Second dorsal fin
GC— Gill cover
HL— Head length
LL — Lateral line

PAP— Pelvic axillary process
PCF— Pectoral fin
PLF— Pelvic fin
R— Ray
S— Spine
SN— Snout

TF— Tail fin or caudal fin
TL— Total length

COUNTS USED IN FISH IDENTIFICATION

HOW TO COUNT SCALES IN THE LATERAL LINE

The lateral line (shown in the illustration on p. 11) is a series of sensory pores. Scales
along it (each has a pore) are counted from the gill cover to the base of the tail fin.
The base is located at the crease created in the caudal peduncle when the tail is
bent sideways. Scales behind the crease are not counted. When the lateral line is
missing, the scales along the side where it would be are counted.

HOW TO COUNT FIN RAYS

Rays are counted at their bases, not their tips. All rays in the pelvic and pectoral
fins are counted. Rays in the dorsal and anal fins are counted as shown in the follow-
ing illustration:

rudimentary rays
not counted

last two rays

counted as one

if united at their bases

first ray counted is unbranched
and reaches outer edge of fin

HOW TO COUNT GILL RAKERS

All gill rakers, including rudiments on the first (outermost) arch, are counted.

drawings by Vern Craig

gill filaments

GLOSSARY

(Also, see IMAGINARY FISH SHOWING EXTERNAL FEATURES and COUNTS USED
IN FISH IDENTIFICATION on pp. 11-12.)

Adipose fin -A small, rayless, fleshy fin along the midline of the back behind the dor-
sal fin. Present on members of trout, bullhead catfish, smelt, and trout-perch families.

Anal fin -The unpaired fin along the midline of a fish's underside in front of the tail
fin.

Axillary process -See Pelvic axillary process.

Barbel- A slender, flexible projection on the mouth or chin used for touch or taste.
Barbels may be long and fleshy as in catfishes, or flaplike or threadlike as in some
minnows.

Belly -The underside of a fish from just behind the pectoral fins to the front of the
anal fin.

Breast-The underside of a fish from the junction of the gill covers to just behind
the pectoral fins.

Canine teeth -Strong, sharp, cone-shaped teeth, longer than other teeth, as in the
Walleye.

Caudal peduncle -The part of a fish's body between the anal fin and the tail fin.

Char (charr)-See p. 96.

Cold, cool, warmwater fishes -See p. 96.

Cutthroat slash -A red to orange line in the skin fold on each side of the lower jaw
of Cutthroat Trout, hence the name of this species.

Dorsal fin(s) -A fin or two fins along the midline of the back, usually midway between
the head and tail fin, with supporting rays and/or spines.

Fish of special concern -A designation jointly made by the Montana Department of
Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Natural Heritage Program, and Montana Chapter
of the American Fisheries Society for a native fish with limited habitats and in most
cases limited numbers in Montana. A fish so indicated is not necessarily threatened
or endangered but may require special attention. (Fishes of special concern are
designated in the list of fishes starting on p. 98.) At the time of writing Montana has
no fish designated as threatened or endangered.

Gill rakers- Knobby or comblike projections on the front edge of the gill arches (see
illustration on p. 12). Some fishes use them to filter small food organisms from the
water. They are seen by raising the gill cover.

Gonopodium-A rodlike extension of anal fin rays in male livebearers. It is used to
transfer sperm into the female

13

Lateral line -A line of pores along a fish's side (one per scale if the fish has scales)
that open into an underlying sensory canal. The lateral line is said to be complete
if it extends from the gill cover to the base of the tail fin, and incomplete if it ex-
tends only partway See HOW TO COUNT SCALES IN THE LATERAL LINE on
p. 12.

Length -see Total length, also see LENGTHS on p. 10.

Native -A species natural in a particular area (not introduced by man).

Nuptial tubercles -Small, horny structures that develop on the skin of some fishes
during breeding season.

Paired fins -The pectoral and pelvic fins. They occupy somewhat the same position
as the forelimbs and hindlimbs, respectively, in higher animals.

Palatine teeth -Teeth in the roof of the mouth on a pair of bones that extend out-
ward and rearward on each side (see illustration on p. 86).

Parr marks -Dark, vertical blotches on the young of many members of the trout
family; these may persist to adulthood in a few species.

Pectoral fins -The forward or uppermost paired fins on each side just behind the head.

Pelvic axillary process- A fleshy or scaly dagger-shaped projection at the base of each
pelvic fin, as in members of the trout family.

Pelvic fins -The paired fins on the lower body behind or below the pectoral fins.

Prickles - Small projections on the skin (apparently vestiges of scales) that feel rough
to the touch, as in sculpins.

Rays (soft rays) -The supporting structures in fins that are jointed (crossed by grooves
or striations), usually flexible, and often branched.

Rudiment or rudimentary -That which is not fully developed; for example, the short,
unbranched rays in some fins.

Soft rayed -A fin without spines or a fish with only soft-rayed fins.

Spines - 1. Fin rays that are not branched or segmented (i.e., not crossed by grooves
or striations) and that are usually sharp and stiff. 2. The hardened soft rays on such
fishes as Common Carp and catfishes. 3. The straight or curved, sharp structures
on a bone, such as spines on the gill cover of sculpins.

Spiny -rayed fish -A fish in which the first dorsal fin or the front part of the dorsal
fin has spine-type rays. Usually, it also has spiny fin rays in the anal fin.

Total length -The straight line distance from the tip of the snout (with mouth closed)
to the farthest tip of the tail fin.

Turbid -Having the sediment stirred up; muddy or silty

14

DESCRIPTIONS OF MONTANA FISHES

STURGEON FAMILY
Acipenseridae

Sturgeons are holdovers from a very ancient group of fishes. They are characterized by a
long snout with the mouth underneath behind four long barbels, and a "backbone" that
extends into the enlarged upper lobe of the tail fin. Instead of the typical overlapping scales,
they have several lengthwise rows of shieldlike plates.

SHOVELNOSE STURGEON

Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

snout flattened
and shovel shaped

tail fin upturned, sharklike

J^

four barbels

32" (41")
caudal peduncle long and slender

WSSM

bases of outer barbels are
in line with, or slightly
ahead of, inner barbels

belly covered with
small, scalelike plates
(except in young)

OTHER NAME: Hackleback

COLOR: See p. 53.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Inner pair of barbels
about three-fourths the length of the outer pair. Dor-
sal fin has 30 to 36 rays; anal fin has 18 to 23 rays.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Pallid Sturgeon differs in
position and length of barbels, its belly lacks
scalelike plates, and it has more rays in its dorsal and anal fins. (2) See White Sturgeon.

HABITAT: Large rivers over sand or gravel, often in strong current; also impoundments of
these rivers. Tolerates turbid water.

ORIGIN: Native in Missouri-Mississippi river drainage, including Montana.

15

PALLID STURGEON

Scaphirhynchus albus

caudal peduncle long and slender

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60"

belly naked (no plates)

bases of outer barbels usually
behind bases of inner barbels

COLOR: Back and sides gray to tan, underside
yellow to white.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Inner pair of barbels
about half the length of the outer pair. Dorsal fin has
37 to 42 rays; anal fin has 24 to 28 rays.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Shovelnose Sturgeon
and (2) White Sturgeon.

HABITAT: Large, turbid rivers over sand or gravel bottom, usually in strong current; also
impoundments of these rivers.

ORIGIN: Native in Missouri-Mississippi river drainage, including Montana.

COMMENT: Seldom seen in Montana, also rare in downstream states. Currently a fish of
special concern and a candidate for endangered status.

WHITE STURGEON

Acipenser transmontanus

spiracle present
(opening above and
behind eye)

caudal peduncle short and thick

**■*-**»*-•■%-

-■»«■ ■»«— ■

30" (75")

four barbels

COLOR: Gray.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other Montana sturgeons have
a long, slender caudal peduncle, have no spiracle,
and are found only east of the Continental Divide.

HABITAT: Large, cool rivers.

ORIGIN: Pacific Coast, from mid-California to
Alaska, where it is anadromous (spending part of
its life at sea and ascending rivers to spawn). Also native, but landlocked, in upper Colum-
bia River Drainage including Kootenai River downstream from the falls in Montana.

COMMENT: A fish of special concern. Montana's population decreased significantly after
construction of Libby Dam in 1972 and may have vanished from the state.

PADDLEFISH FAMILY
Polyodontidae

Paddlefishes are primitive fishes, relicts of a bygone era. They are readily identified by the
long paddlelike snout, long, tapered gill covers, and the "backbone" bent up into upper lobe
of tail fin.

PADDLEFISH

Polyodon spathula

"backbone" extends into
upper lobe of tail fin

snout long and paddlelike

gill cover long and tapered

OTHER NAME: Spoonbill Cat

COLOR: See p. 53.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body smooth and
virtually scaleless.

HABITAT: Slow or quiet waters of large rivers or
impoundments. Spawns on gravel bars of large
rivers during spring high water. Tolerates or perhaps
seeks turbid water.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana. Year-round populations in Fort Peck Reservoir and in dredge
cuts below Fort Peck Dam. Spring spawning run from North Dakota up Missouri River into
Montana. Part of run branches off into Yellowstone River, while remainder continues up
Missouri River to Fort Peck Dam. Also, spawning run from Fort Peck Reservoir upstream
into Missouri River.

COMMENT: This is a fish of special concern as there are only six major reproducing popula-
tions left in the United States. Two of these are in Montana. Swims with its mouth open and
strains plankton (microscopic plants and animals that drift or swim weakly) from the water
with its comblike gill rakers. Function of paddlelike snout is not completely understood.
It may be a sensory organ for locating concentrations of food, and/or even a stabilizer to
prevent the nosediving that might otherwise result from the drag created by water enter-
ing the gaping mouth.

GAR FAMILY
Lepisosteidae

Like sturgeons and paddlefishes, gars are primitive fishes, little changed over millions of
years. Montana's only representative, the Shortnose Gar, is a typical member of the family.

SHORTNOSE GAR

Lepisosteus platostomus

body long and cylindrical

jaws long and beaklike
with many sharp teeth

- J

dorsal fin

far back on body

tail fin rounded
25" (29")

COLOR: Olive green to brown, grading to white
below.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body covered with
thick, nonoverlapping, diamond-shaped scales.

HABITAT: Large rivers, their backwaters, and
impoundments.

ORIGIN: Native in Mississippi and Missouri river
drainages upstream to Fort Peck Dam in Montana.

COMMENT: Rare in Montana and designated a fish of special concern. Gar eggs are poi-
sonous to humans.

19

PIKE FAMILY
Esocidae

Family members have a flattened, beaklike snout and a large mouth with many sharp teeth.
The dorsal fin is placed far back on the long body. The "Walleyed Pike" is not a true pike
but a member of the perch family (p. 91).

NORTHERN PIKE

Esox lucius

snout flattened
like a duck's bi

dorsal fin near tail fin
I

numerous
sharp teeth

pale spots 20" (45")

OTHER NAMES: Pike, Northern, Pickerel, Jack,
Hammer-handle, Slimer

COLOR: See p. 54.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The Tiger Muskellunge-a
hybrid of the Muskellunge and Northern Pike -has
recently been introduced on a trial basis into a few

small reservoirs east of the Continental Divide (the s^— - Northern Pike and

Muskellunge is not present in Montana waters). The Tiger Muskellunge

Tiger Muskellunge's body has vertical greenish stripes on a light background (juvenile North-
ern Pike have light vertical stripes on a dark background).

HABITAT: Bays of lakes and reservoirs; pools and backwaters of streams. Seeks areas with
dense vegetation.

ORIGIN: Natural distribution is circumpolar-i.e., across northern Eurasia and northern
North America. Native to Montana in the South Saskatchewan River Drainage. Now widely
distributed in the state due to introductions by humans.

COMMENT: The Northern Pike is a voracious fish that eats mostly other fishes. Its unauth-
orized introduction into waters west of the Continental Divide has destroyed several native
trout populations; as this species moves down the Columbia River Drainage there is potential
for significant harm to major salmon fisheries.

Tiger Muskellunge

mm-

20

MOONEYE FAMILY
Hiodontidae

Members of this family are moderate-sized fishes with deep, flat-sided bodies covered by
large, silvery scales. The dorsal fin is set back over the long anal fin. Montana has one species.

GOLDEYE

Hiodon alosoides

large yellow
or gold eye

body deep and flat sided

fleshy ridge

dorsal fin set back
over anal fin

\

anal fin base long

12" (20")

anal fin of mature male
has distinct lobe

OTHER NAMES: Skipjack, Shiner, Shad

COLOR: See p. 54.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Large scales. Well-
developed teeth on jaws, roof of mouth, and tongue

HABITAT: Large rivers and reservoirs; adapted to
turbid water.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

SUCKER FAMILY
Catostomidae

A typical sucker has its mouth on the underside of the head with extensible lips adapted
for sucking food from the bottom. The mouth is always toothless and the fins soft rayed.

Young suckers may be confused with minnows. The former, however, usually have a "sucker
mouth," never have barbels, and have the anal fin set farther back on the body. On suckers
the distance from the front of the anal fin to the tip of the snout is over 2Vi times the distance
from the front of the anal fin to the base of the tail fin. This is also true on Common Carp
and Goldfish, but they are easily told from suckers by the sawtooth spines in their dorsal
and anal fins. If the proportion is less than 1xh times, the fish is a minnow.

POSITION OF ANAL FIN

Sucker

Minnow

SHORTHEAD REDHORSE

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

scales large and
uniform in size

tail fin red

\

/

\ rear edge of
lower lip
nearly straight

fins red, orange, or yellowish pink

12" (20")

COLOR: Sides golden or silvery, back olive to
brown with golden reflections, underside white to
yellow. Fins are red, orange, or yellowish pink. Up- ^
per body scales have dark pigment at their bases.

SIMILAR SPECIES: No other Montana sucker has
a red tail fin.

HABITAT: Moderately large rivers with sand, gravel,
or rocky bottom, intermediate temperatures, and
swift current.

22

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

LARGESCALE SUCKER

Catostomus macrocheilus

11-14 scales in oblique

row above lateral line (not including.

lateral line scale)

caudal peduncle shallow

\

lower lip almost
as high as wide

OTHER NAME: Coarsescale Sucker

COLOR: Back and sides dark olive gray, changing
abruptly to white or yellowish on underside

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Dorsal fin usually
has 13 to 15 rays, its base is long. Scales are medium
sized, 62 to 80 in lateral line.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) White Sucker has 8 to 10
scales above lateral line, lower lip is much wider
than high. It is not found west of Continental Divide
(Largescale Sucker is only west of Divide). (2) See Longnose Sucker.

HABITAT: Lakes and rivers.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

14" (20")

WHITE SUCKER

Catostomus commersoni

8-10 scales in oblique

row above lateral line (not including

lateral line scale)

i !

m?~

lower lip much
wider than high

OTHER NAMES: Common Sucker, Coarsescale
Sucker

COLOR: Dusky olive brown to nearly black above,
shading to cream or white below.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Dorsal fin has 11 to
13 rays. Scales are medium sized, 60 to 75 in lateral
line.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Longnose Sucker has a
longer snout and smaller scales (its smaller scales
make it noticeably smoother to the touch). (2) See Largescale Sucker.

HABITAT: All kinds of lakes and streams but avoids rapid current -very adaptable.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

13" (21")

23

LONGNOSE SUCKER

Catostomus catostomus

scales small, crowded toward

front of body, 95-120 in lateral line Jj

"\

13" (20")

lower lip much
'wider than high

OTHER NAME: Finescale Sucker

COLOR: Back, upper sides, and head to below the
eye dark olive to slate; underparts white or yellow.
Breeding males are nearly jet black on upper half
of head and body and may have red midside band.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Has 9 to 12 rays in
dorsal fin, and more than 15 scales above lateral
line (see illustration for either White Sucker or
Largescale Sucker).

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Largescale Sucker's dorsal fin base is noticeably longer than the
Longnose Sucker's; Largescale also has a shorter snout and larger scales. See (2) White Sucker
and (3) Mountain Sucker.

HABITAT: Clear, cold streams and lakes; sometimes moderately warm waters and turbid
waters.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

MOUNTAIN SUCKER

Catostomus platyrhynchus

cartilaginous edge of lower jaw
obvious even with mouth closed

distinct notch on
each side between
upper and lower lips

scales small, usually
75-92 in lateral line

7" (9")

COLOR: Back and upper sides dusky or dark green
with black specks; may have dark mottling shaped
like saddles across the back; lower body whitish.
Both sexes have a reddish-orange band along sides
during breeding season; band is brighter, longer,
and wider in male

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Mouth is so long it
sometimes exceeds head width.

SIMILAR SPECIES: No other Montana sucker has
notches in corners of mouth.

HABITAT: Clear, cold streams with rubble gravel, or sand bottoms; sometimes turbid streams,
but seldom lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

BLUE SUCKER

Cycleptus elongatus

eye closer to back of head
than to tip of snout

lips have
wartlike bumps

COLOR: Back and sides dark blue to dark olive,
underside white

HABITAT: Deep water of large rivers and reservoirs.
Prefers swift currents.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

BIGMOUTH BUFFALO

Ictiobus cyprinellus

top of mouth about level
with lower margin of eye

lips nearly smooth,
upper lip thin

dorsal fin long and
sickle shaped

29" (43")

COLOR: Usually dark colored (brownish or black-
ish), often with a coppery sheen; sometimes green-
ish or gray. Underside whitish or yellow; fins dark.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Smallmouth Buffalo's color
is generally lighter, top of mouth is well below lower
margin of eye, and lips are thicker and more deeply
grooved. See (2) River Carpsucker and (3) Common
Carp.

HABITAT: Large rivers and reservoirs.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

25

SMALLMOUTH BUFFALO

Ictiobus bubalus

hump shouldered, a sharp ridge
usually present

dorsal fin long and
sickle shaped

I *'* X

23" (26")

lips thick and deeply grooved

COLOR: Bronze to slate or olive on back and sides,
often with a bluish cast; lighter below. Fins dark.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Top of upper lip is
well below lower margin of eye

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Bigmouth Buffalo, (2)
River Carpsucker, and (3) Common Carp.

HABITAT: Reservoirs, quiet areas of rivers, and
sometimes small streams.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

RIVER CARPSUCKER

Carpiodes carpio

nipplelike bulge
at tip of
lower lip

snout blunt
and rounded

OTHER NAMES: White Carp, Silver Carp

COLOR: Sides silvery, back brown to olive, under-
side white Lower fins whitish.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Buffalos are darker colored;
also, they do not have a nipplelike bulge at tip of
lower lip. Smallmouth Buffalo usually has a sharp
ridge on back in front of dorsal fin; top of Bigmouth
Buffalo's mouth is about level with lower margin of
eye (2) See Common Carp.

HABITAT: Rivers, especially backwaters; also reservoirs

26 ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

dorsal fin long and
sickle shaped

'^

17" (24")

MINNOW FAMILY
Cyprinidae

Although the term "minnow" is often applied to all young or small fishes, it is properly used
only in reference to members of the minnow family. Most minnows are small (less than
5 inches), but some become large. For example, Common Carp and Northern Squawfish
reach sizes in excess of 2 feet.

Family members have a toothless mouth and soft-rayed fins (except for a spine in the dor-
sal and anal fins of Common Carp and Goldfish). Some have barbels.

Adult specimens of most minnows can be identified from the pictures, descriptions, and
comparisons in this guide. Information in the table on p. 42 will help with look-alikes, and
the distribution maps will give valuable hints.

The bulk of a typical minnow population, however, is comprised of juveniles. Some im-
mature minnows are distinctive and identifiable, but many are so similar and have key
characters (such as barbels) so hard to find that they cannot be positively identified in the
field.

COMMON CARP

Cyprinus carpio

sawtooth spine

y'\ dorsal fin base long

/

-

two barbels on each
side of upper jaw

35-39 scales in lateral line

v

yllh

sawtooth spine

18" (40")

COLOR: Overall bronze with a dark-brown to
olive-green back and yellowish underside.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Some individuals,
called Mirror Carp, have enlarged scales scattered
over the body with bare patches between. Leather
Carp are scaleless.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Goldfish have no barbels and

fewer scales in the lateral line. Common Carp and

Goldfish are distinguished from suckers (especially

the River Carpsucker and the buffalos) and from all other minnows by the sawtooth spine

in dorsal and anal fins; also, suckers do not have barbels.

HABITAT: Primarily lakes and reservoirs, where it seeks moderately warm water and
shallows. Also rivers, where it prefers pools and backwaters. Congregates in areas of organic
enrichment, such as sewage outfalls. Tolerates turbid water and low dissolved oxygen; avoids
cold water and swift, rocky streams (thus, usually not found in trout streams).

ORIGIN: Native to temperate portions of Eurasia. Introduced into Montana.

:;

GOLDFISH

Carassius auratus

sawtooth spine

dorsal fin base long

m

no barbels

sawtooth spine

26-30 scales in
lateral line

12" (17")

COLOR: Variable. Ranges from red, orange, black,
white or any combination of these in cultured
varieties to olive brown in individuals that have ^
reverted to the wild.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See Common Carp.

HABITAT: Lakes and ponds with weedy shallows
that are somewhat warm in summer.

ORIGIN: Native to eastern Asia. Montana popula-
tions are the result of unauthorized releases of pets into state waters.

COMMENT: Goldfish can become so numerous in the wild that they crowd out more
desirable species. It is illegal to release them in any lake, pond, or stream in the state.

28

UTAH CHUB

Gila atraria

front of dorsal fin even
with front of pelvic fins

caudal peduncle
deep

*«$C ■

10" (15")

body chubby

COLOR: Back olive brown to nearly black, occa-
sionally bluish; sides usually brassy but sometimes
silvery. Underside usually whitish or silvery.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: No barbels.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Other Montana chubs have v\
barbels and a shallower caudal peduncle; also, adult
size is smaller. (2) An immature Fathead Minnow
can be distinguished from a small Utah Chub by the
former's rounded dorsal fin and dark vertical line
at base of tail fin.

HABITAT: Lakes and streams. Prefers slow-moving or still water and areas with abundant
aquatic vegetation.

ORIGIN: Native to ancient Lake Bonneville Basin in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada,
and Snake River Drainage above Shoshone Falls. Apparently introduced into Hebgen Lake
in the early 1930s from a fisherman's bait bucket. Has since dispersed downstream.

29

snout long

NORTHERN SQUAWFISH

Ptychocheilus oregonensis

""* """*■ _

tail fin
deeply forked

large, toothless mouth
extends behind front of eye
(except in small fish)

COLOR: Back green, silvery below. Young have pro-
minent dark spot at base of tail fin.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: No barbels.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) A squawfish might be mis-
taken for a trout, but trouts have an adipose fin and
teeth in the mouth. (2) Peamouth has a small
mouth. (3) Flathead Chub has barbels and longer,
more pointed pectoral fins; it is not found in the
same drainages as Northern Squawfish.

HABITAT: Typically lakes, but also slower currents of rivers and streams.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

12" (30")

PEAMOUTH

Mylocheilus caurinus

dorsal fin, when pressed flat

— against back, does not extend

to front of anal fin ___.

tail fin

v deeply forked

8" (14'

30

COLOR: Dark on back and silvery below; two
dusky stripes along side; reddish at corners of
mouth. Breeding fish have red midside stripe.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Small barbel at each
corner of mouth.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) See Northern Squawfish.
(2) Adult Lake Chub is only half the size of adult
Peamouth, and dorsal fin when pressed flat extends
over anal fin; also, it is not found in the same
drainages as Peamouth.

HABITAT: Lakes and streams, particularly weedy areas

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

REDSIDE SHINER

Richardsonius balteatus

eye large

lateral line

strongly downcurved

10-22 rays,

anal fin base long

4" (6")

COLOR: Dark olive to brown on back; dark mid-
side band from snout to tail fin with a narrow light
stripe above it; lower sides silver with a reddish
wash; underside silvery. Breeding fish highly col-
ored; male has brilliant red and yellow on sides and
belly, female is less striking.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body moderately
deep and flat sided, front of dorsal fin well behind
front of pelvic fins.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Golden Shiner has a ridge on belly and golden coloration. In addition,
the Golden's range is east of the Continental Divide, while the Redside's is almost exclusively
west of the Divide.

HABITAT: Lakes, ponds, and moderately fast streams.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

GOLDEN SHINER

Notemigonus crysoleucas

lateral line

strongly downcurved

fleshy ridge

11-15 rays,

anal fin base long

4" (7")

COLOR: Adults golden; color fades rapidly when
removed from water. Young silvery with dusky mid-
side band.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body deep and flat- ^
sided, front of dorsal fin well behind front of pelvic
fins. Head small and triangular.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See Redside Shiner.

HABITAT: Clear, weedy, quiet waters of ponds,
lakes, and to a lesser extent, streams.

ORIGIN: Native to eastern North America as far west as the Dakotas and Texas, and from
southern Canada to the Gulf States. May be native in eastern Montana.

NORTHERN REDBELLY DACE

Phoxinus eos

mouth oblique, usually does not
extend to front margin of eye

scales very small
(fish appears scaleless)

2" (2V2")

COLOR: Olive to dark brown above; lower side and
belly yellow or silvery except on adult males dur-
ing summer when lower side is red. Side has two
dark stripes with a light band between them; the
upper stripe often breaks into spots toward tail. The
lower stripe is broader and extends from snout to
base of tail fin where it may end in a spot. These
two lateral stripes are sometimes connected by a
dark, oblique crossband.

Northern Redbelly Dace
and hybrid

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Eye large. Body almost round in cross section. Front of dor-
sal fin behind front of pelvic fins. Lateral line incomplete and not distinct. No barbels.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) The hybrid of the Northern Redbelly Dace and Finescale Dace has
been found in 10 streams and one small reservoir in the Missouri River Drainage It is usually
larger than the Northern Redbelly Dace and has a larger mouth. Its midside stripe is less
distinct, and its upper stripe is faint and usually broken. In practice, however, there is no
sure, simple field technique for telling the hybrid from the Northern Redbelly Dace (2) The
Northern Redbelly Dace is distinguished from other small minnows by its two distinct stripes,
one on midside and one on upper side, and smaller scales (see table on p. 42).

HABITAT: Clear, slow-flowing creeks and lakes with aquatic vegetation, including filamen-
tous algae.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: Although the Northern Redbelly Dace is fairly common in Montana, the
Finescale Dace has never been recorded for the state. The hybrid persists due to a unique
reproductive strategy. Hybrid females breed with Redbelly Dace males, but the males genetic
material is discarded during egg development and is not passed on to the next generation.
The offspring are all female and clones of the mother (that is, they are genetically identical
to the mother). Unisexuality is not common among vertebrates but has been found in am-
phibians and reptiles as well as in fishes. Due to its rarity, the Northern Redbelly Dace x
Finescale Dace Hybrid is a fish of special concern in Montana.

Hybrid of Northern Redbelly Dace
and Finescale Dace

upper stripe broken and faint

32

mouth moderately oblique, usually
extends at least to front
margin of eye

midside stripe dusky

scales very small

PEARL DACE

Semotilus margarita

front of dorsal fin behind
front of pelvic fins i

scales small

3" (6")

body almost round
in cross section

COLOR: Back dark, sides dusky silver, underside
white; scattered dark scales give some individuals
a speckled appearance Young have a dusky midline
band that fades on large specimens but may be
distinct on caudal peduncle Breeding males are
orange red on the sides and below.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: A small, flaplike
barbel is present in groove of upper lip just above
each corner of mouth, sometimes absent from one
or both sides.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Although the Pearl Dace is easily confused with the Lake Chub, they
can be distinguished by their barbels. The Pearl Dace has a small, flat barbel in groove of
upper lip, noticeably above corner of mouth; the Lake Chub has a well-developed, round-
ed barbel, essentially at corner of mouth. (2) See Creek Chub.

HABITAT: Small, cool streams; some large rivers and lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: Found in few Montana waters; therefore, a fish of special concern.

LAKE CHUB

Couesius plumbeus

body almost round
in cross section

barbel
(see text)

4" (6'

COLOR: Silver gray overall, dusky on back, under-
side whitish. A midside band is present but often
indistinct. Scattered dark scales may be present, giv-
ing a speckled appearance Breeding males develop
reddish patches, particularly on the pectoral fin
bases.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: A well-developed,
rounded barbel is located slightly above each cor-
ner of the mouth.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Creek Chub, (2) Pearl Dace and (3) Peamouth.

HABITAT: Mostly small streams at lower elevations; to a lesser extent, larger streams
lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

id

and

33

CREEK CHUB

Semotilus atromaculatus

body almost round
in cross section

black spot

i

mouth large, extending behind
front of eye

black spot usually present

4" (8")

OTHER NAME: Horned Dace

COLOR: Overall silvery, often with purple irides-
cence; back olive; underside white. Young have a
prominent dark midside band extending from tip
of snout to tail fin; band fades on older fish. Black
spot at front of dorsal fin base may be vague in im-
mature specimens. Breeding males usually have a
reddish cast.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: A small, flaplike
barbel is located in groove of upper lip just above each corner of mouth; this character is
seldom absent. Breeding males have a few pronounced nuptial tubercles (horny projections)
on head and smaller ones on body and pectoral fins.

SIMILAR SPECIES: No other Montana minnow has a distinct black spot on dorsal fin. (1)
Pearl Dace has a smaller mouth. (2) Lake Chub has a smaller mouth and a rounded barbel.
(3) A female or immature Fathead Minnow may suggest a small Creek Chub but has a smaller
mouth and a dark vertical line at base of tail fin. (4) See Spottail Shiner.

HABITAT: Typically creeks. Less common in rivers and shallows of lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

34

FLATHEAD CHUB

Hybopsis gracilis

front of dorsal fin usually
ahead of front of pelvic fins

head wedge shaped,
flattened on top

Lg

,^—4^4

snout projects slightly j

beyond upper lip

COLOR: Very silvery, shading to brown or dusky
on back.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Mouth large with a
conspicuous barbel at each corner. Pectoral fin
sickle shaped with a long, sharply pointed tip that
may extend almost to front of pelvic fin.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Sicklefin Chub, (2)
Sturgeon Chub, and (3) Northern Squawfish.

HABITAT: Mostly turbid rivers and streams.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

5" (7")

SICKLEFIN CHUB

Hybopsis meeki

rounded snout projects
slightly beyond upper lip

fins sickle shaped

tip of pectoral fin extends '"A
behind front of pelvic fin

COLOR: Light brown on back and upper sides;
silvery white below

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Conspicuous barbel \
at each corner of mouth.

3" (4")

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Could be mistaken for a
small Flathead Chub. Flathead can be told by
wedge-shaped head profile and pointed snout; tip
of its pectoral fin does not extend behind front of
pelvic fin. (2) Sturgeon Chub has keeled scales
above lateral line, and its snout projects well beyond upper lip.

HABITAT: Fast water of turbid rivers over sand or gravel bottom.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: A fish of special concern due to its limited distribution in the state

35

STURGEON CHUB

Hybopsis gelida

most scales above lateral line
have distinct keel (low ridge)

head sturgeonlike
snout projects well beyond upper lip

3" (4")

COLOR: Back brownish, sides and underparts
silvery to white.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Conspicuous barbel
at each corner of mouth.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Could be mistaken for a
small Flathead Chub but can be recognized by its
smaller, horizontal mouth overhung by the snout
and keeled scales above lateral line See (2) Sicklefin
Chub, and (3) Longnose Dace.

HABITAT: Currents of turbid streams over sand or gravel.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: Uncommon to rare in Montana; therefore, a fish of special concern.

LONGNOSE DACE

Rhinichthys cataractae

head wedge shaped

3" (6")

{ — \V

snout projects ^

well beyond upper lip

COLOR: Back olive to black, shading to white or
yellow underneath. Sides may have dark blotches.
Breeding males have reddish orange on head and
fins. Juveniles have a black midside stripe starting
at the tip of the snout and ending in a spot at the
base of the tail fin.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Small barbel at each
corner of mouth hidden in fold of skin.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Could be confused with
small suckers, from which it is distinguished by having barbels and by the more forward
placement of anal fin (see text and illustrations on p. 22). (2) Sturgeon Chub has silvery
color, conspicuous barbel, and larger scales many of which have keels.

HABITAT: Riffle areas of streams and rivers; to a lesser extent, lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

FATHEAD MINNOW

Pimephales promelas

dorsal fin rounded

/

mouth small
ADULT OTHER THAN BREEDING MALE

V.

narrow dark line often present
at base of tail fin

2" (3")

spongy pad

nuptial tubercles

BREEDING MALE

2" (3")

COLOR: Back dark olive or brown, sides dusky,
pale below. Young are lighter and have a dark mid-
side band. Breeding males nearly black with two
light blotches.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body of adult is
stout. Lateral line usually incomplete Scales ahead
of dorsal fin are small and crowded. First ray of dor-
sal fin is short, thick, and blunt- not easily seen on
females and young.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Immature Fathead Minnows may be confused with small individuals
of other minnow species. A narrow, dark, vertical line at base of tail fin is a clue that a min-
now is a Fathead; however, other Montana minnows sometimes have a faint line at base of
tail fin. See (1) Sand Shiner, (2) Brassy Minnow, (3) Creek Chub, and (4) Utah Chub.

HABITAT: Ponds, shallow lakes, slow-flowing streams. Tolerates turbid water, high temper-
atures, and low dissolved oxygen.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

37

BRASSY MINNOW
Hybognathus hankinsoni

scales large

front of dorsal fin ahead
of front of pelvic fins

dorsal fin rounded,
at least at tip

2V2" (3V2")

COLOR: Back olive green to brown, sides yellowish
or dull silver becoming brassy in breeding male,
underside white. Dusky midside stripe usually
present.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Scales on breast do
not appear to overlap.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Plains and Western Silvery

minnows are very silvery (Brassy Minnows are often

brassy or yellowish in color), scales on the breast

show overlap, and the dorsal fin is not rounded. (2) Fathead minnow has a drabber color,

smaller scales, and an incomplete lateral line (3) Sand Shiner has paired spots on each lateral

line scale.

HABITAT: Small to medium-sized prairie streams with clear to slightly turbid water and
some vegetation, often found over sand and gravel bottom. Occasionally lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

38

WESTERN SILVERY MINNOW

Hybognathus argyritis

and PLAINS MINNOW

Hybognathus placitus

scales large

WESTERN SILVERY MINNOW

4" (6")

front of dorsal fin ahead
of front of pelvic fins

OUTLINE OF
PLAINS MINNOW

Western Silvery Minnow
and Plains Minnow

Because they are very similar, the Plains Minnow

and Western Silvery Minnow are treated together.

The Plains is more streamlined than the Western

Silvery (see illustrations above). Also, the Plains

usually has 15 to 18 scales across the belly from

lateral line to lateral line, compared with the

Western Silvery 's usual 12 to 15. Nevertheless, there

is no sure method for telling live specimens apart.

Dead specimens can be identified by inspecting a

bone at the base of the skull and the muscles

attached to it. These features are clearly illustrated in William L. Pflieger, The Fishes of

Missouri, Missouri Dept. of Conserv, 1975, pp. 107-108.

COLOR: Overall very silvery; back dusky or yellowish olive, underside white; sometimes
has an indistinct dusky midside stripe.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Scales on breast show overlap.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Sand Shiner has paired dashes on each lateral line scale See (2) Brassy
Minnow and (3) Emerald Shiner.

HABITAT: Slower portions of medium-sized to large streams. Sometimes found in creeks
and impoundments.

ORIGIN: Both species are native to Montana.

39

EMERALD SHINER

Notropis atherinoides

front of dorsal fin behind
front of pelvic fins |

.^f?V"'

1

I anal fin usually has 10 or 11 rays,

base moderately long
COLOR: Overall silvery with iridescent light-green
back. Usually has an emerald green or silvery mid-
side stripe, particularly toward the rear. Young are
somewhat translucent.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Eye large. Body
slender and flat sided, fragile looking. Scales eas-
ily rubbed off.

SIMILAR SPECIES: In Brassy, Plains, and Western
Silvery minnows, front of dorsal fin is ahead of front
of pelvic fins.

HABITAT: Open water of large streams, reservoirs, and lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

3" (4")

SPOTTAIL SHINER

Notropis hudsonius

front of dorsal fin even
with or slightly ahead of
front of pelvic fins L^

!

-* ^ y I -

—— p1

prominent black spot
(faint on older fish)

3" (5")

40

COLOR: Overall silvery with pale-green to olive
back. Lower edge of tail fin may be whitish.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Eye large, body flat
sided.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The Creek Chub, like the Spot-
tail Shiner, has a spot at base of tail fin but also has
one at front of dorsal fin base. It almost always has
barbels (the Spottail has none). The Creek Chub is
a larger minnow but individuals that are Spottail
Shiner sized have a dark midside band which may extend to tip of snout.

HABITAT: Large, clear rivers and lakes over firm bottom of sand, gravel, and rubble where
vegetation is scanty or lacking. Avoids strong currents.

ORIGIN: Native range extends across much of Canada, dipping into central United States
and down Eastern Seaboard. Introduced into Montana as forage for game fishes starting in
1982.

SAND SHINER

Notropis stramineus

scales edged in black
giving diamond pattern

2" (3")

paired black dashes
(railroad tracks) on
lateral line scales

COLOR: Back light olive, sides silvery (sometimes
with bluish-purple sheen), underside white A thin
black stripe along midline of back expands into a
wedge at front of dorsal fin. Black dashes on lateral
line scales may be faint on fish from turbid water.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Eye large. Body
somewhat flat sided but not deep.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Paired dashes on lateral line
scales distinguish Sand Shiner from other Montana
minnows.

HABITAT: Mainly streams with sand or gravel bottoms; also sandy shallows of lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

41

MINNOW LATERAL LINE SCALE COUNTS
AND BARBEL CHARACTERISTICS

Lateral line

Species

scale count1

Barbels

Goldfish

26-30

None.

Brassy Minnow

32-39

None.

Sand Shiner

32-39

None.

Plains Minnow

33-41

None.

Western Silvery Minnow

34-41

None.

Common Carp

35-39

Two on each side of upper jaw,
conspicuous.

Emerald Shiner

35-41

None.

Spottail Shiner

36-42

None.

Sturgeon Chub

37-46

One at each corner of mouth,
conspicuous.

Fathead Minnow

40-502

None.

Flathead Chub

42-59

One at each corner of mouth,
conspicuous.

Golden Shiner

44-54

None.

Sicklefin Chub

45-50

One at each corner of mouth,
conspicuous.

Utah Chub

45-65

None.

Creek Chub

52-64

One in upper lip groove just ahead of
each corner of mouth, small and flaplike.
Seldom absent.

Redside Shiner

52-67

None.

Lake Chub

54-70

One very slightly above each corner of
mouth, rounded, well developed.

Longnose Dace

58-73

One at each corner of mouth in fold of
skin, small.

Pearl Dace

61-78

Same as Creek Chub (above). Sometimes
absent from one or both sides.

Northern Squawfish

68-77

None.

Peamouth

68-79

One at each corner of mouth, small.

Northern Redbelly Dace

75-902

None.

1 When identifying minnows a quick approximate count of the lateral line scales will often narrow the
field of candidates. For counting procedure see HOW TO COUNT SCALES IN THE LATERAL LINE
on pg. 12.

2 Scales should be counted along midside, as lateral line is incomplete.

42

KILLIFISH FAMILY
Cyprinodontidae

Killifishes are small fishes with an upturned mouth, a projecting lower lip adapted for sur-
face feeding, and a slightly rounded or squarish tail fin. The one Montana species is boldly
marked with vertical bars.

PLAINS KILLIFISH

Fundulus zebrinus

side has dark
vertical bars

lower jaw projects
beyond upper jaw

3" (4")

COLOR: Olive brown on back, fading to pale yellow
or white below. Side has 12 to 28 dark vertical bars
(bars on female are narrower and more numerous,
as in illustration above).

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Head broad and flat,
lateral line absent.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Montana members of (1) live-
bearer family and (2) minnow family do not have
vertical bars on sides.

HABITAT: Shallow streams with sand or gravel bottom, comparatively high alkalinity or
salinity, and few other fishes.

ORIGIN: Native in Great Plains from South Dakota to Texas. Its widespread distribution
in Montana indicates it may be native here also (see: Al Elser, "In Search of Native Killifish,"
Montana Outdoors, May/June 1980, pp. 25-26).

43

LIVEBEARER FAMILY
Poeciliidae

These are small fishes with mouth upturned for surface feeding. The male's anal fin is placed
forward and modified into a gonopodium, a slender structure for transferring sperm to the
female. The eggs hatch internally and young are born alive.

MOSQUITOFISH

Gambusia affinis

teardrop

{

front of dorsal fin
behind front of anal fin

2" (2V2")

MALE

■ *

"/
gonopodium

1"(1V2")

COLOR: Light olive to dull silver.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other livebearers in Montana
waters are more colorful and do not have teardrop
marking; also, dorsal fin is not placed as far back
on body (on female front of dorsal fin is ahead of
front of anal fin).

HABITAT: Widely stocked in shallow waters each

year for mosquito control. Avidly eats mosquito

larvae which typically live just below water surface. Can survive winter only in

or runs from thermal springs.

ORIGIN: Not native to Montana. Occurs naturally from southern Illinois and Indiana
southward to the Gulf States and Mexico. Also along the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey
to Florida.

TROPICAL AQUARIUM FISHES

The following livebearers are illegally released pet fishes and their progeny. None is native
to Montana. Their native ranges are in southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central
America. All are small -none found was larger than 3Vi inches. As of this writing four species
are known to be in a few warm spring streams and ponds. Many, males in particular, can
be identified using the pictures and color descriptions below. Females of the different species
are often difficult to tell apart. Their association with males will give clues. Crossbreeding
has created new varieties and color combinations that further confuse identification.

SAILFIN MOLLY

Poecilia latipinna

•dorsal fin long and high

MALE

gonopodium

OUTLINE OF FEMALE

COLOR: Two varieties. Black variety (shown in il-
lustration) is solid black. Green variety has olive
back shading to silvery sides with six to eight rows
of black dots and white underside,

COMMENT: Only the black variety has been
verified for Montana waters. Specimens were taken
from a warm spring at Beaverhead Rock in Madison
County.

SHORTFIN MOLLY

Poecilia mexicana

■ ■-

OUTLINE OF FEMALE

MALE

COLOR: Specimens from Montana have been near-
ly all black or heavily blotched with black on body
and fins. Some have orange on tail fin.

45

VARIABLE PLATYFISH

Xiphophorus variatus

OUTLINE OF FEMALE

COLOR: Variable However, a livebearer in Montana
waters with an orange-red tail fin and a golden dor-
sal fin is almost certain to be a Variable Platyfish.
The body is typically moss green.

COMMENT: Hybrids are common where this
species occurs with the Green Swordtail. Male
hybrids have a short sword.

GREEN SWORDTAIL

Xiphophorus helleri

&L

lower edge of tail fin
has swordlike extension

/

MALE

OUTLINE OF FEMALE

COLOR: Most are solid reddish orange, some are
reddish orange with black fins or reddish orange
with black mottling. Swordlike tail fin usually has
black edges. The classical green variety with red and
yellow stripes on sides is rare in Montana waters.

46

TROUT FAMILY
Salmonidae

Montana members of this family are Pacific salmons, trouts (including chars), whitefishes,
and Arctic Grayling. All have an adipose fin and pelvic axillary processes; the young of
most species have parr marks. Colors may vary with habitat, season, and sex.

COMPARISON OF ARCTIC GRAYLING, WHITEFISHES,
PACIFIC SALMONS, TROUTS, AND CHARS

Arctic Grayling

Whitefishes

dorsal fin large,
/saillike

mouth

moderately

large

scales larger, 99 or fewer scales in lateral line

scales smaller, 100 or more scales in lateral line

Pacific Salmons

Trouts including Chars
(see p. 96)

anal fin has 13 or more rays
(rarely 12), and its base
is longer than fin is deep
(A greater than B)

anal fin has 12 or fewer rays,
and its base is shorter than
fin is deep
(A less than B)

47

CHINOOK SALMON

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

black spots on dorsal fin,
back, and both lobes of tail fin

black gums at base
of lower teeth

A greater than B

24" (33")

OTHER NAME: King Salmon

COLOR: See p. 54.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Anal fin usually has
14 to 19 rays; its base is longer than base of dorsal fin.
Has 16 to 28 gill rakers on first arch. Breeding males
develop an elongated, hooked snout and enlarged
teeth. Females change little Breeding fish of both sexes
darken in color, males more than females.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Trouts have 12 or fewer rays in anal fin (it is deeper than its base is long).
(2) Coho Salmon has no spots on lower half of tail fin and lower gums are lighter colored. (3)
See Kokanee

HABITAT: Landlocked Chinook Salmon live in large, deep lakes and spawn in tributary streams.
The young may stay in the stream for a year or two before migrating downstream to the lake
Currendy there are no reproducing populations in Montana.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Natural range is Pacific Ocean. Adults ascend streams of
western North America and northeastern Asia to spawn.

COMMENT: In recent years Chinook Salmon, bred to spend their entire lives in freshwater,
have been stocked in Fort Peck Reservoir and the Missouri River downstream. It is hoped a
reproducing population can be developed as an egg source for future planting.

4H

COHO SALMON

Oncorhynchus kisutch

black spots on back, base of
dorsal fin, and upper lobe of tail fin

lower gums
white to gray
(see text)

A greater than B

13" (25")

no spots on lower
lobe of tail fin

OTHER NAME: Silver Salmon

COLOR: Bright silvery with steel-blue back Gums of
lower jaw gray (often dark gray) but top of gums along
teeth generally whitish. Males at spawning time have
bright-red sides, females are less brilliant.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Anal fin usually has
13 or more rays (range: 12 to 17); its base is longer
than base of dorsal fin. Has 18 to 25 gill rakers on first
arch. Breeding males develop an elongated, hooked
snout and enlarged teeth. Females change little

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Trouts have spotting patterns that differ from Coho Salmon, and 12
or fewer rays in the anal fin. See (2) Kokanee and (3) Chinook Salmon.

HABITAT: Lakes and reservoirs where planted.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Natural range is Pacific Ocean. Adults ascend streams of
western North America and northeastern Asia to spawn.

COMMENT: In the past, a number of lakes and reservoirs have been planted with Coho Salmon
with varying success. As expected, reproducing populations did not develop and the stocked
fish have died out. At the time of writing, this species is planted only sporadically.

49

KOKANEE

Oncorhynchus nerka

fine black specks on back

tail fin
moderately forked

A greater than B

12" (26'

BREEDING MALE

50

OTHER NAMES: Kokanee Salmon, Blueback, Silver

The lower fish is a breeding male When younger
he looked like the upper fish. In maturing he had
a striking color change and developed an elongated,
hooked snout, enlarged teeth, a small hump behind
the head, and embedded scales. A breeding female
changes less dramatically. Her color ranges from
dark gray with dark-green back to dull red with
dark red on the back.

COLOR: See p. 54.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Anal fin usually has 13 to 17 rays; its base is longer than base
of dorsal fin. Has 29 to 40 gill rakers on first arch.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Silver-colored Rainbow Trout are often miscalled Kokanee The anal
fin base of Rainbow and other trouts is shorter than the fin is deep; the Kokanee's anal fin
base is longer than the fin is deep (see illustrations at bottom of p. 47). Trouts have 26 or
fewer gill rakers on first arch; the Kokanee has 29 or more and these are longer, thinner,
and more crowded (see illustrations on next page). (2) Chinook Salmon and (3) Coho
Salmon have black spots on fins and back, and have 28 or fewer gill rakers on first arch (these
are stouter and more widely spaced than the Kokanee's).

HABITAT: Clear, cold lakes and reservoirs. Adults generally ascend streams to spawn, but
also spawn in suitable gravel areas in lakes.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Original range of Kokanee is lakes on the Pacific slope
in Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Also occurs
naturally in Japan and USSR.

COMMENT: The Kokanee is a landlocked Sockeye Salmon -a Pacific salmon. Both sexes
die after spawning. Kokanee travel in schools and the growth of individual fish depends
on population density. High density results in undesirably small fish due to intense com-
petition for food.

RAINBOW TROUT

Oncorhynchus mykiss1

pinkorredmidside
band often present

many small, irregularly shaped
black spots on head, body,
dorsal fin, and tail

12" (34")

tail fin slightly forked
(squarish on large fish)

OTHER NAMES: Silver (a Rainbow Trout with
silvery iridescence is sometimes miscalled a Silver 1
Salmon). Kamloops and Steelhead are strains of C
Rainbow Trout.

COLOR: See p. 55.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: The illustration
above (and on p. 55) typifies a Rainbow from a clear
stream. Individuals living in large or turbid lakes
or under ice tend to be iridescent silver.

L£J-..
widespread
in ponds

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Westslope Cutthroat Trout and (2) Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout have
distinct red to orange cutthroat slashes, their spots are concentrated toward the rear with
few or none on the snout, and they usually have tiny teeth behind the "tongue" Distinguishing
Westslope Cutthroat from Rainbow Trout is particularly difficult, since both are silvery with
irregularly shaped spots, both may have a pinkish midside band (usually a Rainbow Trout
characteristic), and some Rainbow have a faint yellow to reddish "cutthroat" slash on each
side under the jaw. Crosses between the Cutthroat subspecies and Rainbow Trout are com-
mon. Genetic analysis is required for positive identification. See (3) Golden Trout, (4) Brown
Trout, and (5) Kokanee

HABITAT: Clear, cool streams and lakes.

ORIGIN: A small portion of the native range is in eastern USSR. The principal range is in
western North America extending barely into northwestern Montana, where there are still
a few native populations that are designated fish of special concern. Except for these, all
Rainbow Trout populations in the state originated from hatchery fish.

COMMENT: Rainbow trout are the most numerous fish caught by Montana sport fishermen.

1 Recently the genus of several western North American trout species was changed from Salmo to Oncorhynchus.
In the new nomenclature the Rainbow Trout (previously Salmo gairdneri) became O. mykiss.

FIRST GILL ARCH

gill rakers

Kokanee

Rainbow Trout

51

WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT

Oncorhynchus1 clarki lewisi
(A subspecies of Cutthroat Trout)

small, irregularly shaped black spots,
few or none on snout

cutthroat slash-
one on each side
(weak on juveniles)

no spots, or very few,
on lower side

10" (18")

spots more dense
toward rear of fish

Pure-strain Westslope
Cutthroat Trout

MONTANA STATE FISH (shares this title with
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout).

OTHER NAMES: Flat, Native, Blackspotted Cut-
throat Trout, Redbelly, Mountain Trout, Upper
Missouri Cutthroat Trout

COLOR: See p. 55.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Tiny teeth usually

present on floor of mouth behind "tongue" These

are embedded in tissue and difficult to see but may be felt if brushed with the side of a needle

Lower sides red during spawning season.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout typically has yellow-brown hues,
whereas Westslope Cutthroat is usually silvery steel-gray with olive tints on back shading
to white underside Yellowstone has fewer, larger, and rounder black spots that are scattered
over entire body. Crosses of Westslope and Yellowstone Cutthroat trout are common. Genetic
analysis is required for positive identification of subspecies and crosses. See (2) Rainbow
Trout, (3) Golden Trout, and (4) Brown Trout.

HABITAT: Clear, cold streams and lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana west of the Continental Divide, and in some drainages east of
the divide where it is referred to as Upper Missouri Cutthroat Trout.

COMMENT: Displaced from most of its former range and designated a fish of special con-
cern. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks maintains a brood stock for lake
planting.

1 See footnote on p. 51.

52

COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS
OF GAME AND SPORT FISHES

The first length given is a typical adult size for the species; the second (in parentheses) is
the usual Montana maximum length.

,

,,.-'"'

\

¥
w

7

00

i— H

E

a

G

53

NORTHERN PIKE, p. 20

20" (45")

GOLDEYE, p. 21

12" (20")

CHINOOK SALMON, p. 48

24" (33")

§?3gr

12" (26")

KOKANEE, p. 50

breeding male

RAINBOW TROUT, p. 51 *

12" (34")

10" (18")

WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT, p. 52

^

10" (18")

YELLOWSTONE CUTTHROAT TROUT, p. 61

%>

^w.;*:-

10" (21")

GOLDEN TROUT, p. 62

55

BROWN TROUT, p. 63

13" (35")

BROOK TROUT, p. 64

^::'*---v.^y...

^

K1

BULL TROUT, p. 65

16" (37")

LAKE TROUT, p. 66

22" (44")

56

ARCTIC GRAYLING, p. 67

10" (18")

MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH, p. 68

12" (23")

CHANNEL CATFISH, p. 73

17" (37")

BLACK BULLHEAD, p. 74

7" (14")

57

w

BURBOT, p. 76

-*«

20" (39")

„ -*^.

^

BLACK CRAPPIE, p. 77

9" (16")

<<d4£~^>^

9" (15")

WHITE CRAPPIE, p. 78

58

PUMPKINSEED, p. 79

6" (8")

;k A

/m'

w

BLUEGILL, p. 80

6" (11")

/ . #, ■ .

GREEN SUNFISH, p. 81

5" (8")

6" (8")

v-

"*■ .

SMALLMOUTH BASS, p. 83

11" (19")

59

x^^v>

LARGEMOUTH BASS, p. 84

11" (21")

8" (15")

YELLOW PERCH, p. 90

3

*&

WALLEYE, p. 91

16" (32")

SAUGER, p. 91

60

YELLOWSTONE CUTTHROAT TROUT

Oncorhynchus1 clarki bouvieri
(A subspecies of Cutthroat Trout)

medium-large, rounded black spots
few or none on snout

cutthroat slash-
one on each side
(weak on juveniles)

spots more dense
toward rear of fish

10" (18")

MONTANA STATE FISH (shares this title with
Westslope Cutthroat Trout).

OTHER NAMES: Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout,
Blackspotted Trout, Native

COLOR: See p. 55.

"■ Pure-strain Yellowstone
Cutthroat Trout

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Tiny teeth usually
present on floor of mouth behind "tongue." These
are embedded in tissue and difficult to see but may
be felt if brushed with the side of a needle. Red on side of head and gill cover becomes in-
tense on breeding male.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Westslope Cutthroat Trout, (2) Rainbow Trout, (3) Golden Trout,
and (4) Brown Trout.

HABITAT: Clear, cold streams and lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana in Yellowstone River Drainage from Tongue River upstream.
Widely distributed due to stocking with hatchery fish.

COMMENT: Because there has been a continual, significant loss in natural populations,
the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout is designated a fish of special concern. Montana Depart-
ment of Fish, Wildlife and Parks maintains a brood stock for lake planting.

1 See footnote on p. 51.

61

GOLDEN TROUT

Oncorhynchus1 aguabonita

black spots scattered
across upper body

numerous spots on caudal peduncle,
dorsal fin, and tail fin

10-12 parr marks
(may persist in adults)

170 or more scales
in lateral line

10" (21")

white
fin tips

COLOR: See p. 55.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Rainbow Trout is densely
covered with irregularly shaped black spots and
usually has 160 or fewer scales in lateral line (2) Cut-
throat Trout has cutthroat slashes, usually has at least
a few small teeth on base of "tongue," and pelvic and
anal fins do not have white tips. (3) Hybrid golden
trout (Golden Trout crossed with Rainbow Trout or
Cutthroat Trout) are found in a number of mountain
lakes. Positive identification can be made only by
genetic analysis.

HABITAT: In Montana, alpine lakes; also successful in clear, cool lakes at lower elevations.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native only to the upper Kern River Basin in California.

COMMENT: Pure-strain Golden Trout are present in about 20 mountain lakes or moun-
tain lake chains in western and south-central Montana. This species is considered by many
to be the most beautiful of all North American trouts.

1 See footnote on p. 51.

62

BROWN TROUT

Salmo trutta

background color
usually golden brown

tail fin squarish with
few spots or none

13" (35")

black or brown spots
often with light halos

red or orange spots on
sides with light halos

OTHER NAMES: Loch Leven Trout, German Brown
(Von Behr) Trout

COLOR: See p. 56.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: May lack red and
orange spots. Black (or brown) spots may be irreg-
ularly shaped or rounded. Spots with halos on gill
cover are a clue (if present) that a trout is a Brown
Trout. Fish living in large or turbid lakes or under
ice acquire a silvery iridescence that often hides most of the spotting.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Brook Trout has wavy lines on back and intense white edge on anal
fin and paired fins. (2) Rainbow Trout and (3) Cutthroat Trout have many spots in rows on
tail fin, do not have red spots or halos around spots.

HABITAT: Valley streams and rivers; also lakes and reservoirs with suitable spawning
tributaries.

ORIGIN: Native to Europe and western Asia; introduced into Montana. The Von Behr and
Loch Leven were the original varieties of Brown Trout brought from Germany and Scotland,
respectively. They are now irretrievably mixed.

63

BROOK TROUT

Salvelinus fontinalis

wavy lines (worm tracks)
on back and dorsal fin

red spots with blue halos

white leading edge on fins set off
by black line

9" (16")

tail fin slightly forked
or squarish

OTHER NAMES: Eastern Brook Trout, Squaretail

COLOR: See p. 56.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Bull Trout, (2) Lake
Trout, and (3) Brown Trout. (4) Brook Trout occa-
sionally hybridize with Brown Trout. The offspring,
called Tiger Trout, have the markings of a tiger or
giraffe They are very rare since mortality of eggs and
newly hatched fish is high and hybrids reaching
adulthood are usually sterile.

Brook Trout
and Tiger Trout

HABITAT: Clear, cold, well-oxygenated streams and lakes. Prefers small, spring-fed streams
and ponds with aquatic vegetation. They often overpopulate and are too small to attract
fishermen.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native to northeastern North America as far west as
Minnesota and in the Appalachian Mountains south to Georgia.

Tiger Trout

' * ' f ^

x\

64

BULL TROUT

Salvelinus confluentus

dorsal fin translucent

pale-yellow spots on back

red or orange spots on side

...

16" (37")

white leading edge on fins

tail fin slightly forked,
shortest ray more than
V2 length of longest

OTHER NAME: Dolly Varden

COLOR: See p. 56.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Dorsal and tail fins 1
sometimes have a few pale spots.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Brook Trout has wavy lines
on back and dorsal fin, blue halos around its red
spots, and the white leading edge of lower fins is set
off by a black line (2) See Lake Trout.

HABITAT: Primarily large, coldwater streams and lakes; also smaller waters. Lake dwellers
ascend streams to spawn.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: Bull Trout hybridize with Brook Trout but almost all the hybrids are sterile
About 40% of our Bull Trout streams also have Brook Trout, and the Brook Trout is often
the dominant species. In this situation the Brook Trout is investing proportionately less in
sterile mating than the Bull Trout. Through time, due to this factor alone, it is possible for
the Brook Trout to replace the Bull Trout. This hybridization may be an important cause
of the decline of Bull Trout in Montana. It is now a fish of special concern.

65

LAKE TROUT

Salvelinus namaycush

numerous light spots,
none red or orange

22" (44")

white leading edge often present on fins

tail fin deeply forked,
shortest ray less than
V2 length of longest

OTHER NAME: Mackinaw Trout

COLOR: See p. 56.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: May have wavy lines
on back. Fins may have traces of orange

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Bull Trout has fewer spots
and some that are orange or red, dark background
color does not extend as far down sides, and tail fin
is not as deeply forked. (2) Brook Trout has nearly
square tail fin and red spots with blue halos.

HABITAT: Deep, cold lakes and reservoirs.

ORIGIN: Original range is in parts of Alaska, most of Canada, and northernmost United
States from Montana to the East Coast. Native to Montana in Elk, Twin, Saint Mary, and Water-
ton lakes.

66

ARCTIC GRAYLING

Thymallus arcticus

dorsal fin large,
saillike, colorful

scales large

black spots mostly on
front half of body

10" (18")

OTHER NAME: Montana Grayling

COLOR: See p. 57.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Whitefishes, (2) trouts, and
(3) salmons do not have saillike dorsal fin.

HABITAT: Today, primarily small, cold, clear lakes
with tributaries suitable for spawning. Does not
coexist well with other fishes except Cutthroat
Trout and others with which it evolved.

ORIGIN: Native range extends from northwestern Canada across Alaska to Siberia. Also,
isolated populations survived the last glaciation south of the ice sheet in present-day Mon-
tana and Michigan. It is now extinct in Michigan.

COMMENT: Historically a stream fish in Missouri River Drainage upstream from Great Falls.
Its range has been reduced until it is now a fish of special concern. About 30 lakes have
fishable populations. Few stream populations remain, mostly in the Big Hole River Drainage

67

MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH

Prosopium williamsoni

body almost round
in cross section

one flap of skin
between nostrils
on each side

12" (23")

distinct notch beneath
pupil in membrane
surrounding eye

74 or more scales in lateral line

OTHER NAME: Rocky Mountain Whitefish

COLOR: See p. 57.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Mouth overhung by
snout.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) The largest Pygmy White-
fish is only about 8 inches long; it has a more
rounded snout and fewer scales in lateral line (2)
Trouts and (3) Salmons have larger mouth and
smaller scales. See (4) Lake Whitefish and (5) Arctic Grayling.

HABITAT: Medium-sized and large, clear, cold rivers; also some lakes and reservoirs.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

PYGMY WHITEFISH

Prosopium coulteri

eye large

snout bluntly
rounded

body almost round ...
in cross section y'

.*&

^m^^"

\

\

70 or fewer scales in lateral line

5" (8")

68

COLOR: Silvery except for olive-brown back.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Mouth overhung by
snout. Has one flap of skin between nostrils on each
side, and membrane surrounding eye has distinct
notch below pupil (see Mountain Whitefish for
illustration).

SIMILAR SPECIES: A large eye on a small whitefish
is a field clue indicating a Mountain Whitefish. See
(1) Mountain Whitefish and (2) Lake Whitefish.

HABITAT: Deep, cold lakes; adults ascend streams to spawn.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

LAKE WHITEFISH

Coregonus clupeaformis

two flaps of skin
between nostrils
on each side

body deep and
flat sided

mouth overhung
by snout

no notch below pupil in
membrane surrounding eye

13" (27")

COLOR: Silvery, with olive to light-brown back.

SIMILAR SPECIES: This is the only Montana
whitefish which does not have a distinct notch
below pupil in membrane surrounding eye The
Mountain Whitefish and Pygmy Whitefish have
nearly round bodies and only one flap of skin be-
tween nostrils. See Cisco.

HABITAT: Primarily deep, clear, cold lakes where
it is found mostly at depths of 50 to 90 feet. Comes
into shallower water to spawn, rarely ascends tributary streams. Thrives in Fresno Reser-
voir, a shallow, warm, often-turbid reservoir.

ORIGIN: Native to the Great Lakes, some New England Lakes, and lakes all across Canada
and Alaska. May be native to Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park.

69

CISCO

Coregonus artedii

flat sided

(body depth variable)

( i«

mouth at end of

snout 14" (16'

OTHER NAMES: Lake Herring, Tullibee

COLOR: Silvery, somewhat darker on back. P'TTWir?' vyt~ TC"

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Lower jaw often pro- R^ SpT^^C^

trudes slightly with mouth closed, but jaws may be ^-^i^v^^^ )/j\

equal or upper may be slightly longer. Has 38 or ^-vc^^Tv rACM (C-^J>C ll

more gill rakers on first arch, two flaps of skin be- // vS/ \ ^^—-i^O— r"5\!^

tween nostrils (see Lake Whitefish for illustration), slxT^/^n^^^Ah / ( / \f\

and membrane surrounding eye has distinct notch u VS / \$J_(Jf^ £_2- L- -Al-^
below pupil (see Mountain Whitefish for illustration). H}^^

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other Montana whitefishes have a less sharp snout that overhangs
mouth, and less than 34 gill rakers on first arch.

HABITAT: Large, cold, clear lakes.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native to north-central and northeastern United States
and most of Canada.

COMMENT: A reproducing population has become established in Fort Peck Reservoir as
the result of heavy plants from 1984 to 1986. It was introduced as forage for sport fishes.

SMELT FAMILY
Osmeridae

Smelts are small, slender, silvery fishes with an adipose fin and no pelvic axillary process.
There is only one species in Montana.

RAINBOW SMELT

Osmerus mordax

body long and thin

v

adipose fin

mouth large with
strong, sharp teeth

v \

anal fin base long

7" (12")

COLOR: Silvery with pink and purple iridescence,
greenish on back.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Scales thin and eas-
ily rubbed off. Breeding males feel like sandpaper
due to numerous small nuptial tubercles on head,
body, and fins.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Members of trout family
have an axillary process at the base of each pelvic
fin. (2) See Trout-perch.

HABITAT: For landlocked rainbow smelt, large coldwater lakes. Adults ascend streams to
spawn.

ORIGIN: Original range is off Atlantic Coast; adults ascend streams to spawn. Naturally
landlocked in many inland waters in northeastern North America; has come upstream into
Montana from Lake Sakakawea (created by Garrison Dam) in North Dakota, where it was
introduced.

COMMENT: Smelt have a strong fishy odor. This may account for their name

TROUT-PERCH FAMILY
Percopsidae

Trout-perches have characteristics of both soft-rayed and spiny-rayed fishes. They have an
adipose fin like the trouts, yet look somewhat like members of the perch family. One species
occurs in Montana.

TROUT-PERCH

Percopsis omiscomaycus

adipose fin

3"

tip of pectoral fin extends
behind pelvic fin base

COLOR: Silvery with translucent effect; dark spots

in rows on upper half of body. __

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Dorsal, anal, and &^'^^^C3^>^C3^
pelvic fins have weak spines. Teeth are small and v^ f\ "Xftr^ — '^\r^-^i^M~A^^
in brushlike bands. \vL \Vy >\.^S ^ Y/\\

SIMILAR SPECIES: In (1) Rainbow Smelt and (2) \ffi\L\ ^^f~r?^

members of trout family tip of pectoral fin does not }1^(7t?^^)^^>^Aa /( ) \f\

extend behind front of pelvic fin. (3) Members of \a /) ( \kJ_(_ 42_r /L.1../.--^-^--^

perch family lack an adipose fin. \}^y=sW

HABITAT: Typically lakes but also clear to moderately turbid streams, particularly when
spawning.

ORIGIN: Native in Montana and in a broad band extending southeastward from Alaska
across much of Canada to Kansas and West Virginia. Currently the only Montana records
are for Lower Saint Mary Lake; therefore, it is a fish of special concern. It is anticipated more
will be found in the South Saskatchewan River Drainage within the state

BULLHEAD CATFISH FAMILY
Ictaluridae

This family is characterized by scaleless fishes with eight long "cat's whiskers" (barbels)
and an adipose fin. A mild venom is associated with the spine in dorsal and pectoral fins
(see Stonecat).

CHANNEL CATFISH

Ictalurus punctatus

black spots

usually present adipose fin

/

tail fin
deeply forked

17" (37")

COLOR: See p. 57.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Other Montana catfishes do
not have a deeply forked tail fin.

HABITAT: Large rivers and lowland lakes. Thrives
at water temperatures above 70° F. Tolerates mod-
erately turbid water.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

73

BLACK BULLHEAD

Ictalurus melas

tail fin

slightly notched

7" (14")

17-21 anal fin rays
including rudimentary rays

chin barbels black,
black spotted, or gray

COLOR: See p. 57.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Rear edge of spine
in pectoral fin smooth or nearly so. Membranes be-
tween fin rays darker than rays.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Yellow Bullhead has white
or light-colored chin barbels (no black pigment)
and 24 or more rays in anal fin. See (2) Stonecat and
(3) Channel Catfish.

HABITAT: Turbid, mud-bottomed lakes and ponds; also pools and backwaters of streams.
Tolerates high water temperatures and low levels of dissolved oxygen.

ORIGIN: Native range extends from southern Canada to the Gulf States and extreme north-
ern Mexico, and from the Appalachian Mountains to as far west as North Dakota. Probably
not native to Montana.

YELLOW BULLHEAD

Ictalurus natalis

tail fin squarish or rounded

7" (13")

24-27 anal fin rays
including rudimentary rays

chin barbels white or light colored

(no black pigment or spots)
COLOR: Overall yellowish brown to yellow, back
darker, underside yellow or white. Young usually
dark brown or black, with white on underside and
lower barbels.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Rear edge of spine
in pectoral fin has sawlike teeth.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Black Bullhead, (2)
Stonecat, and (3) Channel Catfish.

HABITAT: Weedy, shallow, clear- water areas of lakes and slow-moving streams.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native in eastern North America as far west as eastern
North Dakota and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.

STONECAT

Noturus flavus

eyes almost on
top of head

adipose fin a keellike
ridge narrowly connected to
tail fin

6" (10")

tail fin square or
somewhat rounded

COLOR: Overall yellowish brown, back darker,
underside light yellow or white.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Other Montana catfishes
have flaplike adipose fin; in addition, Channel Cat- ^
fish has forked tail fin. (2) See Burbot.

HABITAT: Swift-water areas of streams among
rocks or under logs; also lakes over sand and gravel
bottom where there is wave action.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: Handle Stonecats carefully for spines in their fins have well-developed poison
glands and can inflict a beelike sting. Ordinarily this is not dangerous unless there is a secon-
dary infection. The venom apparatus is less developed in bullheads and Channel Catfish.

75

CODFISH FAMILY
Gadidae

Codfishes have long bodies. All fins are soft rayed and the pelvic fins are located far forward.
The Burbot is the only freshwater member of this family.

BURBOT

Lota lota

long eellike body

second dorsal fin long

single chin
barbel

anal fin long

tail fin rounded

20" (39")

OTHER NAME: Ling

COLOR: See p. 58.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Skin appears
smooth, but tiny embedded scales are present.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Montana catfishes have eight
barbels and pelvic fins are placed much farther
back on body.

HABITAT: Large rivers; cold, deep lakes and reservoirs.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

STICKLEBACK FAMILY
Gasterosteidae

Sticklebacks are small fishes with a series of separate spines on the back in front of a soft-
rayed dorsal fin. There is one representative of this family in Montana waters.

BROOK STICKLEBACK

Culaea inconstans

5 spines (rarely 4 or 6) on back

76

pelvic fin small --

(one spine and one soft ray) —

COLOR: Olive green with mottling or light spots
on sides; underside light yellow to silver. During
breeding season males are black with tinges of red;
females may be dusky. v

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body smooth, with-
out scales, but with minute bony plates about the
pores on the lateral line.

HABITAT: Associated with dense vegetation in slow,
clear streams and shallow lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

2"(2V2")

SUNFISH FAMILY
Centrarchidae

This family contains not only the sunfishes and Rock Bass, but also the crappies and black
basses (they are not actually black). The dorsal fin has spiny- and soft-rayed portions which
are broadly (or, in the black basses, narrowly) joined into a single fin. The paired fins are
nearly one above the other.

BLACK CRAPPIE

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

A equal to or less than B
A 1 B

dorsal fin has 7 or 8 spines

side has dark blotches
in irregular pattern

9" (16")

OTHER NAME: Calico Bass

COLOR: See p. 58.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Fish from turbid
water may be lighter colored.

SIMILAR SPECIES: White Crappie's dorsal fin has
a shorter base, is set farther back, and has 5 or 6
spines (rarely 7) compared with the Black Crappie's
7 or 8. White Crappie has vague vertical bands on
sides.

HABITAT: Lakes, reservoirs, and slow portions of streams in areas with sandy to mucky bot-
toms. Prefers clear water and abundant cover such as submerged timber or aquatic vegetation.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native in central and eastern North America west of
the Appalachian Mountains from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast, and north on the
Atlantic Coast from Florida to Virginia.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Pomoxis annularis

A greater than B
A 1 B

dorsal fin has

5 or 6 (rarely 7) spines

side has vague
dark vertical bands

9" (15'

COLOR: See p. 58.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See Black Crappie.

HABITAT: Lakes and reservoirs and slow portions
of streams. Seeks weedy areas, logs, and other pro-
tective cover. Seems more tolerant of turbid water
than Black Crappie.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native from
eastern South Dakota and southern Great Lakes
region to the Gulf Coast and west to Texas.

78

PUMPKINSEED

Lepomis gibbosus

ear flap has bright-red

or orange spot on rear edge

upper jaw does not
extend past front

of eye |

GILL RAKERS
ON FIRST ARCH

cheek has
wavy blue lines

6" (8")

pectoral fin
long and pointed

moderately long and slender (Bluegill)

short and stubby (Pumpkinseed)
drawing by Vern Craig

OTHER NAME: Common Sunfish
COLOR: See p. 58.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Gill rakers short and
stubby (see illustration).

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Bluegill has completely
black ear flap, longer gill rakers, and black blotch
on rear of dorsal fin. See (2) Green Sunfish and (3)
Rock Bass.

HABITAT: Ponds, small lakes, margins of large lakes, and slow streams. Prefers areas with
aquatic vegetation and submerged brush.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native to north-central and eastern North America.

79

BLUEGILL

Lepomis macrochirus

upper jaw does not
extend past front
of eye i

dorsal fin has dark blotch

ear flap black to edge

pectoral fin long
and pointed

■<?*■•

6" (11")

OTHER NAME: Bluegill Sunfish
COLOR: See p. 59.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Gill rakers moder-
ately long and slender (see p. 79 for illustration).
Ear flap smaller on females and young males than
on adult males. Young have dark vertical bars on
sides.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Pumpkinseed, (2)
Green Sunfish, and (3) Rock Bass.

HABITAT: Areas of aquatic vegetation in comparatively warm ponds and lakes; slow, weedy
streams.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Original range includes most of central and eastern
United States north into southern Canada.

COMMENT: The name bluegill comes from the bluish color on the lower part of the gill

GREEN SUNFISH

Lepomis cyanellus

spiny portion of dorsal fin almost
level on top and noticeably
shorter than soft-rayed portion

\

upper jaw extends
beneath pupil |
of eye in adult i Jtr:

dorsal and anal fins usually
have dark blotches at rear

,7*
I

\

5" (8")

pectoral fin rounded

ear flap black with whitish,
yellowish, or pink margin

COLOR: See p. 59.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body robust. Gill
rakers long and slender. Breeding males have light-
colored fringe on dorsal, anal, and tail fins.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Bluegill and (2) Pumpkin-
seed have smaller mouth and pointed, usually
longer, pectoral fins. Bluegill has completely black
ear flap; Pumpkinseed has short, stubby gill rakers. Both are usually deeper bodied than
the Green Sunfish. (3) See Rock Bass.

HABITAT: Slow-moving streams at lower elevations and shallows of lakes. Tolerates turbid
water, high temperatures, and low dissolved oxygen.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Original range includes much of central and eastern
North America west of the Allegheny Mountains from the Great Lakes region south to
Georgia and northeastern Mexico.

81

ROCK BASS

Ambloplites rupestris

eye usually bright-red
to orange

side has spots
in horizontal rows

6" (8")

upper jaw extends at least to
middle of eye

anal fin has 5-7 spines

OTHER NAMES: Redeye, Goggle Eye

COLOR: See p. 59.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body robust.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Pumpkinseed, (2) Bluegill,
and (3) Green Sunfish lack the red eye and rows
of spots on the side, and have only 3 spines in the
anal fin.

HABITAT: Pools of clear, rocky-bottomed streams; rocky, shallow areas of lakes. Seeks
moderately warm water. In Montana found only in Tongue River Drainage.

ORIGIN: Native range is from southern Canada through central and eastern United States
west of the Appalachian Mountains to Florida and Louisiana. Was introduced into the Tongue
River in Wyoming and moved downstream into Montana.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Micropterus dolomieui

eye usually red
or orange

shallow notch in dorsal fin

upper jaw does
not extend behind
rear margin of eye

cheek stripes

11" (19")

bars fade
with age

OTHER NAMES: Northern Smallmouth Bass,
Smallmouth Black Bass, Bronze-back

COLOR: See p. 59.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Length of longest
dorsal spine is less than twice the length of shortest
dorsal spine at notch. Young have tricolored tail fin
with yellow or orange innermost, a dark vertical
band in center, and a whitish outer edge.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See Largemouth Bass.

HABITAT: Over boulders and to lesser extent over gravel in cool, clear lakes and streams.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native from Minnesota to Quebec extending southward
to Oklahoma and Alabama.

83

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Micropterus salmoides

upper jaw usually
extends behind eye
in adult

dorsal fin almost completely
divided by deep notch

11" (21")

dark midside band
(faded or absent on adults)

OTHER NAME: Largemouth Black Bass

COLOR: See p. 60.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Length of longest
dorsal spine at least twice the length of shortest dor-
sal spine at notch. Young have a bicolored tail fin,
the rear part being darker than the forward part.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Smallmouth Bass has a smaller

mouth and a broader connection between spiny -

and soft-rayed portions of dorsal fin. It is more streamlined, tends to brownish hue

(Largemouth to blackish), has prominent stripes on cheek, and lacks dark midside band

that is so prominent on young Largemouth.

HABITAT: Clear, mud-bottomed lakes and stream backwaters. Seeks areas with comparative-
ly warm summer water temperatures and ample aquatic vegetation.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native from southern Canada southward through the
Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley to the Gulf Coast, and north on the Atlantic Coast from
Florida to Virginia.

84

DRUM FAMILY
Sciaenidae

Drums are basslike, spiny-rayed fishes that are unique in having the lateral line cross the
tail fin. Montana has one representative of this family.

FRESHWATER DRUM

Aplodinotus grunniens

hump shouldered

dorsal fin has long base and distinct notch

••%

14" (33")

tail fin rounded

OTHER NAME: Sheepshead

COLOR: Silvery with a pearl-gray back.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: This is the only
Montana fish in which the lateral line goes to the
rear edge of tail fin.

HABITAT: Large streams, large lakes, and reservoirs.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: The Drum's unusually large otoliths (ear bones) are ivorylike and prized as
"lucky bones." This fish is named for the drumming sound, heard mostly during the sum-
mer, produced by special muscles acting on the air bladder.

85

SCULPIN FAMILY
Cottidae

Sculpins are small, bottom-dwelling, spiny-rayed (most spines are weak) fishes with large,
flattened heads and fanlike pectoral fins. The long dorsal fin has spiny-rayed and soft-rayed
portions which are usually narrowly divided. Scales are absent or reduced, and in many
species the body is partly covered with prickles.

These fishes are variable in structure and color, often making identification perplexing even
for fisheries biologists. The development of palatine teeth is useful in separating some
species. They are in the roof of the mouth on a pair of bones that extend outward and rear-
ward on each side as shown below.

palatine teeth

Adapted from: J.D. McPhail
and C.C. Lindsey, Freshwater
Fishes of Northwestern
Canada and Alaska, Fish.
Res. Bd. Canada Bull. 173,
1970.

The presence of palatine teeth may be determined by carefully brushing the area where
they should occur with the side of a needle Care should be taken not to mistake other teeth
on the roof of the mouth for the palatines.

MOTTLED SCULPIN

Coitus bairdi

pectoral fin usually ^%
has 15-16 rays

lateral line usually incomplete,
ending under rear of 2nd dorsal fin

'%■' i

3" (5V2'

OTHER NAMES: Bullhead, Muddler

COLOR: Back and sides slate to brown with mot-
tling and dark blotches. May have two or three dark
saddles under second dorsal fin. Underside whitish.
First dorsal fin fringed with orange or red in spawn-
ing males.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Palatine teeth present.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Shorthead Sculpin usually has 13 to 14 pectoral fin rays, compared
with Mottled's usual 15 to 16. In Montana the Shorthead is in the Columbia River Drainage
whereas the Mottled is in the Missouri, Yellowstone and Saint Mary river drainages. (2) See
Slimy Sculpin.

HABITAT: Cold streams; to a lesser extent, rocky shorelines of lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

SHOKTHEAD SCULPIN

Coitus confusus

lateral line incomplete, ending
under rear of 2nd dorsal fin

pectoral fin usually
has 13-14 rays

OTHER NAME: Bullhead

COLOR: Overall brownish to dusky, mottled. Un-
derside light with fine speckles.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Palatine teeth pres-
ent in short, narrow row.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Mottled Sculpin and (2)
Slimy Sculpin.

HABITAT: Riffles of small, cold, clear streams; sometimes found in large streams.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: Reported in only a few Montana streams and designated a fish of special
concern.

SLIMY SCULPIN

Coitus cognatus

lateral line incomplete, ending
under center of 2nd dorsal fin

OTHER NAME: Bullhead

skin slimy,
almost no prickles

3" (4")

COLOR: Back and sides brown to black with mot- (7^7
tling, dark bands often present. Underside white. r^J,
First dorsal fin fringed with orange in breeding
males.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: No palatine teeth.

Pelvic fin has 3 or 4 soft rays; if a fourth (inner) ray

is present, it is usually less than two-thirds the

length of the longest. Other Montana sculpins have

4 fully developed soft rays. Note: Sculpin pelvic fins have 1 spine in addition to the soft

rays. It is encased in a fleshy membrane with the first (outer) ray and is not distinct.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Mottled Sculpin and (2) Shorthead Sculpin have palatine teeth.

HABITAT: Rocky riffles of cold, clear streams; also stony shallows in clear lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

87

TORRENT SCULPIN

Coitus rhoiheus

head large

two forward-slanting dark bands
under 2nd dorsal fin

lateral line complete

3" (5V2")

OTHER NAME: Bullhead

COLOR: Gray brown with black speckling. Nor-
mally two forward-slanting dark bands under sec-
ond dorsal fin. Underside light, chin strongly mot-
tled. First dorsal fin fringed with orange in breeding
male.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Palatine teeth pres-
ent. Body robust. Usually has coarse prickles on
back, sides, and sometimes on caudal peduncle

SIMILAR SPECIES: Torrent Sculpin is told from other Montana sculpins by its large head,
strongly mottled chin, and distinctly forward-slanting dark bands on sides.

HABITAT: Riffles of cold, clear streams; to a lesser extent, the rocky shoals of large lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

upper spine on gill cover long
curved upward and inward like
a bison's horn

SPOONHEAD SCULPIN

Coitus ricei

head wide and flat
OTHER NAME: Bullhead

3" (4")

lateral line complete

COLOR: Light brown with two to four saddles
under second dorsal fin that extend to lateral line. Y;
Underside whitish.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: No palatine teeth.
Body slender. One pore on midline under tip of
chin. Prickles often dense (may cover entire body),
but sometimes sparse or absent.

SIMILAR SPECIES: No other Montana sculpin has the "bison horn" spine on gill cover, and
the others have two pores under tip of chin.

HABITAT: Small, swift streams to larger rivers and deep lakes.

ORIGIN: Naturally distributed from northwestern Canada to Great Lakes region. In Mon-
tana known only from Glacier National Park until 1986, when one was removed from the
stomach of a Lake Trout caught in Lower Saint Mary Lake just outside the eastern park
boundary.

COMMENT: Designated a fish of special concern due to its limited distribution in Montana.

TEMPERATE BASS FAMILY
Percichthyidae

These are slab-sided, moderately deep-bodied, spiny-rayed fishes with numerous teeth and
strong jaws. The first dorsal fin is entirely separate from the second or slightly joined at
the base, and there are three spines in the anal fin. The only Montana representative is
distinguished from other spiny-rayed fishes by prominent horizontal dark stripes on its side

WHITE BASS

Morone chrysops

dark horizontal
stripes on body

.

V *

10" (13")

COLOR: Silvery with five to seven dark horizon-
tal stripes on side Eye tinted with yellow.

SIMILAR SPECIES: No other Montana spiny-rayed
fish has horizontal stripes on its side

HABITAT: Deep pools in rivers and open water of

large clear lakes and reservoirs. ^^C^^h^fp^f K /f i)f\

ORIGIN: Not native to Montana. Native range ex-
tends from the St. Lawrence River in eastern Canada
through the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Drainage south to Louisiana and Texas. The
White Bass found in Montana apparently came upstream from Lake Sakakawea (created
by Garrison Dam) in North Dakota, where they have been planted.

89

PERCH FAMILY
Percidae

These spiny-rayed fishes have two well-separated dorsal fins - the front one has spines,
and the rear one has all or nearly all soft rays. The paired fins are nearly one above the other.

YELLOW PERCH

Perca flavescens

body moderately long
and somewhat flat sided

8" (15")

side yellow to yellow green
with 6-8 dark vertical bands

OTHER NAME: Perch

COLOR: See p. 60.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Many small teeth
but no canine teeth. Anal fin has 2 spines and 6 to
8 soft rays. Lower fins reddish orange in breeding
males.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Small Yellow Perch might
be mistaken for young Walleye or Sauger. The lat-
ter two have large canine or tearing teeth, and 11 to 14 soft rays in the anal fin. See (2) Iowa
Darter.

HABITAT: Warm to cool, clear lakes with moderate amount of vegetation; to a lesser ex-
tent, slow, weedy streams.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Original range is southern portion of west-central
through eastern Canada; north-central and northeastern United States; and along the Atlantic
Coast from Nova Scotia to South Carolina.

WALLEYE

Stizostedion vitreum

first dorsal fin
has dark blotch

cheek has few
or no scales

16" (32")

outer margin of anal fin and
lower tip of tail fin white
OTHER NAMES: Walleyed Pike, Yellow Pikeperch

COLOR: See p. 60.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Jaws and roof of
mouth have large canine teeth. Anal fin has 2 spines
and 11 to 14 (usually 12 or 13) soft rays. Body often
has golden hue.

SIMILAR SPECIES: See (1) Sauger, (2) Yellow Perch,
and (3) Iowa Darter.

HABITAT: Primarily large lakes and reservoirs; to a lesser extent, rivers.

ORIGIN: Introduced into Montana. Native to much of Canada and eastern United States.

SAUGER

Stizostedion canadense

first dorsal fin has rows of rounded
— spots

cheek mostly scaled

' ^

/

lower edge of
tail fin white

13" (26")

OTHER NAME: Sand Pike
COLOR: See p. 60.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Jaws and roof of
mouth have large canine teeth. Body almost round
in cross section. Anal fin has 2 spines and 11 to 14
(usually 12 or 13) soft rays. Body often has grayish
hue with dark blotches.

SIMILAR SPECIES: (1) Walleye has large, dark spot

at rear of first dorsal fin; lower lobe of tail fin is white; cheeks have few scales if any. Walleye

and Sauger are known to hybridize in Montana. See (2) Yellow Perch and (3) Iowa Darter.

HABITAT: Rivers; shallows of lakes and reservoirs. Seems to prefer turbid water.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

91

IOWA DARTER

Etheostoma exile

mouth small

tail fin squarish
or rounded

teardrop

pectoral fin
large, fan shaped

COLOR: Overall greenish or brownish with 7 to 10
saddle bands across back. Dark blotches on side,
underside light. Breeding males have 9 to 12 dark-
blue blotches on side alternating with rust red;
underside has orange wash. First dorsal fin has blue
band along base, a reddish band above this, and a
narrow blue band along outer edge.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Body slender, eye
large, lateral line incomplete.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Could be mistaken for young Yellow Perch, Walleye, or Sauger; however,
these have a forked tail fin (well forked on Walleye and Sauger, slightly forked on Yellow
Perch) and lack the teardrop marking under the eye

HABITAT: Clear, weedy, slow-moving streams and shallows of lakes.

ORIGIN: Native to Montana.

COMMENT: One of our smallest native fishes, the Iowa Darter is a bottom dweller. It moves
by short, quick dashes, hence the name "darter"

SPAWNING SEASONS

Both water temperature and light are important in controlling the reproductive
rhythm of seasonal spawners. Typical spawning seasons for Montana fishes are:

Spring

Spring or Summer

Fall

Rainbow Trout

Golden Trout

Brown Trout

Cutthroat Trout

Largemouth Bass

Brook Trout

Arctic Grayling

Sunfishes

Bull Trout

Northern Pike

Paddlefish

Lake Trout

Goldeye

Sturgeon Family

Kokanee1

Smallmouth Bass

Bullhead Catfish Family

Chinook Salmon1

Rock Bass

Sucker Family

Coho Salmon1

White Bass

Minnow Family

Whitefishes

Crappies

Plains Killifish

(including Cisco)

Yellow Perch

Trout-Perch

Walleye

Sauger

Winter

Iowa Darter

Burbot

Rainbow Smelt

Freshwater Drum

Shortnose Gar

1 Pacific salmon die after spawning.

Sculpin Family

Brook Stickleback

1

PROCEDURE FOR HAVING A FISH DECLARED A STATE RECORD

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks administers the record fish program.
There are three requirements for having a fish declared a record:

1. It must be legally caught in Montana.

2. It should be weighed before witnesses on a government-inspected scale such as those
found in most grocery stores, and the weight should be certified by a department employee
If a department employee is not present, an affidavit from the store will suffice. The fish's
length -measured from the tip of the snout to the farthest tip of the tail fin -is also desirable
information; it, too, should be certified by a department employee or other witness.

3. Identification must be verified by a qualified person, preferably a department employee.
For some species, a good photograph will suffice.

Give the information to a department employee or send it to Conservation Education Divi-
sion, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 E. Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT
59620.

drawing by Vern Craig

93

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OS

ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION: Did migrating sea-run salmon or Steelhead ever reach Montana?

ANSWER: Fisheries scientists have scoured published and unpublished records of the
historical spawning areas of Pacific salmons and Steelhead (Rainbow Trout that go to sea
when young and return to freshwater to spawn), and there is no evidence that these fishes
reached Montana, at least not since the last glaciation. Their migrations were evidently
blocked by waterfalls. However, White Sturgeon and Rainbow Trout occur naturally in Mon-
tana's portion of the Kootenai River Drainage downstream from Kootenai Falls. Both had
their origins on the Pacific Coast, and the fact they are in Montana leads to the conjecture
that spawning runs of Pacific salmons and/or Steelhead also could have reached this sec-
tion of the Kootenai River at one time

QUESTION: Why do some trout have pink flesh while others have white flesh?

ANSWER: Flesh color is related to a trout's diet. Trouts, along with salmons and some other
fishes, can extract carotenoid pigmented oils from food and incorporate these oils into their
flesh. Crustaceans (for example, water fleas, scuds, and crayfishes) are rich in pigmented
oils. Trout with a diet high in crustaceans have pink flesh and salmon-colored eggs; those
eating insects and other foods with little or no pigmented oils have white flesh and cream-
colored eggs.

QUESTION: What are cold, cool, and warmwater fishes?

ANSWER: Fish are coldblooded -that is, their temperature is about the same as the water
surrounding them. This greatly influences their biology and, in turn, their distribution.
Members of the trout family are adapted to live in water temperatures lower than 65° F and
are examples of coldwater fishes. Sunfishes are known as warmwater fishes. To thrive they
must have summer water temperatures of 75° F and higher. Northern Pike, Walleye, and
Yellow Perch prefer summer temperatures in the midrange, 65° to 75° F, and have come
to be known as coolwater fishes.

QUESTION: What is a char?

ANSWER: Char (also charr) is a name often given to trouts in the genus Salvelinus, which
in Montana are Brook, Bull, and Lake trouts. They are readily told from the other trouts
(genera Oncorhynchus and Salmo), for they have a "reversed" foreground-background color
scheme Rainbow, Cutthroat, Golden, and Brown trouts always have foreground markings
(spots) which are darker than the background; chars have a relatively darker background,
typically gray, with lighter spots.

96

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
ON MONTANA FISHES

Many readers will desire additional information on Montana fishes. Of the many
excellent publications available, the following are particularly pertinent:

The first two books contain information on identification, distribution, breeding,
and feeding habits of Montana fishes, and the history of fish collections and in-
troductions into Montana. In addition, Brown presents age and growth data for each
species.

Brown, C.J.D. Fishes of Montana. Big Sky Books, Montana State University, Bozeman,
1971.207 pp.

Weisel, George F. Fish Guide for Intermountain Montana. Montana State University
Press, Missoula, 1957. 88 pp. Out of print, but held by the Montana State Library
in Helena; it can be borrowed from a local library through interlibrary loan.

Next is a revised scientific key to the identification of Montana fishes. It serves to
update Fishes of Montana:

Gould, William R. Key to the Fishes of Montana. Biology Department, Montana State
University, Bozeman, 1988. 22 pp.

The following three books were written for areas other than Montana, but between
them they contain in-depth information on all fishes found in Montana waters ex-
cept tropical aquarium species.

Baxter, George T. and James R. Simon. Wyoming Fishes. Bulletin No. 4, Wyoming
Game and Fish Department, revised 1970. 168 pp. Another revision is scheduled
for publication in 1990.

Pflieger, William L. The Fishes of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation,
1975. 343 pp. Has unsurpassed illustrated keys.

Scott, WB. and E.J. Crossman. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bulletin 184, Fisheries
Research Board of Canada, reprinted with corrections 1985. 966 pp. A tremendous
source book- extremely detailed descriptions of individual species plus extensive
life history accounts. Includes over 80% of the fishes found in Montana.

07

LIST OF MONTANA FISHES

(Including selected hybrids)

Families in this list are in phylogenetic order -that is, from the most primitive to
the most advanced. Within families the scientific names (genus and species) are
listed alphabetically. This is different from the arrangement of fishes throughout
this book, which is based on the type and position of fins on the back (see pp. 8-9).

SYMBOLS

N- Native I -Introduced P- Possibly native

n-A few populations of native Rainbow Trout persist in the Kootenai River Drainage
of northwestern Montana. All other Rainbow Trout populations in the state
originated from hatchery fish and are considered introduced.

C-A fish of special concern.

c-The native Rainbow Trout is a fish of special concern. Introduced Rainbow Trout
are not (see n above).

* -Designated a game fish in Montana statutes.

STURGEON FAMILY- ACIPENSERIDAE

N * C White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus

N * C Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus

N * Shovelnose Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

PADDLEFISH FAMILY- POLYODONTIDAE

N * C Paddlefish Polyodon spathula

GAR FAMILY- LEPISOSTEIDAE

N C Shortnose Gar Lepisosteus platostomus

BULLHEAD CATFISH FAMILY-

-ICTALURIDAE

I Black Bullhead

Ictalurus melas

I Yellow Bullhead

Ictalurus natalis

N * Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

N Stonecat

Noturus flavus

SUCKER FAMILY- CATOSTOMIDAE

N River Carpsucker

Carpiodes carpio

N Longnose Sucker

Catostomus catostomus

N White Sucker

Catostomus commersoni

N Largescale Sucker

Catostomus macrocheilus

N Mountain Sucker

Catostomus platyrhynchus

N Blue Sucker

Cycleptus elongatus

N Smallmouth Buffalo

Ictiohus bubalus

N Bigmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus cyprinellus

N Shorthead Redhorse Moxostoma macrolepidotum

MINNOW FAMILY- CYPRINIDAE

I

Goldfish

Carassius auratus

N

Lake Chub

Couesius plumbeus

I

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

I

Utah Chub

Gila atraria

N

Western Silvery Minnow

Hybognathus argyritis

N

Brassy Minnow

Hybognathus hankinsoni

N

Plains Minnow

Hybognathus placitus

N

C Sturgeon Chub

Hybopsis gelida

N

Flathead Chub

Hybopsis gracilis

N

C Sicklefin Chub

Hybopsis meeki

N

Peamouth

Mylocheilus caurinus

P

Golden Shiner

Notemigonus crysoleucas

N

Emerald Shiner

Notropis atherinoides

I

Spottail Shiner

Notropis hudsonius

N

Sand Shiner

Notropis stramineus

N

Northern Redbelly Dace

Phoxinus eos

N

C Northern Redbelly Dace

x Finescale Dace hybrid

Phoxinus eos x P. neogaeus

N

Fathead Minnow

Pimephales promelas

N

Northern Squawfish

Ptychocheilus oregonensis

N

Longnose Dace

Rhinichthys cataractae

N

Redside Shiner

Richardsonius balteatus

N

Creek Chub

Semotilus atromaculatus

N

C Pearl Dace

Semotilus margarita

MOONEYE FAMILY- HIODONTIDAE

N

Goldeye

Hiodon alosoides

TROUT FAMILY- SALMONIDAE

I *

Cisco

Coregonus artedii

p *

Lake Whitefish

Coregonus dupeaformis

I *

Golden Trout

Oncorhynchus aguabonita

N *

C Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri

N *

C Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi

I *

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

n *

c Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus myhiss

I *

Kokanee

Oncorhynchus nerka

I *

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

N*

Pygmy Whitefish

Prosopium coulteri

N*

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

I *

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

I *

Tiger Trout (hybrid)

Salmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis

N*

C Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

I *

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

N*

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

N*

C Arctic Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

SMELT FAMILY- OSMERIDAE

I

Rainbow Smelt

Osmerus mordax

00

PIKE FAMILY- ESOCIDAE

N * Northern Pike Esox lucius

I * Tiger Muskellunge (hybrid) Esox lucius x E. masquinongy

TROUT-PERCH FAMILY- PERCOPSIDAE

N C Trout-perch Percopsis omiscomaycus

CODFISH FAMILY- GADIDAE

N * Burbot Lota lota

KILLIFISH FAMILY- CYPRINODONTIDAE

P Plains Killifish Eundulus zebrinus

LIVEBEARER FAMILY- POECILIIDAE

Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis

Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna

Shortfin Molly Poecilia mexicana

Green Swordtail Xiphophorus helleri

Variable Platyfish Xiphophorus variatus

STICKLEBACK FAMILY- GASTEROSTEIDAE

N Brook Stickleback Culaea inconstans

TEMPERATE BASS FAMILY- PERCICHTHYIDAE

I White Bass Morone chrysops

SUNFISH FAMILY- CENTRARCHIDAE

I Rock Bass

I Green Sunfish

I Pumpkinseed

I Bluegill

I * Smallmouth Bass

Ambloplites rupestris
Lepomis cyanellus
Ixpomis gibbosus
Ixpomis macrochirus
Micropterus dolomieui

I * Largemouth Bass
I White Crappie

Micropterus salmoides
Pomoxis annularis

I Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

PERCH FAMILY- PERCIDAE

N Iowa Darter

Etheostoma exile

I Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

N * Sauger
I * Walleye

Stizostedion canadense
Stizostedion vitreum

DRUM FAMILY- SCIAENIDAE

N Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens

SCULPIN FAMILY- COTTIDAE

N Mottled Sculpin Cottus bairdi

N Slimy Sculpin Cottus cognatus

N C Shorthead Sculpin Cottus confusus

N Torrent Sculpin Cottus rhotheus

N C Spoonhead Sculpin Cottus ricei

INDEX

Boldface page numbers indicate color illustrations.

Local names (alternate common names) are in quotation marks.

See pp. 98-100 for list of scientific names.

Arctic Grayling 67, 57
Bass

"Calico" 77

Largemouth 84, 60

"Northern Smallmouth" 83

Rock 82, 59

Smallmouth 83, 59

White 89
Bigmouth Buffalo 25
"Black Bass"

"Largemouth" 84

"Smallmouth" 83
Black Bullhead 74, 57
Black Crappie 77, 58
"Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout" 52, 61
"Blackspotted Trout" 61
Blue Sucker 25
"Blueback" 50
Bluegill 80, 59
"Bluegill Sunfish" 80
Books, reference 97
Brassy Minnow 38
"Bronze-back" 83
Brook Stickleback 76
Brook Trout 64, 56

"Eastern" 64
Brown Trout 63, 56
Buffalo

Bigmouth 25

Smallmouth 26
Bull Trout 65, 56
"Bullhead" 86, 87, 88
Bullhead

Black 74, 57

Yellow 74
Bullhead catfish family 73
Burbot 76, 58
"Calico Bass" 77
Carp

Common 27

"Leather" 27

"Mirror" 27

"Silver" 26

"White" 26
Carpsucker, River 26
"Cat, Spoonbill" 18
Catfish (bullhead catfish) family 73
Catfish, Channel 73, 57
Channel Catfish 73, 57
Char (charr) defined 96
Chinook Salmon 48, 54
Chub

Creek 34

Flathead 35

Lake 33

Sicklefin 35

Sturgeon 36

Utah 29
Cisco 70

"Coarsescale Sucker" 23
Codfish family 76
Coho Salmon 49

Common Carp 27

"Common Sucker" 23

"Common Sunfish" 79

Counts used in fish identification 12

Crappie

Black 77, 58

White 78, 58
Creek Chub 34
Cutthroat Trout 52, 61, 55

"Blackspotted" 52, 61

"Upper Missouri" 52

Westslope 52, 55

Yellowstone 61, 55
Dace

Finescale 32

"Horned" 34

Longnose 36

Northern Redbelly 32

Northern Redbelly x Finescale hybrid 32

Pearl 33
Darter, Iowa 92
"Dolly Varden" 65
Drum family 85
Drum, Freshwater 85
"Eastern Brook Trout" 64
Emerald Shiner 40
Fathead Minnow 37
Finescale Dace 32
"Finescale Sucker" 24
Fish

color 10

external features 11

identification 8

lengths 10

of special concern, defined 13

names 10
Fishes

list of 98

cold, cool, and warmwater, defined 96
Fishing records 94
"Flat" 52

Flathead Chub 35
Flesh color, trout 96
Freshwater Drum 85
Gar family 19
Gar, Shortnose 19
"German Brown Trout" 63
Gill rakers, illustration 12, 51, 79
"Goggle Eye" 82
Golden Shiner 31
Golden Trout 62, 55
Goldeye 21, 54
Goldfish 28
Grayling

Arctic 67, 57

"Montana" 67
Green Sunfish 81, 59
Green Swordtail 46
"Hackleback" 15
"Hammer-handle" 20
"Herring, Lake" 70
"Horned Dace" 34

101

102

Iowa Darter 92
"Jack" 20
"Kamloops" 51
Killifish family 43
Killifish, Plains 43
"King Salmon" 48
Kokanee 50, 54
"Kokanee Salmon" 50
Lake Chub 33
"Lake Herring" 70
Lake Trout 66, 56
Lake Whitefish 69
Largemouth Bass 84, 60
"Largemouth Black Bass" 84
Largescale Sucker 23
"Leather Carp" 27
Lengths of fishes 10
"Ling" 76

Livebearer family 44
"Loch Leven Trout" 63
Longnose Dace 36
Longnose Sucker 24
"Mackinaw Trout" 66
Minnow

Brassy 38

Fathead 37

Plains 39

Western Silvery 39
Minnow family 27
"Mirror Carp" 27
Molly

Sailfin 45

Shortfin 45
"Montana Grayling" 67
Montana state fish 52, 61
Mooneye family 21
Mosquitofish 44
Mottled Sculpin 86
"Mountain Trout" 52
Mountain Sucker 24
Mountain Whitefish 68, 57
"Muddler" 86
Muskellunge, Tiger 20
"Native" 52, 61
"Northern" 20
Northern Pike 20, 54
Northern Redbelly Dace 32

Northern Redbelly Dace x Finescale Dace hybrid 32
"Northern Smallmouth Bass" 83
Northern Squawfish 30
Paddlefish 18, 53
Paddlefish family 18
Palatine teeth, illustration 86
Pallid Sturgeon 16
Peamouth 30
Pearl Dace 33
"Perch" 90
Perch family 90
Perch, Yellow 90, 60
"Pickerel" 20
"Pike" 20
Pike

Northern 20, 54

"Sand" 91

"Walleyed" 91

Pike family 20

"Pike perch, Yellow" 91

Plains Killifish 43

Plains Minnow 39

Platyfish, Variable 46

Pumpkinseed 79, 58

Pygmy Whitefish 68

Rainbow Smelt 71

Rainbow Trout 51, 55

Record fish 94

Redbelly Dace, Northern 32

"Redbelly" 52

"Redeye" 82

Redhorse, Shorthead 22

Redside Shiner 31

River Carpsucker 26

Rock Bass 82, 59

"Rocky Mountain Whitefish" 68

Sailfin Molly 45

Salmon

Chinook 48, 54

Coho 49

"King" 48

"Kokanee" 50,

"Silver" 49, 51
Salmon migration 96
"Sand Pike" 91
Sand Shiner 41
Sauger 91, 60
Sculpin

Mottled 86

Shorthead 87

Slimy 87

Spoonhead 88

Torrent 88
Sculpin family 86
"Shad" 21
"Sheepshead" 85
"Shiner" 21
Shiner

Emerald 40

Golden 31

Redside 31

Sand 41

Spottail 40
Shortfin Molly 45
Shorthead Redhorse 22
Shorthead Sculpin 87
Shortnose Gar 19
Shovelnose Sturgeon 15, 53
Sicklefin Chub 35
"Silver" 50, 51
"Silver Carp" 26
"Silver Salmon" 49, 51
Silvery Minnow, Western 39
"Skipjack" 21
"Slimer" 20
Slimy Sculpin 87
Smallmouth Bass 83, 59
"Smallmouth Bass, Northern" 83
"Smallmouth Black Bass" 83
Smallmouth Buffalo 26
Smelt family 71
Smelt, Rainbow 71
Spawning seasons 92

"Spoonbill Cat" 18
Spoonhead Sculpin 88
Spottail Shiner 40
"Squaretail" 64
Squawfish, Northern 30
"Steelhead" 51, 96
Stickleback family 76
Stickleback, Brook 76
Stonecat 75
Sturgeon

Pallid 16

Shovelnose 15, 53

White 17
Sturgeon Chub 36
Sturgeon family 15
Sucker

Blue 25

"Coarsescale" 23

"Common" 23

"Finescale" 24

Largescale 23

Longnose 24

Mountain 24

White 23
Sucker family 22
Sunfish

"BluegiU" 80

"Common" 79

Green 81, 59
Sunfish family 77
Swordtail, Green 46
Temperate bass family 89
Tiger Muskellunge 20
Tiger trout 64
Torrent Sculpin 88
Tropical Aquarium Fishes 45
Trout

"Blackspotted" 61

"Blackspotted Cutthroat" 52, 61

Brook 64, 56

Brown 63, 56

Bull 65, 56

Cutthroat 52, 61, 55

"Eastern Brook" 64

"German Brown" 63

Golden 62, 55

Lake 66, 56

"Loch Leven" 63

"Mackinaw" 66

"Mountain" 52

Rainbow 51, 55

Tiger 64

/'Upper Missouri Cutthroat" 52

"Von Behr" 63

Westslope Cutthroat 52, 55

Yellowstone Cutthroat 61, 55
Trout family 47

Trout family, members compared 47
Trout-perch 72
Trout-perch family 72
"Tullibee" 70

"Upper Missouri Cutthroat Trout" 52
Utah Chub 29
Variable Platyfish 46
"Von Behr Trout" 63
Walleye 91, 60
"Walleyed Pike" 91
Western Silvery Minnow 39
Westslope Cutthroat Trout 52, 55
White Bass 89
"White Carp" 26
White Crappie 78, 58
White Sturgeon 17
White Sucker 23
Whitefish

Lake 69

Mountain 68, 57

Pygmy 68

"Rocky Mountain" 68
Yellow Bullhead 74
Yellow Perch 90, 60
"Yellow Pikeperch" 91
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout 61, 55

103

POSTSCRIPT

Since this field guide went to press:

1) The Central Mudminnow, Umbra lima, has been collected from Blacktail Creek within the Butte city
limits. This is the first Montana record for this species and for the mudminnow family (Umbridae). Mud-
minnows are not native to Montana. The Central Mudminnow is a small (usually 2 to 4 inches long),
heavy-bodied, mottled-brown fish. The single dorsal fin is set well back on the body. The tail fin is rounded
with a prominent dark vertical bar at its base

2) Dr. Robert J. Behnke, an expert on the classification of western trouts, has recommended that our native
Rainbow Trout (found only in the Kootenai River Drainage) be classified as Columbia Basin Redband Trout,
Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri.

3) The American Fisheries Society's Committee on Names of Fishes has adopted the following changes
in scientific names of Montana fishes:

Common Name Scientific Name

Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas

Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis

Sturgeon Chub Macrhybopsis gelida

Sicklefin Chub Macrhybopsis meeki

Pearl Dace Margariscus margarita nachtriebi

Flathead Chub Platygobio gracilis

George D. Holton has a B.S. in zoology from
the University of Wisconsin and an M.S. in fish
and wildlife management from Montana State
College His fisheries career spanned 35 years -
the last 30 with the Montana Department of
Fish, Wildlife and Parks as Chief Fisheries
Biologist and Assistant Fisheries Division Ad-
ministrator. He completed this book as a
volunteer after retiring from the department.