SunfishesFamily: CentrarchidaeGenus: Lepomis Sunfish are widespread across the continental United States and Canada. You can find one species or another in just about any river, lake, and pond. Well known for their spiny fins and distinct colors and shape, they are a popular gamefish for anglers of all kinds.
Chad Thomas (Lepomis auratus) The redbreast is a popular sportfish, often found in rivers and streams as opposed to lakes or reservoirs. Originally native to systems across the Atlantic coast, the redbreast has found its way as far west as texas in recent years. It has since been noted as one of many species infringing on the habitat of the Devils River minnow. The redbreast possess a long flexible opercle flap on adults. They have short pectoral fins that do not reach beyond eye when bent forward. Breeding males will have an orange burst on their belly. 
Chad Thomas (Lepomis macrochirus) Pound for pound, the bluegill has proven to put up a greater fight than most other Lepomis and has become a very popular sport fish in response. It reaches larger size than most Lepomis as well. This particular species is commonly used in biology and toxicology research, and is often used as an indicator of the overall health of its watershed The bluegill has dark, slightly flexible opercle flaps. It’s pectoral fins are long and pointed, reaching beyond the eye when bent forward. Most have a dark spot on end of dorsal fin, but it is usually faded in juveniles and large adults. 
Chad Thomas (Lepomis Cyanellus) The hybrid sunfish is a peculiar sunfish with unique colors. Perhaps the most primitive in the Lepomis family, the hybrid sunfish gets its name from its ability to breed with at least 5 other species in the genus. While it is usually too small to be an interest to anglers, they have been noted as a major food source for the largemouth bass. The hybrid has an opercle with a yellow or white margin surrounding a large black dot. They often have a black blotch at the end of both the anal and dorsal fins. The sides of its head are iridescent blue and green. 
Chad Thomas (Lepomis gulosus) Preferring clear and calm waters with an abundance of plant life, the warmouth fits in right at home here in Amistad. This popular sportfish has a distinct and bold look that can make it easy to identify against other Lepomis, though it can hybridize with many of them. Unlike other sunfish, this fish is not known to overpopulate ponds and lakes, and often develops stunted populations. The warmouth has distinct red eyes. Dark brown and yellow lines run from its eyes to the edges of the gill cover. Its body fins have a dark mottling pattern. The lateral line is very visible and very dorsally curved. 
Chad Thomas (Lepomis megalotis) The longear sunfish is widespread across much of the central United States and Texas. This fish is a polyphil, meaning it has little preference to where it lays its eggs. Its eggs have adhesive on them allowing them to be laid just about anywhere that has low current. It is primarily an insectivore and piscivore, meaning it eats mostly insects and small fish The longear has a dark opercle flap with a thin white margin. Dorsal regions are often iridescent green or turquoise. Short rounded pectorals do not reach eye when bent forward. Its body is much more rounded in shape than local species in adulthood. 
Chad Thomas (Lepomis microlophus) The redear has a feeding behavior that is unique to Lepomis. They will swim headfirst into whatever substrate is present, raising clouds of sand, mud, and detritus, searching for and crushing bottom dwelling prey such as mayflies, snails, and mollusks. Due to their feeding behavior, among other factors, they are known to decline in population in most lakes and rivers over time, as they lose out in competition to other sunfish. They are also a very popular research fish as they are easier to handle, and are not easily made nervous. The redears opercle margin is dark with red spot on caudal end. It has an Inflexible opercle flap. Juveniles have vertical bars on their sides. 
Black BassesFamily: CentrarchidaeGenus: Micropterus Some of the most popular game fish in Texas and North America, black basses are the staple of sport fishing, especially the largemouth bass. They are notorious for putting up a good fight, and challenging even the most accomplished anglers to be their best.
Chad Thomas (Micropterus salmoides) This fish dominates Amistad in many ways. While they are not the largest bass, they are certainly the most sought after. They are known to put up an intense fish for even the most seasoned Angler. Due to its economic importance, hundreds of clubs in Texas alone promote the health and conservation of this fish. With largemouth, the corners of the mouth will reach past the rear portion of eye in adults. It also has a deeper notch separating its dorsal fins. Juvenile Largemouth usually lack coloration on the caudal fin. 
Chad Thomas (Micropterus punctulatus) This bass prefers faster water than other Micropterus, and as such can usually be found in open windswept areas in the reservoir. Larger spotted bass prefer deeper water, and will often migrate to tributaries and streams in the winter. The spotted bass could just as well be called the mediumouth. The corners of its mouth reach about the midline of the eye. Juveniles have an orange or red margin around their caudal fin. Adults have a distinct dark mottling around the lateral line, and spots present on scales below the midline. 
Chad Thomas (Micropterus dolemieu) This fish (while less famous than its great gaped brethren) is gaining notoriety for its “hybrid swarms.” This refers to the smallmouth mating with other bass and creating hybrids that can push out and overwhelm other Centrarchidae. This has brought concern about its introduction into more texas watersheds. Despite this it remains an increasingly popular Gamefish. As the name implies, the corners of its mouth do not reach the front edge of the eye. Adult smallmouth often lack a dark horizontal band, and instead have vertical striping. Juveniles have a deep black band across the caudal fin. 
Temperate Bass and CrappieFamily: CentrarchidaeGenus: Moronidae, Pomoxis This category of fish consists of a few more popular game fish, that are slightly harder to categorize. Most of these fish prefer particularly clear and calm waters, so Amistad is an ideal habitat.
Chad Thomas (Morone chrysops) This highly sought after sport fish has been widely introduced to reservoirs across the country. Early in spring these fish will move upstream to spawn in shallower waters. During this time females perform an incredible feat, by some estimates producing almost 1 million eggs in a single spawning season. Only once the eggs are laid and fertilized will the bass will return to deeper waters. Horizontal stripes on the white bass are found primarily on the dorsal portion on the body. Body length is less than 3 times the body depth (as opposed to the striped bass which is more elongate). 
Chad Thomas (Morone saxatilis) Striped bass can grow scores longer than most other bass, and have been measured up to 6 feet long. This has made them increasingly popular as a gamefish in recent years. They have since replaced white bass as a stock for fisheries and reservoirs. Juveniles usually prefer shallow areas with rock and gravel substrate, but as they grow larger and older they can be found just about anywhere in the reservoir. This basses body stripes are often consistent and stretch across more of the body than the white bass. You can find 6-9 horizontal stripes on adults, but juveniles may lack stripes and instead have vertical bars. 
Chad Thomas (Pomoxis annularis) Commonly used as a gamefish (especially in lake Texoma) the white crappie (pronounced "croppy") is relatively easily caught while still maintaining a good size. Pomoxis is Greek, meaning “opercle sharp"; a reference to the spines on the gill cover, or opercle. Annularis is Latin, meaning “having rings,” in reference to the dark bands extending around the body. Much like the sunfish it can often be confused with, it has a darkened lateral line that curves dorsally. It’s tail is less forked, even emarginate, and possesses spots. It can be differentiated from sunfish by counting the dorsal spines. Most sunfish have 9-10, while the crappie has around 6. 
Cichlids and DrumsFamily: Cichlidae, SciaenidaeGenus: 3 or more Many cichlids (pronounced "Sick-i-lids") are prized aquarium and trade fish, but can make a decent catch on a fishing trip as well. They are usually brightly colored and possess unique patterns and scales. Drums include a wide range of fresh and saltwater species known for their distinct mating call.
Chad Thomas (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum) Commonly found in a variety of habitats, but favor lakes with slight or strong currents. In some ecosystems this cichlid is completely herbivorous, but due to competition with centrarchidae it can expand to be more omnivorous in many cases. The Rio Grande cichlid is commonly utilized as an indicator of ecosystem health. They are known to heavily outcompete other native centrarchidae when conditions are not ideal. Iridescent coloring is present on most of the body. Distinct black mark can be found at the base of the caudal fin. May have light vertical bars across the sides. 
Chad Thomas (Oreochromis aurea) Originally introduced to the U.S. as a method of aquatic plant control, it has since become a pest that endangers many endemic species. Many organizations now warn against the further spread of this species. It has spread to many drainages across texas, and has reproducing populations in San Felipe springs. It is most prolific in areas of Texas as do not have extremely cold winter temperatures. Juveniles host vertical bars across the sides. Adults have silvery heads and dark bands across the midsection, which darken when reaching maturity. There is often a hatched pattern visible between scales. 
Chad Thomas (Aplodinotus grunniens) The drums name comes from the distinct drumming sounds this species makes when it attempts to attract a mate. It was traditionally referred to as a gaspergou, or simply a gou. The otolith (a bone in the inner ear) of this fish were seens as good luck and were often used as jewelry by the Native Americans. even today they are considered valuable in some regeions of the United States. The drum hosts an Incredibly long dorsal fin that is notched but not separated, as well as a pointed caudal fin. It has a visibly curved lateral line that runs dorsally, and a Rounded snout. 
CatfishesFamily: IctaluridaeGenus: 3 or more While there are many species of catfish across the world, those found locally are most well known for being delicious and easy to come by. These fish will spend most of their time in the muddy banks and shallow burrows within their habitat, earning themselves the nickname “mudcats”
Chad Thomas (Ictalurus punctatus) The channel cat is the most widely cultivated warm water fish species in North America. Male channel cats heads are usually wider than the rest of the body, while females are often as wide or less wide instead. This fish is commonly sold in the aquarium trade, which attributes to its widespread habitat. Juvenile channel cats possess dark spots at the midsection, and are often silvery in color. This cat has a deeply forked caudal fin and a single very prominent dorsal spine, as well as a rounded anal fin. 
Chad Thomas (Ictalurus furcatus) As they reach adulthood most blue catfish will reach a deep blue color moving away from their white or silvery juvenile state. Here in Amistad as well as the Rio Grande, the blue catfish juveniles actually host spots, most of which are retained even into adulthood. The blue cat is seen as a recreationally valuable species due to its hybridization with other cats, creating diversity among fisheries. The blue cat has a straight edged anal fin, a deeply forked caudal fin, and a thin dorsal spine. Its eye is located closer to its belly than on the other local catfish. 
Chad Thomas (Ameriurus natalis) Ameiurus, Greek, meaning “privative curtailed,” refers to the caudal fin lacking a notch; natalis, Latin, meaning “having large buttocks.” This moderately tolerant catfish is found in a variety of ecosystems, but they generally prefer shallow, heavily planted areas, rich with mud and clay. They are somewhat nocturnal, opting to forage and hunt during the night. Juvenile yellow bullheads are black. They possess emarginate caudal fins instead of forked, which often have a black margin. They also have a much thicker caudal peduncle than most catfish (the area just before the caudal fin). 
Chad Thomas (Pylodictis olivaris) The flathead catfish is a concern for many, as it is a fast reproducing obligate carnivore. In 1999 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service named this fish as its highest priority among invasive animal species in the southeastern United States. Luckily it is a popular gamefish as its size can reach up to 3 feet long and weigh over 80 pounds. The flatheads caudal fin is emarginate, and its anal fin has significantly rays than other local species. The adipose fin is usually larger than similar cats as well. 
GarFamily: LepisosteidaeGenus: Lepisosteus, Atractosteus Gar are some of the oldest and most primitive fish on the planet, these creatures have existed since the time of the tyrannosaurus rex. They are equipped with alligator like teeth, tough ganoid scales, and a streamlined predator’s body.
Chad Thomas (Lepisosteus oculatus) This fish is not commonly sought after by fishermen, though it is sometimes eaten. The eggs of the spotted gar are toxic and should not be eaten. These ambush predators can reach a max length of around 42 inches and will hunt relatively small prey including gizzard shad, minnow, and crayfish. Spots are present on all of body, and fins. Snout is medium length, barely measuring the distance from the eye to the edge of the opercle. The snout is shorter than that of the longnose, as well as broader. There is one row of teeth on upper and lower jaws. 
Chad Thomas (Lepisosteus osseus) This mid sized gar can reach as much as 6 feet long, and will hunt slightly larger prey including mullets, sunfish, catfish, and shad. They begin their juvenile life in shallower waters and as they grow larger, they move to deeper waters. There is evidence to suggest that they may become more nocturnal later in life as well. Usually lingering about submerged or overhanging objects during the daytime, and often found actively fishing the open water at night. Longnose gar fins will always have spots, though the body may not. Its snout is the longest of the gars, and is extremely narrow. Will reach well beyond the distance from the eye to the opercle. Possesses one row of teeth on upper and lower jaws. 
Chad Thomas (Atractosteus spatula) Much like the reptile it is named for, this beast can reach massive sizes and is an apex predator. The alligator gar can reach over 9 feet long, and over 250 pounds. While they are a threatened, species they remain a popular target for bow fisherman. In some cases this is with a sustainable commercial harvest population. Attacks on humans have never been confirmed, despite this, alligator gars are intimidating and often a concern to human swimmers, considering their opportunistic feeding strategies. The alligator has light spots on fins and tail-end of body. Its snout is the shortest of the gars, not measuring from the eye to the edge of the opercle. It also possesses two rows of teeth on upper jaw, one row on lower jaws. 
ShadsFamily: ClupeidaeGenus: Dorosoma Shads are a very important part of many reservoirs. These fish are a massive part of the food chain for larger fish, and make up a huge portion of game fish diet. Shad themselves are actually filter feeders that use gill rakers to sift for plant material and plankton in the water.
Chad Thomas (Dorosoma cepedianum) The gizzard shad is an integral part of the food chain in many reservoirs especially Amistad. With a max size of around 20 inches, these fish can get much larger than their local brethren the threadfin, and therefore provide a food base for much larger predators. The shoulder spot of the gizzard shad should be equal to or larger than pupil in size. The upper surface is silvery blue, transitioning to white on the sides and belly. Horizontal lines may be present in dorsal region. Rounded, blunt snout as opposed to the threadfins terminal mouth. 
Chad Thomas (Dorosoma petenense) Another of Amistads forage fish, at only 8 inches long, this fish provides the base of the food web for smaller and juvenile gamefish and mid-level predators. These fish are often associated with flowing waters and large schools. Their distribution across the United States is limited due to their intolerance to the cold. They have been known to die as water temperatures drop below 41 degrees farenheit. The threadfin will have black specks on its chin and the floor of its mouth. Shoulder spot is smaller than pupil or absent in adults. Differentiated from the gizzard shad by its terminal mouth and black specks on the chin. 
SilversidesFamily: AtherinopsidaeGenus: Labidesthes, Menida These unique fish can be very easy to pick out due to their size, shape, and small first dorsal, but identifying the species can be a challenge. Most will reside in shallow waters flowing over rocks and gravel in streams, but will be found in many reservoirs as well.
Chad Thomas (Menida beryllina) Originally from northern lakes these fish were introduced to maintain gnat and midge populations in California. They have since spread to some areas of Texas, including lake Amistad. Most of their diet consists of insect larvae and zooplankton, but they are attributed with the decline of blacktail chubs, among many other species, across Texas. As the eggs of bass, gar, and chub develop and move into the water collumn, the inland silverside has been known to forage on them in great quantities. This fish can be differentiated from the brook silverside by the dark scale pigmentation on the dorsal portion of the body, as well as the anal fin extending only to the edge of the dorsal fin. 
Chad Thomas (Labidesthes sicculus) These fish have been stocked as a forage fish in many reservoirs, but also contribute to limitations of water insect populations. While these insectivores often look for larvae or particulate matter in the water column, they can often be seen jumping out of the water to catch surface insects or escape predators. Differentiated from inland silversides by smaller lateral scales and pointed snout, as well as an anal fin that extends significantly beyond the edge of the dorsal fin. SunfishBlack BassesTemperate Basses and CrappieCichlid and Drum |
Last updated: February 11, 2019