1 Fish... 2 Fish... Big Fish... Little Fish

Put your hook and fishing line in the water to try catching a fish!

Have you ever gone fishing before? Maybe you go to the lake with your parents or even grandparents. Maybe you've gone fishing with friends! There's different types of fish in this lake. We know this from the many fossil fish found in the paper shale deposits. Fish are the most common vertebrate (meaning they have a backbone or spine) fossils found at Florissant Fossil Beds. Fossilized bowfins, suckers, catfishes, and pirate perches have been found here.

Many of these fish, aside from pirate perches, were bottom dwellers and were able to withstand terrible water conditions, especially because of the volcanic ash in the lake.

 

Here's some supplies to take while you're out fishing.

Whenever you go fishing *in-person*, here's a list of supplies you should bring to be prepared for your fishing trip:

• Fishing gear, which typically includes: fishing rod, reel and line, assorted fish hooks, bait, lures, bobbers, sinkers, swivels, pliers, line cutter, and a tackle box.
• Life jacket and first-aid kit for safety
• Drinking water and snacks
• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Rain jacket, a hat and sunglasses

Before starting, it's important to look for a spot on the lake where there's plenty of fish. As you stand along the edge of the lake, you notice some shadows swimming under the water's surface.

 

Where do you want to cast your fishing line?

1. At the big shadow
2. At the smaller shadow