Try Catching a Big Fish

From Fish to Fossils

The bottom dwelling fish in Florissant were able to live in the poor conditions of the ancient lake. Diatom mats, or single-celled algae that have dense cell walls which easily sank to the bottom of the lake. These microogranisms along with clay, silt, and volcanic ash created alternating layers at the lake bottom. When fish died, their skeletons would sink and become compressed in between the layers.The fish skeletons became preserved or created impressions in the rock. Finer details such as fish scales became carbonized, or turned into carbon in the rock.

 

Paper shale consists of thin alternating layers of clay, silt, volcanic ash and single-celled algae called diatoms. Shale is a sedimentary rock which means that it’s made up of smaller fragments of other rocks, sediments, and organic material.

NPS

 

Let's catch a big fish!

Before we begin, read these basic fishing tips:

For this activity, you'll be virtually fishing.

1. Use the sliders below to reel in and reveal your catch and its fossilized version.
2. Read about each fish using the drop-downs.

Note: the following tips are for when you actually go fishing in-person.

• Keep in mind that many places to fish require a fishing license and that you have to follow fishing rules and regulations.

• You've scouted out a great spot from the shore. Good eye!
• Wear a life jacket!
• Make sure an adult is handling the fish hook, which has barbs.
• Be patient!

Now, cast your fishing line into the water and wait until you get a bite on your line.

 

Going fishing on the lake.

NPS / Karen Ceballos & Astrid Garcia

 

You notice a decently-sized shadow moving below the surface and slowly start to approach your lure. Suddenly, you feel a bite and you start to tug and reel the fish in. Move the slider to the right to see your catch.

Move the slider to the left to view the fossilized ancient fish. Read about the fish in the drop-down below.

 

Left image
Credit: NPS Graphic

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

  What'd you catch?

Bowfin Fish (Amia Scutata)
This fossil photograph shows the largest of Florissant's fishes, measuring about 17 inches or 43 centimeters in length. It's called a bowfin because its dorsal fin is long and looks like a ribbon. This fin also extended half the fish's body length as seen in the fossil. 

The bowfins were much more diverse and widespread during the Eocene. These fish are part of this group of primitive fishes. The only surviving species of bowfin is considered to be a "living fossil".

 

You turn to see more shadows lurking beneath the lake's surface. After casting your line, you wait patiently. You begin to feel another tug in the water and you pull and begin reeling the fish in. Move the slider to the left to see your catch.

Move the slider to the right to view the fossilized ancient fish. Read about the fish in the drop-down below.

 

Left image
Credit: NPS Graphic

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

  What'd you catch?

Catfish (Ictalurus pectinatus)
At Florissant Fossil Beds, only two catfish fossils have been found and both are incomplete. The Florissant species of catfish Ictalurus is in the same genus as the catfish that is predominant in North America. 

This type of catfish is a bottom-dwelling scavenger, meaning that it would eat both dead and alive things such as small fish, aquatic insects, snails and plants. These fish likely tolerated the warmer water and could have lived in tributary streams, which are streams that flow into the lake. The Florissant catfish likely built their nests in sediments where they'd guard their eggs and young, like modern catfishes today. 

 

After you're done virtually fishing, select where you want to go next.

Where to next?

1. Go back to the lake.
2. Revisit the Eocene.
3. Return to the present.