Indiana Sport Fish Identification
See the following descriptions for help identifying your catch.
BLACK BASS
largemouth bass
upper jaw extends beyond back of eye
smallmouth bass 
upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye
spotted bass 
red eye, horizontal lines of dark spots on lower sides, upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye
TRUE BASS
striped bass
tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken
white bass
single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail
hybrid striped bass 
two tooth patches on back of tongue are joined, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line usually broken
CATFISH
channel catfish 
24-29 rays in rounded anal fin, caudal fin is deeply forked, dark spots on sides when young
blue catfish 
30-35 anal fin rays, anal fin margin is straight, caudal fin is deeply forked
white catfish
caudal fin margin is nearly straight (slightly forked), no dark spots on sides
bullhead catfish
caudal fin is straight
PERCH
walleye
no spots on dorsal fin, dusky spot at rear of spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white
sauger 
3 or 4 saddle shaped blotches on back and sides, spotted dorsal fin
SUNFISH
bluegill 
5 to 9 vertical bars on sides, black opercle flat (ear) with no margin, dark spot at rear of dorsal fin
redear 
opercle flap (ear) is tipped with red or orange margin
black crappie 
7-8 dorsal spines, random blotches on sides
white crappie
6 dorsal spines, black side markings form vertical bars rather than random spots
TROUT & SALMON
rainbow trout or steelhead 
white mouth, teeth and gums; small black spots on back, sides, caudal and dorsal fins, caudal fin margin is square; 9-12 anal fin rays
brown trout 
white mouth, teeth and gums; caudal fin margin square (without spots or with only a few spots restricted to the upper portion) stream dwelling browns possess some orange/red spots on sides; resident brown trout in Lake Michigan possess black X-shaped markings on sides
lake trout 
white mouth, teeth and gums; caudal fin deeply forked, body color light to dark gray with light spots
chinook salmon or king salmon 
teeth are set in dark gums, black spots on back and both lobes of square caudal fin, 15-17 anal finrays
coho salmon 
teeth are set in light color gums, black spots on upper lobe of slightly forked caudal fin, 12-15 anal fin rays
muskellunge 
northern pike 
Saugeye 
illustrations Joseph R. Tomelleri
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