Photos of lesser known fish species

[Rod Caster]

I thought it would be interesting to see a collection of photos and descriptions of the "lesser known species" caught by members, like coarsefish or non-targetted species. Some of the underdog species in Ontario make for good sport fish and suprisingly good table fare.

 

This year I caught a couple large chub from the Ottawa River while I was fishing for walleye. My brother and I tried eating one but it was terrible pan-fried. This one in the photo is a "horny head chub". It has a couple dozen little bumps on it's head and is usually much smaller. A lot of times they are found in small creeks, especially roadside it seems. They are not a delicacy for people however they make for effective and durable lake trout/pike bait.

 

 

This here is a ling (Edit:Burbot) from Lake Nipissing. I only ever catch them ice fishing for walleye using minnows or spoons. They are aggressive and big and slimy and taste great! Poor man's lobster as they call it, filets nicely into firm white strips of meat. Apparently, the people on Simcoe catch HUGE ones.

 

 

Here is a herring. It's often mistaken for a whitefish and as far as I know, tastes pretty good. I'm yet to try a full meal of it and I've heard both good and bad about the taste of the meat.

 

 

The white bass is delicious. I can't wait to catch a few more in the spring in the rivers. These were caught on a jig and minnow.

 

 

Here is a Mooneye caught in the Ottawa River by JoeyTier. I've never eaten Mooneye but I have tried Goldeye, which is essentially the same fish but the Goldeye is typically found west of Ontario. Joey caught this guy on a spoon (I think) but fly fishing is the best way to catch mooneye/goldeye.

 

Edited November 2, 2011 by Rod Caster

[Fisherman]

The ling are great when boiled in salt water, drained and dipped in garlic butter. Herring are very good smoked.

[bucktail]

Great post!!

 

I love the "other" species.

 

 

 

Thanks for great pictures.

 

Makes me wonder if anyone here has eaten a burbot? Everyone always seems to reneage when they go to eat one!!LOL

 

 

Imagine floating a mooneye under a big float for skies, they even make me hungry!!

[Cookslav]

The first one looks like a fall fish to me?

If its a horn head she's the biggest I've ever seen.

 

Could be wrong, just say'n

[Rod Caster]

I did a close up on another photo... there are some bumps on it's head but I'm not 100% that it's a horny head. The second photo is a photo off the internet of a fallfish. They dont look the same to me.

 

[rocheleauc]

awesome, nice to see something different

[GBW]

I did a close up on another photo... there are some bumps on it's head but I'm not 100% that it's a horny head. The second photo is a photo off the internet of a fallfish. They dont look the same to me.

 

the colour of the eyes and the mouth don't look the same in those two fish in this quote.

[MCTFisher9120]

They are known but not commonly caught really. Here are some pictures of my "lesser known's"

 

First are pictures of one of many Bowfin I catch every summer out in Eastern Ont.

 

 

 

And here is one of a little Gar Pike I caught 3 or 4 years ago.

 

Edited November 2, 2011 by MikeTheBassFisher

[Musky or Specks]

Bowfin always cheeze me off when I'm bass fishin. Pitch that jig into a perfect spot .. there's the hit.. set hook... holy crap HUGE BASS.. no wait.. dang Bowfin.

 

And ling are super tasty.

[Rod Caster]

They are known but not commonly caught really. Here are some pictures of my "lesser known's"

 

First are pictures of one of many Bowfin I catch every summer out in Eastern Ont.

 

And here is one of a little Gar Pike I caught 3 or 4 years ago.

 

 

 

Bowfin's are mean lookin'! Ever eat one?

[NAW]

Great post!

 

Din't eat this guy..

 

[Lungelarry]

A nice gar from this summer.............

[LucG]

Great post chad! Well here's my contribution to the other species post. These guys sure put up a fight on the light action walleye rods.

 

Edited November 2, 2011 by LucG

[Twocoda]

Sucker fish in Spring colours....although they put up a respectable battle for thier size , most steelheaders find them to be irritating

[DRIFTER_016]

Here's a rarity for you.

An Inconnu (found in only 5 drainages in the world).

 

[manitoubass2]

Never even made an attempt to find out what kind of sucker this is? Very pale in color for the Rainy River. Never caught one again

 

 

Not a lesser known fish, but a very odd pike

 

 

 

the lawyer/lingcod, whatever the heck there called???

 

[manitoubass2]

ugggh, lamprey, snagged on a flat rap. I know I'm a pansy for wearing a glove, but these creatures really creap me out.

 

Caught a few ice fishing last year that were around 20", so gross

 

 

 

 

 

[chuckymcd]

Sucker fish in Spring colours....although they put up a respectable battle for thier size , most steelheaders find them to be irritating

 

 

That is pretty cool coloring

[Rod Caster]

Here's a rarity for you.

An Inconnu (found in only 5 drainages in the world).

 

 

I saw a fishing show years ago and they were catching huge ones. Very neat. Looks like a giant whitefish/tarpon

[johnnyb]

I've eaten bowfin....and would eat another one....very firm flesh, was like eating pork.

[Thrilla]

I believe this is a blueside darter, snagged it while trolling for 'eyes

[Rod Caster]

I believe this is a blueside darter, snagged it while trolling for 'eyes

 

 

Very cool fish!I've never heard of it. Where was this caught?

[Rod Caster]

Never even made an attempt to find out what kind of sucker this is? Very pale in color for the Rainy River. Never caught one again

 

 

 

Albino sucker?? what the heck is this thing?

[cuzza]

OK, not quite Ontario but most of the species I fished for in the UK are in various bodies of water here apart from these guys - Tench. They're a summer species (they hide in the mud at the bottom of the lake in winter and pretty much hibernate), but they put up a great fight for their size and are very slimy! I think they're a member of the carp family and I wouldn't try and eat one.

 

 

That albino sucker looks like a sucker/koi hybrid!

[LucG]

OK, not quite Ontario but most of the species I fished for in the UK are in various bodies of water here apart from these guys - Tench. They're a summer species (they hide in the mud at the bottom of the lake in winter and pretty much hibernate), but they put up a great fight for their size and are very slimy! I think they're a member of the carp family and I wouldn't try and eat one.

 

 

That albino sucker looks like a sucker/koi hybrid!

 

At first glance I though you were holding up a smallie lol