Surprise Catch

[bigugli]

I have caught a number of Rudd in the niagara and Welland rivers the past couple of years. Nothing spectacular, 8-10", all quickly despatched in due diligence.

Today's specimen is a clear indication that the species is here to stay in the Great lakes.

She weighed in at 2.71lbs.

[Homer Is King]

That things a monster!! Congrats on your PB Rudd!!

[Leecher]

I've never seen or heard of this species before... do they belong in the carp family???

Congrats Bruce on your PB

[fishnsled]

Guess your right bigugli, at that size they are not going anywhere soon.

 

 

They are another invasive species TroutJunkie.

 

If you catch a rudd, destroy it. Do not throw it back. If you catch a rudd in an area not shown on the distribution map, preserve the fish in alcohol or freeze it and call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or contact your local MNR office.

 

Rudd

( Scardinius erythrophthalmus )

The rudd is a European member of the minnow family that has been introduced to many parts of North America. It is believed that bait-bucket dumping has been the primary way that rudd have spread. Although the rudd is not a legal baitfish in Ontario, it has invaded our waters today likely originating from the United States where they have been commonly used as baitfish.

 

Characteristics

 

The rudd is a large, deep-bodied minnow that can grow to a length of 35cm (14 inches) and weight of approximately 1.8 kg (2.5 - 3 lbs). The mouth of the rudd is steeply angled with a protruding lower lip. Adult rudd look like golden shiners but have a fully scaled belly (native golden shiners have a fleshy "keel" strip along their belly) and differing fin colour and scale patterns. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins of the rudd are bright reddish orange and the dorsal and forked tail fins are reddish-brown. The scales on the back are olive colour and the sides are brassy yellow, tapering to a silvery-white belly. When waters warm to 14° - 20° C, females can lay between 100,000 to over 200,000 eggs/year over submerged vegetation in shallow waters close to shore. The eggs hatch in 7-14 days depending on water temperature.

 

The rudd inhabits quiet, heavily vegetated waters and can adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions, including poor water quality. Adults feed mainly on aquatic vegetation (which they do not process well) and on insects, which they capture at the surface. Young feed on algae and small invertebrates.

 

Distribution

 

In Ontario, rudd were first found in the St. Lawrence River in 1990. They were found at several locations in the river in the 1990s and in 1997 were discovered in western Lake Ontario and in eastern Lake Erie. It is believed that rudd were first intentionally used as baitfish in Wisconsin in the 1920s and used in the Hudson River drainage in 1936. Since that time, rudd has been introduced in over 20 U.S. states.

 

Download the Rudd distribution map

Impact

 

The impacts of the rudd on native species are not completely known. The rudd can hybridize with the native golden shiner, which could pose a risk to this important baitfish species. Over time, the unique genetics of the native golden shiner could be lost. Young rudd could also compete with native fish for food and habitat resources. Unlike most native fish, the adult rudd is omnivorous, which means it can change its diet from insects to plants. Rudd eat large amounts of aquatic vegetation around the shoreline, which could degrade spawning and nursery habitats for young fish. Northern pike, muskellunge, yellow perch, and alewife use shoreline vegetation for nesting and as nursery areas for their young. Rudd do not process the large amounts of vegetation it eats efficiently and this results in more nutrients being released into the water. This increased nutrient flow can result in increased algal blooms, lower levels of dissolved oxygen and reduced water clarity and quality.

 

Prevention

 

Once introduced rudd are difficult to control, therefore, it is vital to prevent their spread to other waterbodies. Bait bucket release is the primary mechanism by which rudd have gained access into open waters. Never use rudd as baitfish. Always be careful to never take live bait from one waterbody and release it into another which includes collecting baitfish from the Great Lakes to use in inland waters. It is illegal to release baitfish from one waterbody to another. Remember to dump your bait bucket on land before leaving a waterbody.

 

If you catch a rudd, destroy it. Do not throw it back. If you catch a rudd in an area not shown on the distribution map, preserve the fish in alcohol or freeze it and call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or contact your local MNR office.

 

 

[Lunkerhunter]

its like a goldfish/crappie... lol that thing is pretty large!

[Leecher]

... They are another invasive species TroutJunkie.

 

If you catch a rudd, destroy it. Do not throw it back. If you catch a rudd in an area not shown on the distribution map, preserve the fish in alcohol or freeze it and call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or contact your local MNR office.

 

Rudd

( Scardinius erythrophthalmus )

The rudd is a European member of the minnow family that has been introduced to many parts of North America. It is believed that bait-bucket dumping has been the primary way that rudd have spread. Although the rudd is not a legal baitfish in Ontario, it has invaded our waters today likely originating from the United States where they have been commonly used as baitfish.

 

Characteristics

 

The rudd is a large, deep-bodied minnow that can grow to a length of 35cm (14 inches) and weight of approximately 1.8 kg (2.5 - 3 lbs). The mouth of the rudd is steeply angled with a protruding lower lip. Adult rudd look like golden shiners but have a fully scaled belly (native golden shiners have a fleshy "keel" strip along their belly) and differing fin colour and scale patterns. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins of the rudd are bright reddish orange and the dorsal and forked tail fins are reddish-brown. The scales on the back are olive colour and the sides are brassy yellow, tapering to a silvery-white belly. When waters warm to 14° - 20° C, females can lay between 100,000 to over 200,000 eggs/year over submerged vegetation in shallow waters close to shore. The eggs hatch in 7-14 days depending on water temperature.

 

The rudd inhabits quiet, heavily vegetated waters and can adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions, including poor water quality. Adults feed mainly on aquatic vegetation (which they do not process well) and on insects, which they capture at the surface. Young feed on algae and small invertebrates.

 

Distribution

 

In Ontario, rudd were first found in the St. Lawrence River in 1990. They were found at several locations in the river in the 1990s and in 1997 were discovered in western Lake Ontario and in eastern Lake Erie. It is believed that rudd were first intentionally used as baitfish in Wisconsin in the 1920s and used in the Hudson River drainage in 1936. Since that time, rudd has been introduced in over 20 U.S. states.

 

Download the Rudd distribution map

Impact

 

The impacts of the rudd on native species are not completely known. The rudd can hybridize with the native golden shiner, which could pose a risk to this important baitfish species. Over time, the unique genetics of the native golden shiner could be lost. Young rudd could also compete with native fish for food and habitat resources. Unlike most native fish, the adult rudd is omnivorous, which means it can change its diet from insects to plants. Rudd eat large amounts of aquatic vegetation around the shoreline, which could degrade spawning and nursery habitats for young fish. Northern pike, muskellunge, yellow perch, and alewife use shoreline vegetation for nesting and as nursery areas for their young. Rudd do not process the large amounts of vegetation it eats efficiently and this results in more nutrients being released into the water. This increased nutrient flow can result in increased algal blooms, lower levels of dissolved oxygen and reduced water clarity and quality.

 

Prevention

 

Once introduced rudd are difficult to control, therefore, it is vital to prevent their spread to other waterbodies. Bait bucket release is the primary mechanism by which rudd have gained access into open waters. Never use rudd as baitfish. Always be careful to never take live bait from one waterbody and release it into another which includes collecting baitfish from the Great Lakes to use in inland waters. It is illegal to release baitfish from one waterbody to another. Remember to dump your bait bucket on land before leaving a waterbody.

 

If you catch a rudd, destroy it. Do not throw it back. If you catch a rudd in an area not shown on the distribution map, preserve the fish in alcohol or freeze it and call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or contact your local MNR office.

 

Thanks Will for the details on this specie.... but I have another question... If this is an invading species, where would one find it other than the southern parts of Ontario? Has it spread over to other bodies of water?

 

P.S. Bruce, even though I gave you a high five on your PB.... hope you took care of the invader

[Headhunter]

It would look good right under my roses... that's a big minnow!

HH

[Harrison]

They may not be all that bad, looks like they eat cigarette butts.

[bigugli]

 

 

P.S. Bruce, even though I gave you a high five on your PB.... hope you took care of the invader

Until the government says otherwise, I always "execute" due diligence.

This one will be a new species for my friend, Bill, to play with. Taxidermy is one of his hobbies when not fishing.

[bigugli]

They may not be all that bad, looks like they eat cigarette butts.

So do bass

[Rod Caster]

Quite the catch... glad to see it out of the system

[young_one]

Beautiful colours, Thanks for sharing!

[fishnsled]

Thanks Will for the details on this specie.... but I have another question... If this is an invading species, where would one find it other than the southern parts of Ontario? Has it spread over to other bodies of water?

 

On the distribution map it shows them from Erie to the St Lawrence and even inland south of Lake Simcoe. I would think they don't want them to spread any further but like zebra mussels and gobies, it's probably just a matter of time.

 

 

 

Edited April 16, 2012 by fishnsled

[Leecher]

On the distribution map it shows them from Erie to the St Lawrence and even inland south of Lake Simcoe. I would think they don't want them to spread any further but like zebra mussels and gobies, it's probably just a matter of time.

 

Thanks Will!!!

[bigugli]

You just caught a world record!!!!

The IGFA record is 3lb 7oz caught in Sweden.

It probably is a record for Ontario, but I don't think the OFAH will be keen to post it on the records list.

Edited April 16, 2012 by bigugli

[Christopheraaron]

Are they not in the trent yet if they are in the lakes?

[Bluegill]

-

Edited November 6, 2014 by Bluegill

[Leecher]

Yes, it's from the carp family.

Very common fish in Europe, Asia, all over the world...

Fished it over 40 years, German name is Rotfeder, best bait are maggots, cooked wheat, dry fly on warm summer evenings... nice fishing

But normally this fish is silver with red fins.

The golden species are special breedings for ponds and aquariums - maybe that's how this golden rudd came here

http://kfv-simmern.meggalich.de/assets/images/Rotfeder.jpg

 

Cool Bluegill Thanks for the information

[Walleye'm Fishing]

Cool fish, never seen one of those before. Congrats on the PB.

[Locnar]

I haven't heard of these guys until now... Where does one find these invasives?

[bucktail]

Have to admit that it would sure look good under a float for pike and musky bait!

[blaque]

Just to add , some may remember i posted about catching a number of these weeks back.

 

They seemed to be in good numbers mixed in with the steelhead in a Lake Ontario south shore tributary (dirty burt to be exact)

 

 

Edited April 17, 2012 by Blaque

[bigugli]

Just to add , some may remember i posted about catching a number of these weeks back.

 

They seemed to be in good numbers mixed in with the steelhead in a Lake Ontario south shore tributary (dirty burt to be exact)

 

 

They are a lot more widespread than the MNR wants to admit.

[Doug Wright]

They may not be all that bad, looks like they eat cigarette butts.

 

 

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!! That otta make them taste good!!!