Lake Michigan Fish ID: Your Visual Guide to Spotting Every Species

Lake Michigan, a vast freshwater ecosystem, teems with diverse aquatic life. Our visual guide will help you identify Lake Michigan fish species easily and accurately. Anglers often use fish finders to locate different species. Understanding fish anatomy, especially fin shapes, is crucial for identification. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission provides resources for learning about invasive and native species, aiding in proper identification. Proper identification is critical for responsible fishing and conservation efforts when trying to identify Lake Michigan fish species.

Image taken from the YouTube channel Michigan Sea Grant , from the video titled How to Identify Salmon and Trout of the Great Lakes .

Lake Michigan Fish ID: Your Visual Guide to Spotting Every Species

Ever wondered what that silvery flash was while you were fishing on Lake Michigan? Or maybe you're just curious about the diverse underwater world beneath the waves? This guide is designed to help you easily identify lake michigan fish species with visual cues and helpful information. Let's dive in!

Understanding Lake Michigan's Fish Diversity

Lake Michigan is home to a surprising variety of fish, both native and introduced. Knowing the key characteristics of each species can significantly enhance your fishing experience and appreciation for the lake's ecosystem. We'll cover some of the most common and interesting fish you're likely to encounter.

Identifying Common Species

Here’s a rundown of some of the popular (and some not-so-popular) fish you might reel in or spot in Lake Michigan.

Salmon

These powerful fish are popular targets for anglers. Here's how to tell them apart:

• Chinook Salmon (King Salmon): Look for black spots on the upper half of the body and on the tail. They have a dark mouth and gums. Chinook are typically the largest of the Pacific salmon in Lake Michigan.

  • Key ID Points: Black spots on back and tail, dark mouth.

• Coho Salmon (Silver Salmon): Coho also have black spots, but mostly on the upper lobe of the tail. Their mouth is grey, and they are usually smaller than Chinook.

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  • Key ID Points: Black spots mainly on the upper tail lobe, grey mouth.

• Pink Salmon (Humpback Salmon): These salmon are smaller and often have a prominent hump, especially in males during spawning season. They are silvery with oval spots.

  • Key ID Points: Smaller size, possible hump (males), oval spots.

• Atlantic Salmon: Resembling brown trout but with a more streamlined body, Atlantic Salmon have black spots above the lateral line and a forked tail. The adipose fin (the small fin on the back near the tail) is usually orange.

  • Key ID Points: Streamlined body, spots above the lateral line, forked tail.

Trout

Trout species also thrive in Lake Michigan, offering great sport and delicious meals.

• Lake Trout: Characterized by their mottled dark brown or grey bodies with light spots, Lake Trout are native to the Great Lakes. They lack the pink stripe of some other trout species.

  • Key ID Points: Mottled coloration, light spots, no pink stripe.

• Brown Trout: These trout are identified by their brown or yellowish-brown body with black and red spots. The spots often have a light halo around them.

  • Key ID Points: Brown/yellow body, black and red spots with halos.

• Rainbow Trout (Steelhead): Often called steelhead when they migrate to the Great Lakes from rivers, Rainbow Trout have a pink or red stripe along their sides and black spots on their body and fins.

  • Key ID Points: Pink stripe, black spots on body and fins.

Other Common Fish

Beyond salmon and trout, here are some other species you're likely to see:

• Yellow Perch: Easy to recognize with their bright yellow body, dark vertical bars, and orange fins. They are a popular panfish.

  • Key ID Points: Yellow body, dark bars, orange fins.

• Walleye: With their olive-brown body, large eyes, and sharp teeth, walleye are prized for their delicious fillets.

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  • Key ID Points: Olive-brown, large eyes, sharp teeth.

• Smallmouth Bass: Bronze or brown in color with dark vertical bars, smallmouth bass have a smaller mouth that doesn't extend past their eye.

  • Key ID Points: Bronze/brown, vertical bars, small mouth.

• Largemouth Bass: Greenish-brown in color, largemouth bass have a larger mouth that extends past their eye.

  • Key ID Points: Greenish-brown, large mouth.

• Whitefish: Silvery in color with a small mouth and forked tail, whitefish are a native species important to the Great Lakes ecosystem.

  • Key ID Points: Silvery, small mouth, forked tail.

• Round Goby: These small, bottom-dwelling fish are an invasive species. They are mottled brown or grey with a distinctive black spot on their dorsal fin.

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  • Key ID Points: Mottled brown/grey, black spot on dorsal fin. Be aware that they are invasive and should not be released back into the water.

Visual Identification Table

This table provides a quick reference for identifying the fish we discussed:

More Tips for Identification

Here are some additional tips to help you accurately identify lake michigan fish species:

• Consider the Location: Some fish are more common in certain areas of the lake or at certain depths.
• Observe the Behavior: How the fish moves and feeds can be a clue to its identity.
• Use a Field Guide: A good field guide with detailed illustrations and descriptions is an invaluable resource.
• Take Photos: If you're unsure, take clear photos from multiple angles to help with later identification.
• Compare: Carefully compare the fish's characteristics to those described in this guide and other resources.

Video: Lake Michigan Fish ID: Your Visual Guide to Spotting Every Species

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So, get out there, explore the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan, and use your newfound knowledge to identify Lake Michigan fish species like a pro. Happy fishing!