1. The document describes several common freshwater fish species found in Texas, including bass, catfish, crappie, trout, and walleye. 2. It provides details on the identifying characteristics and features of different species like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and rainbow trout. 3. The objectives are to label the external parts of a fish and describe five types of freshwater fish in Texas.

1. Freshwater Fish Species
Agriscience 381
2nd Period
By: Dustin Carnahan

2. Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Label the external parts of a fish.
2. List and describe five types of freshwater
fish found in Texas.

3. Freshwater fish are those species that live in
waters from 0 to 5 (parts per thousand)
salt content.
This includes rivers, streams, creeks, lakes,
ponds, and reservoirs.

4. Game Fish Species
Game fish are regulated by the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department.
They are mainly predators even though they
may eat vegetation.
Many species have natural hybrids. “They cross
and mate between two similar species.”
In the case of the Florida largemouth bass and
the hybrid striped bass, human involvement was
incurred.
Regardless if the species is pure or a hybrid, all
game fish have a statewide bag limit and have
many length limits.

8. Freshwater Fish
Identification

9. Bass

10. Largemouth Bass
Widely distributed in
lakes and streams
Green with dark
blotches running
down the sides
Dorsal fin is almost
divided, containing
12-13 rays.
When mouth is
closed, the upper jaw
extends beyond the
posterior of the eye.

11. Smallmouth Bass
 Golden green sides and back, wavy olive blotches along
side
 There are five olive-green bars that radiate back and one
radiates forward from each eye.
 Trophy size only reach 3-4 lbs.
 Feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and large insects, but
will also feed on forage.
 Prefer flowing water but, can be found in lakes.

12. Hybrid Striped Bass
Cross between striped bass and white bass.
Adults range from 6 to 60 lbs.
Sharp points on tips of gill covers
Has 7-8 horizontal stripes on sides, referring to
the name.

14. White Bass
Originally found only in
waters of Caddo Lake in
far East Texas.
Has double dorsal fin,
front spiny fin is
separated from rear soft-
rayed portion.
Dark gray to black on
back and bright silver on
sides and white belly.
Dusky stripes run length
of body.
Adv. size 1 to 1 ½ lbs.

15. Yellow Bass
Gets name from color
on belly and sides.
Bottom two stripes
are broken slightly
behind the middle.
Travels in schools.
Likes rocky and gravel
bottoms.
Feed on fish, insects,
and crustaceans.
Less than 1 pound

16. Catfish

17. Channel Catfish
Native to all streams and rivers.
Forked tail, distinguishes from all other catfish
except (Blue Catfish).
Silvery gray in color, silvery white on belly
Small black spots found on sides, but they
become absent in large adults.

18. Blue Catfish
Range in color from
slate-blue to grayish
brown on their back
and sides.
Forked tail
Reach up to 300 lbs.
Big river fish
Prefer clear fast
moving water with
hard sand, or gravel
bottoms.
Feeds on shad and
other schooling
baitfish.

20. Flathead Catfish

21. Yellow Bullhead

22. Crappie

23. Crappie
White Crappie
Silvery green, silver-
white belly
Vertical bars on sides
Dorsal fin has max of
6 spines.
Black Crappie
Black blotches
Not statewide, found
in East Texas

24. Trout

25. Rainbow Trout
 Cold-water species, stocked
annually in Texas waters.
 Body shape like a salmon.
 Dark Olive back color, speckled
sides, has pink to red stripe
along the length of side.
 Carnivores, feed on insects
crustaceans, mollusks and fish.
 Live in saltwater but return to
rivers to breed.
 Can survive when confined to
freshwater.

26. Walleye
Member of perch
family.
Large eyes, two
separate dorsal fins.
Cold-water species
Dark blotches on a
yellow-greenish
brown base.
Reach 12-15 lbs.
State Record 25 lbs.

27. Summary
1. 5 types of freshwater species
• Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Trout,
Walleye
2. Labeling external fish parts.
• Dorsal Fin, Caudal Fin, Anal Fin,
Pelvic Fin, Pectoral Fin, Operculum