7 species of fish at Lake Herrick
Note: All illustrations on this page are by Gigi Gonsalves.
Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides
Next to humans, these fish are the top predators in most aquatic ecosystems. Their young feed on insect larvae and zooplankton, and they become predators when they are only two inches in length. As they mature, they tend to swim alone rather than in groups, seeking shelter behind logs, rock ledges and vegetation. They're distributed in most of North America, southeastern Canada and northeastern Mexico.
Next to humans, these fish are the top predators in most aquatic ecosystems. Their young feed on insect larvae and zooplankton, and they become predators when they are only two inches in length. As they mature, they tend to swim alone rather than in groups, seeking shelter behind logs, rock ledges and vegetation. They're distributed in most of North America, southeastern Canada and northeastern Mexico.
Redear sunfish, Lepomis microlophus
These fish are very distinct with light green-to-gold sides dusted with red-orange spots, and they have a prominent red or orange edge along the ear flap (hence their name). Native to the middle and lower Mississippi River Basin and the Atlantic slope from the Carolinas to Florida, these fish are relatively small and reach two pounds at maturity. They're nicknamed "shellcrackers" because they like to forage on aquatic clams and snails, which they grind in their throat.
These fish are very distinct with light green-to-gold sides dusted with red-orange spots, and they have a prominent red or orange edge along the ear flap (hence their name). Native to the middle and lower Mississippi River Basin and the Atlantic slope from the Carolinas to Florida, these fish are relatively small and reach two pounds at maturity. They're nicknamed "shellcrackers" because they like to forage on aquatic clams and snails, which they grind in their throat.
Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Native to North America and parts of Mexico, these omnivorous (meaning they eat small insects and plants) fish are distinguishable by their deeply forked tail fins. They spawn (reproduce) in late spring or early summer when temperatures are warmer, Nesting sites are usually dark and secluded, and sometimes males actually eat their eggs if they're disturbed. At full maturity, they can reach up to 12 inches in length. They favor slow-moving waters, and it is thought that they enter Lake Herrick through culverts that connect the lake to other distant bodies of water.
Native to North America and parts of Mexico, these omnivorous (meaning they eat small insects and plants) fish are distinguishable by their deeply forked tail fins. They spawn (reproduce) in late spring or early summer when temperatures are warmer, Nesting sites are usually dark and secluded, and sometimes males actually eat their eggs if they're disturbed. At full maturity, they can reach up to 12 inches in length. They favor slow-moving waters, and it is thought that they enter Lake Herrick through culverts that connect the lake to other distant bodies of water.
Mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis
These freshwater fish are very small, as females (the bottom one in the picture to the right) reach a length of 2.8 inches and males (the top one in the picture to the right) reach a length of 1.6 inches at full maturity. They are native to many parts of eastern North America, and their name comes from the fact that they eat large amount of mosquito larvae. They also eat zooplankton, mayflies and other small insects, but these fish have been used for biocontrol of mosquito populations for many years. This has negatively affected other species populations, however, and now mosquito fish aren't introduced as frequently to new bodies of water.
These freshwater fish are very small, as females (the bottom one in the picture to the right) reach a length of 2.8 inches and males (the top one in the picture to the right) reach a length of 1.6 inches at full maturity. They are native to many parts of eastern North America, and their name comes from the fact that they eat large amount of mosquito larvae. They also eat zooplankton, mayflies and other small insects, but these fish have been used for biocontrol of mosquito populations for many years. This has negatively affected other species populations, however, and now mosquito fish aren't introduced as frequently to new bodies of water.
Shad, Clupeidae
There are a lot of types of shad in the eastern half of North America, but the one that has been found in Lake Herrick is a lake shad (possibly an American gizzard shad). They're native to fresh and brackish waters of the U.S. and favor reservoirs, rivers, streams and shallow lakes with muddy bottoms. They are heavy eaters of phytoplankton and zooplankton, and they are highly variable in size, with some reaching a length of greater than 15 inches but some being comparable to the size of minnows. They're commonly used as bait in game fishing.
There are a lot of types of shad in the eastern half of North America, but the one that has been found in Lake Herrick is a lake shad (possibly an American gizzard shad). They're native to fresh and brackish waters of the U.S. and favor reservoirs, rivers, streams and shallow lakes with muddy bottoms. They are heavy eaters of phytoplankton and zooplankton, and they are highly variable in size, with some reaching a length of greater than 15 inches but some being comparable to the size of minnows. They're commonly used as bait in game fishing.
Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus
These fish are also called brim, bream, sunny or copper nose. They're a member of the sunfish family, and they're native to North America, favoring ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. They like to hide in old tree stumps, logs and other underwater structures and rest in the shade of trees or vegetation. They're omnivores, feeding on small aquatic insects, fish and plants, and they are common prey for fish like largemouth bass and birds like herons.
These fish are also called brim, bream, sunny or copper nose. They're a member of the sunfish family, and they're native to North America, favoring ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. They like to hide in old tree stumps, logs and other underwater structures and rest in the shade of trees or vegetation. They're omnivores, feeding on small aquatic insects, fish and plants, and they are common prey for fish like largemouth bass and birds like herons.
Black crappie, Pomoxis nirgomaculatus
There are only two types of crappie, one black and one white. They're similar in almost every way other than their coloring. The black crappie is widely distributed in North America, eastern Canada and Mexico. They typically reach between 4 to 8 inches in length at full maturity, and they favor lakes and reservoirs with a lot of coverage (such as vegetation and submerged timber) and sandy, muddy bottoms. They eat everything from plankton and tiny crustaceans to small fish like shad and minnows.
There are only two types of crappie, one black and one white. They're similar in almost every way other than their coloring. The black crappie is widely distributed in North America, eastern Canada and Mexico. They typically reach between 4 to 8 inches in length at full maturity, and they favor lakes and reservoirs with a lot of coverage (such as vegetation and submerged timber) and sandy, muddy bottoms. They eat everything from plankton and tiny crustaceans to small fish like shad and minnows.
Want to go fishing? You can at Lake Herrick! Click on the link below for more info on fishing in Athens: