The Official North American Native Fish Collecting Thread

[divemaster99]

There's an official thread for fishing, I've made one for diving, and I think the collection of native fish whether you keep them or not (whether by seine, dipnet, castmet, minnow trap, microfishing, or any other method) deserves a thread as well! So post any pictures, videos, or experiences you have collecting North American native fish here!

 

[divemaster99]

I've been out collecting a few times this year already but today was the first successful trip. Went over to a local small feeder creek and started out with them standard fishing, wound up with two 4-5" chubs. After that I seined for about 20 minutes. In total, I caught about 10 Redside Dace, 15-20 Silverjaw Minnows, 10 Bluntnose Minnows, 10 Blacknose Dace, 5 Longnose Dace, 15-20 Creek Chubs, 2 White Suckers, 10 Johnny Darters, and 1 Central Stoneroller. Kept 3 redside dace, 3 silverjaw minnows, and 1 central Stoneroller.

Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum)
View attachment 1066390

 

[Moontanman]

I was supposed to go friday but the trip was called off, I'll keep track of this thread and post next time i go!

 

[Aquaculture Tyler]

Here is one of many Northerns i used to catch on worms and small jigs/lures that i used to keep

 

[Duckman77]

I got out yesterday for the first time this year. I was going mostly for collecting sand and rocks for a new tank setup, but of course I brought the nets for a little bit of sampling.

Sorry, no pics. A little early in the season, so I didn't catch much besides darters. Here is the list of species I caught though:

Rainbow darters (lots of them, including the largest I have ever caught..all in breeding dress)
Slenderhead darter (first time I have caught these I think)
Banded darter
Johnny darter
Stoneroller (lots of them, one must have been 10-11")
Crayfish (every net had 6-12)

 

[predatorkeeper87]

I haven't been out yet this year, its to damn cold up here haha. I'll post when I hit slippery rock creek in a few weeks or so for sure. I'm going fishing today, but no way am I wading in haha

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Here is one of many Northerns i used to catch on worms and small jigs/lures that i used to keep

View attachment 1066631

man I wish I could catch them that small up here...I'd have a pond built already for them lol

 

[Duckman77]

I haven't been out yet this year, its to damn cold up here haha. I'll post when I hit slippery rock creek in a few weeks or so for sure. I'm going fishing today, but no way am I wading in haha

Neoprene chest waders are standard equipment this time of year. lol

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Neoprene chest waders are standard equipment this time of year. lol

hahaha for sure! I'm still not a fan of the frozen arms up to my elbows feeling if I have to get my hands in the water hahaha

 

[divemaster99]

Was out yesterday. Water was in the high 40's and raging fast, though very clear. Caught a half dozen Rhinichthys sps. and a new species I've found to the area, a Central Stoneroller. Kept nothing since I was searching for Darters.

Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum):