Fish of Minnesota Field Guide (Fish Identification Guides) - Softcover

Bosanko, Dave

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1591937906 ISBN 13: 9781591937906

Publisher: Adventure Publications, 2019

Synopsis

Learn to Identify Fish in Minnesota!

Fishing is a perfect outdoors activity for all ages and skill levels, and the Land of 10,000 Lakes is an angler’s paradise. Reel in your catches, and make identifying those fish a snap. Now in its second edition, the popular Fish of Minnesota Field Guide by Dave Bosanko features detailed information about 81 species of Minnesota fish. When you’re not sure what you caught, grab the handy guide and narrow your choices by family. Then identify your prize with the intricately detailed fish illustrations. Further verify the type of fish using the “Similar Species” comparison features. Then read fascinating facts on spawning behavior, feeding habits, and more. Plus, match up your best catches against the state records. With inside information for locating fishing hotspots, this book is essential for every tackle box, beach bag, RV, and cabin. Its convenient size makes it perfect for the dock or boat.

About this title

About the Author

Dave Bosanko was born in Kansas and studied engineering before following his love of nature to degrees in biology and chemistry from Emporia State University. He spent thirty years as staff biologist at two of the University of Minnesota’s field stations. Though his training was in mammal physiology, Dave worked on a wide range of research projects ranging from fish, bird and mammal population studies to experiments with biodiversity and prairie restoration. An avid fisherman and naturalist, he has long enjoyed applying the fruits of his extensive field research to patterning fish location and behavior, and observing how these fascinating species interact with one another in the underwater web of life.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Perch Family (Percidae)

WALLEYE
Sander vitreus

Description: long, round body; dark silver or golden to dark olive brown in color; spines in both first dorsal and anal fin; sharp canine teeth; dark spot at base of the three last spines in the dorsal fin; white spot on bottom lobe of tail

Similar Species: Sauger (pg. 84), Saugeye

Other Names: marble-eyes, ’eye, walter, walleyed pike, jack, jackfish, pickerel

Habitat: lakes, rivers, and streams; abundant in some very large lakes

Range: northern states and Canada, now widely stocked in the U.S.; Minnesota―statewide

Food: mainly small fish, but also eats insects, crayfish, leeches, and frogs

Reproduction: spawning takes place in tributary streams or rocky lake shoals when spring water temperatures reach 45 to 50 degrees; no parental care

Record and Average Size: Minnesota state record―17 lb., 8 oz., 36.8 in.; Average Size―1 to 3 lb. and 10 to 18 in.

Fishing Tip: Casting imitation crawfish lures (the kind used for bass) into rocky shorelines at night can be very effective for large Walleyes.

Notes: Minnesota’s state fish, the Walleye is revered by Minnesota anglers. A dogged opponent, but not a spectacular fighter or jumper, the Walleye is at the top of the list of North American fish when it reaches the table. A reflective layer of pigment in the eye, the tapetum lucidum, allows Walleyes, and their cousin, Saugers, to see well in low-light conditions. As a result, Walleyes are most active at dusk, dawn, night, and under low-light conditions, such as choppy waves and cloudy skies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Adventure Publications
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1591937906
• ISBN 13: 9781591937906
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 176