Alligator Gar
Atractosteus spatula
The alligator gar can weigh up to 100 pounds or more, and has a modified gas bladder that allows survival in very stagnant water. This fish spawns during the spring season in shallow bays and sloughs. Its main food source is fish, and it is not considered a game fish.
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatu
The black crappie is easily confused with the white crappie. However, it is deeper bodied than the white crappie and silvery-green in color with irregular black splotches. The dorsal fin has seven or eight spines and the gill covers also have spines. Males do not develop specialized breeding coloration during spawning season.
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
The blue catfish is the largest freshwater sport fish in Texas. It often weighs in the 50 pound range, but can reach up to 115 pounds or more. Similar to the channel catfish in shape, blue catfish found in this region do not have spots. The coloration on the back is typically slate blue, fading to a white belly. In the summer, blue catfish prefer cooler water and swim upstream in an effort to locate it. Then in winter, they go downstream seeking warmer water.
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
The bluegill, also called perch, bream, tiger, sunfish and gills is named for the deep blue underside of the gill flap. Its preferred habitat is hidden in vegetation and sunken trees in shallow waters. The average size is under a pound, but has been known to reach up to 4 pounds.
Carp
Cyprinus sp.
The carp is a heavy-bodied minnow with barbells on either side of its jaw and can range in color from a brassy green to a yellow, brown, or silver. The average weight is 8 to 10 pounds, but can grow even larger. Carp are not considered a game fish, and can be found in almost any water in the U.S.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
The channel catfish is distinguished by its deeply forked tail fin and the upper jaw projecting further than the lower jaw. Typically an olive brown to slate blue on the back with a white belly, these fish prefer streams with a slow to moderate current. Channel catfish in Texas have been known to weigh as much as 30 pounds, but generally average less.
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olvaris
The flathead catfish, also known as opelousa cat, has a flat head just as common name suggests. Otherwise, it looks like any other catfish. It is light brown on the back and sides, and highly mottled with black and brown spots. The flathead catfish preys only on live fish, unlike other catfish who are scavengers. This fish prefers deep water, and is the second largest sport fish in Texas reaching up to 115 pounds.
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
The largemouth bass is named for its jaw bone, which extends beyond the back of the eyes, and can be found in various shades of green with a yellow tint. It resides in moderately clear to torpid waters and prefers cover near vegetation, logs, stumps, and underwater contours. The average size is from 1 to 6 pounds, but can grow up to 12 to 14 pounds.
Rainbow Trout*
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Rainbow trout have a characteristic salmon-like shape with dark spots on the tail fin, which is slightly forked. The anal fin has 10 to 12 rays and the back is usually a dark olive color, with shading to silvery white on the underside. The body is heavily speckled, and there is a pink to red stripe running lengthwise along the sides. *Seasonally stocked in Precinct 4 ponds only.
Red Shiner
Cyprinella lutrensis
The red shiner can be identified by its olive green top and silver bottom, although the males become blue with red fins during spawning. These fish only grow to about 3 ½ inches in length, and prefer to school in midwater or near the surface.
Smallmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus bubalus
The smallmouth buffalo is sometimes confused with the carp, but lacks the distinctive barbells. The back and sides of the small mouth buffalo are light or dark brown with a coppery green tint and the bellies are pale yellow to white. These fish prefer large streams, rivers, and reservoirs, and can be distinguished from the largemouth version by the small, sucker mouth.
Spotted Gar
Lepisosteus oculatus
The spotted gar has a large, round spot on its head and can also be distinguished by its broad snout and heavy body. This fish can grow up to 4 feet long and is not considered a game fish.
Warmouth
Lepomis gulosus
The warmouth is sometimes confused with a Rock Bass or Sunfish, though it is usually larger than the two. Adults appear dark with mottled brown on the bodies, and males feature a bright orange spot at the base of the dorsal fin. This fish prefers quiet water with muddy bottoms and vegetation. The average size is from 8 to 10 inches, but can reach 12 inches in length and weigh up to 2 pounds.
White Bass
Morone Chrysops
The white bass, also called Sand Bass, can be distinguished by its double dorsal fin, dark gray to black on the back, and bright silver sides with faint stripes lengthwise on the body. Most surviving adults only have successful reproduction once every 3 to 4 years. This fish prefers open water, and typically grows from less than a pounds to 2 pounds, but can reach up to 5 pounds.
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
The white crappie is easily confused with the black crappie, but white crappie have dark bands (vertical bars) around the body. The white crappie is deep-bodied with a silvery color, ranging from silvery-white on the belly to a silvery-green or even dark green on the back. The dorsal fin has a maximum of six spines and the gill covers also have spines. Males may develop specialized breeding coloration in the throat region during the spring spawning season.