3 replies to this topic

[JasonL]

So I'm sampling near the headwaters of a small rocky creek today here in western KY finding the usual suspects including central longears, various darters, stonerollers and topminnows. In the distance I spy a marshy area about 200+ yards away, not even connected to the main channel. It was very weed choked, and even had a couple of cypress trees so I thought, what the heck, I'll see what's there. Here are a few pics.





I'm thinking banded pygmy sunfish, bantam sunfish and possibly chain pickerel. The last would be a new find for me and pretty uncommon in these parts if folks agree that's what it is. This area is part of the Mississippi River embayment and probably 30 or more nautical miles from the main river or any other swampy area. I'm a little surprised these guys made it up this far but I guess you never know. Honestly these were the last species I expected to find sampling this area today.

[Matt DeLaVega]

I think it is a grass pickerel. The "bill" is pretty grass pickerel length, teardrop is slanted, and Occam's razor. Chains are pretty unlikely in that area. The others seem spot on to me. All really exciting species.

[JasonL]

Alas, Matt I think you may be correct on the pickerel. Thought the bar below the eye was vertical enough to consider chains after consulting Petersons That said, there is some variability in this feature from what I have read and indeed Occams Razor does come into play under the circumstances.

[Chasmodes]

Cool finds Jason!