FISH IDENTIFICATION
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All information below is based from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
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Identifying fish correctly is an important aspect of fishing and can lead to hefty fines if wrongly identified by an angler when keeping fish.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Guadalupe, Alabama and Spotted Bass
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A: Irregular lateral stripe is similar to, but more broken than in largemouth bass.
B: Jaw does not extend beyond the back margin of the eye when mouth is closed.C: Spots on scales form "rows" of stripes on whitish belly area.
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Guadalupe Bass Species Details
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Largemouth Bass
A: Definite lateral stripe
B: Jaw extends well behind the back margin of the eye when mouth is closed.
Largemouth Bass Species Details
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Smallmouth Bass
A: Vertical barring along the sides.
B: Jaw does not extend beyond the back margin of the eye when mouth is closed.
C: Brownish-green color; white belly area does not extend high on the sides.
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Smallmouth Bass Species Details
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Yellow Bass
A: Stripes distinct, broken above anal fin
B: Color - silvery yellow
C: Dorsal fins joined
D: Does not have a tooth patch near the midline towards the back of the tongue
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
White Bass
A: Stripes faint, only one extends to tail
B: Body deep, more than 1/3 length
C: Has one tooth patch near the midline towards the back of the tongue
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Striped Bass
A: Stripes distinct, several extend to tail
B: Body slender, less than 1/3 length
C: Has two, distinct tooth patches near the midline towards the back of the tongue.
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Hybrid Striped Bass
(AKA Palmetto or Sunshine Bass)
A: Stripes distinct, usually broken, several extend to tail
B: Body deep, more than 1/3 length
C: Has two tooth patches near the midline towards the back of the tongue. Tooth patches may be distinct or close together.
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Note: For hybrids, all characteristics should be considered in combination, as characteristics in individual fish may vary.
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
A: Body without dark spots
B: Outer margin of anal fin straight, and anal fin with 30 to 36 rays
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
A: Body with dark spots (spots may be absent in large adults)
B: Outer margin of anal fin rounded, and anal fin with 24 to 29 rays
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Channel Catfish Species Details
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Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004