What the heck did I just catch? Part Deux

tonym said:
The easiest way to find out what type of fish you caught is to check out the DEC's info on that lake. If by any chance Pickeral and Pike are listed it will be very difficult to tell. Pickeral and Pike that share the same lake very often mate together and make hybrids that confuse their characteristics.
From the picture it is just about impossible to tell, but it is amusing how many people are so sure of the answer.

Judging by the fact you said you do more saltwater fishing and you list that you live in Pathetic New York; I will guess that you live in the southern part of the state. So if you were in Westchester, Long Island, Dutchess, or Rockland county, I would say the fish is most likely a Chain Pickeral as there are very few lakes in those counties that have Northern Pike.

Here is a good site to help you identify the fish.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7034.html

Edit, I just saw that you were fishing near Moravia. Thats pretty damn far up there. I pulled up Owasco Lake which is in that town and both Pickeral and Northern are listed in that lake. So if the cheek of your fish is covered in scales than I would say Chain Pickeral. In the pic I do see a dark line by the eye, and Northern Pike do not have that mark. But again it could be a cross breed.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/36554.html
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Great info, thank you. I was on a little lake called Lake Como. I'll see if there is any DEC info on that lake as you suggested.
 
You might want to get yourself a book on the fish and game laws for your area. Many have photos in them you can use to ID stuff you catch. Some states will fine you thousands of dollars, take way your gear including your car or truck and boat, and might put you in prision for up to 10 years. :)

Posting pictures on the internet might just get you in trouble. Some states have laws that some fish cannot even be lifted into the boat. Other laws protect fish under a stated size, over a stated size, or both (slot).

Just as Ted Nuget what kind of trouble you can get into for displaying stuff openly. :)

In your case I would hope they would warn your or just slap your hand. You never know what kind of mood the person will be in that discovers it though.

Just trying to help.
 
Pike/pickerel are indeed tasty, but bony. They are also, like the carpish thing you caught, a HELL of a lot of fun on light tackle.
 
Here's something that may help:

Chain pickerel can be distinguished from northern pike or muskellunge by their lack of spots or dark markings on their fins. Grass pickerel differ by having a pattern of vertical bars along their side, less deeply forked tail, and a shorter snout. Additionally grass pickerel rarely exceed 10 inches in length and never reach more than 12 inches.
 
cultivateitnow said:
You might want to get yourself a book on the fish and game laws for your area. Many have photos in them you can use to ID stuff you catch. Some states will fine you thousands of dollars, take way your gear including your car or truck and boat, and might put you in prision for up to 10 years. :)

Posting pictures on the internet might just get you in trouble. Some states have laws that some fish cannot even be lifted into the boat. Other laws protect fish under a stated size, over a stated size, or both (slot).

Just as Ted Nuget what kind of trouble you can get into for displaying stuff openly. :)

In your case I would hope they would warn your or just slap your hand. You never know what kind of mood the person will be in that discovers it though.

Just trying to help.
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Did I say "I caught it"? My mistake. What I meant to say was this kid I've never seen before walked up to the lake I was sitting by reading the Bible, and caught this fish. He asked me, thinking incorrectly that I surely must be more knowedgeable about fish and the different species and asked me to identify his catch. Unfortunately, he did not speak English and we were unable to communicate. I went back to my reading and the next time I looked up, he was gone.
 
TAGannon said:
Did I say "I caught it"? My mistake. What I meant to say was this kid I've never seen before walked up to the lake I was sitting by reading the Bible, and caught this fish. He asked me, thinking incorrectly that I surely must be more knowedgeable about fish and the different species and asked me to identify his catch. Unfortunately, he did not speak English and we were unable to communicate. I went back to my reading and the next time I looked up, he was gone.
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lol hahaha. pretty useless comment by me but I just had to say it :P
 
cultivateitnow said:
You might want to get yourself a book on the fish and game laws for your area. Many have photos in them you can use to ID stuff you catch. Some states will fine you thousands of dollars, take way your gear including your car or truck and boat, and might put you in prision for up to 10 years. :)

Posting pictures on the internet might just get you in trouble. Some states have laws that some fish cannot even be lifted into the boat. Other laws protect fish under a stated size, over a stated size, or both (slot).

Just as Ted Nuget what kind of trouble you can get into for displaying stuff openly. :)

In your case I would hope they would warn your or just slap your hand. You never know what kind of mood the person will be in that discovers it though.

Just trying to help.
Click to expand...

Did I say "I caught it"? My mistake. What I meant to say was this kid I've never seen before walked up to the lake I was sitting by reading the Bible, and caught this fish. He asked me, thinking incorrectly that I surely must be more knowledgeable about fish and the different species and asked me to identify his catch. Unfortunately, he did not speak English very well and we were unable to communicate. After taking a photo, he tossed it back in and I went back to my reading. The next time I looked up, he was gone.
 
LOL. Now that will make an excellent sig line.



TAGannon said:
Did I say "I caught it"? My mistake. What I meant to say was this kid I've never seen before walked up to the lake I was sitting by reading the Bible, and caught this fish. He asked me, thinking incorrectly that I surely must be more knowledgeable about fish and the different species and asked me to identify his catch. Unfortunately, he did not speak English very well and we were unable to communicate. After taking a photo, he tossed it back in and I went back to my reading. The next time I looked up, he was gone.
Click to expand...
 
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