WALLEYE

L: 25-85 cm

TOW: Almost all lakes and rivers in Ontario

LO: White tip on lower tail fin, no distinct blotches or bands on adults

 

BROOK TROUT

L: 15-40 cm

TOW: Cold, clear streams, small lakes, lake superior

LO: Light wormlike markings and spots on dark background, some red and blue, square tail, white leading edge on lower fins, set off by black line

 

LAKE TROUT

L: 30-80 cm 

TOW: Cold waters of deep lakes throughout much of Ontario

LO: Light wormlike markings and spots on dark background, none red, deeply forked tail, white leading edge on lower fins, but no black line

 

LARGEMOUTH BASS

L: 25-55 cm

TOW: Warm, weedy, slow or still waters primarily in southern Ontario

LO: Upper jaw extends beyond eye, deep notch between dorsal fins, body often with a broken horizontal stripe

 

SMALLMOUTH BASS

L: 25-50 cm

TOW: Clear, rocky waters with little vegetation from southern Ontario to northern Ontario

LO: Upper jaw does not extend beyond eye, shallow notch between dorsal fins, body often with dark, broken bars

 

NORTHERN PIKE

L: 45-100 cm

TOW: Quiet, vegetated waters throughout Ontario

LO: Light yellowish spots on dark green background, tips of tail fin more rounded than muskellunge, see also head close-up below