UrbanFlyVentures » Species List

GOLDFISH

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:48:29 +0000

The Goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) was one of the earliest fish know to be domesticated, and is still one of the most commonly kept as an aquarium fish. The Goldfish is a domesticated version of a Carp that is native to East Asia. Goldfish will generally live 6-8 years in the Wild, but has been know to live up to 40 years. The wild version of the Goldfish is generally said to be the Prussian Carp, however some think it is the closely realted Crucian Carp. If introduced in the wild the Goldfish will generally revert to it’s natural olive color. Goldfish are opertunistic feeders and will each just about anything that they come across in the right conditions.

Time of year: Year-round (most Active from Late Spring to Early Fall)

Flies: Goldfish are caught on a wide variety of flies. Most common are Weighted Nymphs, Egg Flies, Vegitation Imitations, and Leech Imitations, Bread Imitations, ETC.

Rod and Reel: Goldfish tend to be small to average sized fish and a 5 weight Rod with a floating or sinking line should do fine

Locations: La River, Whittier Narrows, Introduced into many Southern Calfornia waters

NILE TILAPIA

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:25:53 +0000

The Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus is a fish that is said to be native to East Africa, but today can be found all over the world. Most Tilapia are introduced to waters for agricultural purposes, beacause they are omnivorous eating plant life, insects, and other small fish. Tilapia fight hard for their size, and can be very beautiful fish.

Time of year: Early Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Dropper fly system, Will take almost any kind of fly

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Floating line)

Locations: Whittier Narrows, Many Park Lakes

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:26:31 +0000

The Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is categorized in the Black Bass Family, and is second largest to the Largemouth Bass. The Smallmouth Bass is generally brown in coloration, with with dark brown or black vertical bands on the face, and red eyes. The Smallmouth Bass generally prefers cooler water than the Largemouth Bass, and can be distingushed by the upper jaw extending to the middle of the eye giving it a smaller mouth (Hence the name Smallmouth Bass).

Time of year: Early Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Streamers, Bait fish imitations, Worm Imitations, Poppers, Frogs, Crayfish Imitations

Rod and Reel: 5-8 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with stiff action, and WF or DT Floating line)

Locations: Many Southern California Streams, Reservoirs, and Lakes

CALIFORNIA LIZARDFISH

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:54:25 +0000

The California Lizardfish (Synodus lucioceps), can be identified by it’s elongated cylindrical body and mouth which is Lizard like in appearance (hence it’s name). The fish is a uniform brown on the back and has a white or tan shading on the it’s sides. The fish spends it’s time suspended on the bottom waiting for bait fish to swim by and springs into action. The Lizardfish is believed to spawn in the summer months, and is commonly caught on patches of sandy bottom.

Time of year: Year-round (most active from early summer to late fall)

Flies:Any bait fish imitation

Rod and Reel:A Rod with a good backbone, I recommend at least a 6 weight. Lizardfish are commonly caught while fishing for other bottom feeding fish which need a heavier rod and sinking line.

Locations: Mexico to San Francisco (not common above Point Conception, California)

WHITE CRAPPIE

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:11:18 +0000

The White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) is a native fish to the eastern portions of Canada and the United States, but has been widely introduced to the west coast. Many people don’t think of Crappie Fishing when California comes to mind, yet we have some great Crappie fishing in the Golden State. White Crappie can be distinguished from their counterpart the Black Crappie by the fact that White Crappie have 5-6 spines on the dorsal fin while Black Crappie have 7-8. Crappie are highly regarded as game fish, and many people say that they are among the best tasting of all freshwater fish.

Time of year: Late Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Crappie will hit many different flies. Use a fly that coincides with the depth of water the fish are holding in.

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Floating line)

Locations: Many Urban Park Lakes, and almost any Mountain Lake in Southern California

Oscar

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:06:36 +0000

The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)is species of fish from the Cichlid family. This fish is native to South America were it is commonly sold as a food source, but has been introduced around the world from people not realizing how big they get as an aquarium fish and dumping them into their local waters. Oscars are also introduced as a popular game fish along side Peacock Bass and Pacu in places with a tropical climate such as Florida, Singapore, and even Oahu, (Hawaii). Oscars can be voracious predators , and will smack almost any baitfish looking fly that come across their mouth when active!

YELLOW BULLHEAD

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:58:50 +0000

The Yellow Bullhead Catfish (Ameiurus natalis) or commonly know as a “Mud Cat” ranges anywhere from a black to yellowish in color depending on it’s habitat. It can be distinguished from the Brown and Black Bullhead Catfish by it’s white barbels. Yellow Bullheads are voracious in appetite scavenging for food constantly. They will eat anything from plants, to baitfish, to snails, to worms. On average they live up to 7 years and get to be about 18 inches long and weigh around 2 pounds. Females lay about 2,000 to 7,000 eggs and will guard the nest for a couple of months (the eggs usually hatch withing about 7-10 days). These fish typically fall under the “Roughfish” category and are seldom targeted, even though they put up a good fight relative to their size.

Time of year: Mid Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Streamers, Nymphs, Poppers, Catfish can go after almost any type of fly

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Sinking Tip or Floating line)

Locations: Many Urban Park Lakes

CHANNEL CATFISH

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:10:00 +0000

Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are North America’s most widely distributed Catfish species. Channel Cats are Omnivors that are mainly bottom feeders, but are oppertunistic feaders and will eat just about anything that crosses their mouths. The average Channel Cat is about 2-4 pounds, but they can grow up to 40 pounds. They are also the most fished for of the Catfish group with over 8 million anglers in the US target them per year.

Time of year: Mid Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Streamers, Nymphs, Poppers, Catfish can go after almost any type of fly

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Sinking Tip or Floating line)

Locations: Any park Lake (Catfish season during the California DFG stocks)

REDEAR SUNFISH

Sean Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:07:00 +0000

Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) are from the Sunfish Family. This fish is native to the South Eastern part of the US, but have been introduced all over North America. Redear Sunfish resemble Bluegill, except for their coloration, and they tend to be larger. They can be identified by the Red or Orange slit on the extension of the gill plate. They are notorious as bottom feeders for snails and other shelled creatures hence the nickname “Shellcracker”.. However they will also eat just about anything that Bluegill eat, and can many times be found in the same water.

Time of year: Late Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Dropper fly system, Small Streamers, Snails and small Crayfish imitations

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Floating line or sinking tip)

Locations: Many Southern California Park Lakes, Piru Lake, Castaic Lake

FATHEAD MINNOW

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:37:21 +0000

The Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) is a minnow whose Golden Strain is common sold as feeder fish under the name Rosy-Red Minnow. This fish is very tolerant of low oxygenated and/or polluted waters and can be found in streams that might be uninhabitable to other fish.

Time of year: Year Round

Locations: Introduced into many park lakes as a feeder fish

BROWN TROUT

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:29:56 +0000

The Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta) is also known by it’s anadromous form the Sea Trout. The Brown Trout is considered to be native to Europe and parts of Asia, but have been planted all over the world as a sport fish. They are usually found in well oxygenated waters (especially in mountain streams) and hold in water where there are undercut banks, submereged rocks, and overhanging vegitation. Browns are oppertunistic feeders in Freshwater feeding on; insects, smaller fish (including other trout), mice, birds, etc.

Time of year: Early Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Dries, Nymphs, Emergers, Streamers

Rod and Reel: 0-5 Weight Rod and Reel depending on the water (6-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF or DT Floating line)

Locations: Many Mountain Streams throughout the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and Sierra Mountains.

SPOTTED BASS

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:19:03 +0000

The Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus) is a species of Black Bass that looks very similar to the Largemouth Bass. A common way to distinguish the Spotted from the Largemouth is the more broken coloration of the lateral line, and the Spotted Bass has a mouth that more resembles a Smallmouth Bass. The Spotted Bass is native to the Mississippi River Basin, but has been introduced into a few Southern California Waters. Their Diet is very similar to the Largemouth Bass.

Time of year: Early Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Streamers, Bait fish imitations, Worm Imitations, Poppers, Frogs, Crayfish Imitations

Rod and Reel: 5-8 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with stiff action, and WF or DT Floating line)

Locations: A few Southern California Lakes and Park Lakes

MOZAMBIQUE TILAPIA

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:49:00 +0000

The Mozambique Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus is a fish that is said to be native to East Africa, but today can be found all over the world. Most Tilapia are introduced to waters for agricultural purposes, beacause they are omnivorous eating plant life, insects, and other small fish. Tilapia fight hard for their size, and can be very beautiful fish.

Time of year: Early Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Dropper fly system, Will take almost any kind of fly

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Floating line)

Locations: RARE (Due to imbreeding and loss of habitat to the Nile Tilapia)

GREEN SUNFISH

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:12:00 +0000

The Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) belongs to the Sunfish family, and can be found in many of the same waters and will interbreed with Bluegill. Green Sunfish are small fish reaching a maximum length of about 12 inches. Green Sunfish serve as a food sorce for many larger game fish such as Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish. These fish have a wide variety of colors and amarkings, but can be identified from other Sunfish by their larger mouth which is similar to the Largemouth Bass.

Time of year: Late Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Dropper fly system, Small Streamers

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Floating line)

Locations: Whittier Narrows, Any Park Lake

RAINBOW TROUT

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:10:00 +0000

The Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a member of the Salmonoid Family, and the ocean going (anadromous) form are known as Steelhead. Rainbow Trout have a varied diet eating a mixture of smaller fish ad insects, almost from the time that they are born. As a rule of thumb you might hear that as Rainbow Trout get older they consume more fish than insects, however insects are always a stable part of their diet.

Time of year: Early Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Dries, Nymphs, Emergers, Streamers

Rod and Reel: 0-5 Weight Rod and Reel depending on the water (6-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF or DT Floating line)

Locations: San Gabriel River, Piru Creek, Santa Anita Creek, Arroyo Seco Creek, Trabuco Creek, Almost Any Park Lake (during california DFG stocking season)

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:09:00 +0000

The Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) is the largest of the black bass family, and live to an average of about 16 years. Adult Largemouth Bass are usually the apex predator of their habitat feeding on smaller fish such as Trout, Sunfish, and Shad. Largmouth can be identified from Smallmouth Bass by their Upper Jaw extending beyond the eye socket allowing the mouth to open wider, hence their name.

Time of year: Early Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Streamers, Bait fish imitations, Worm Imitations, Poppers, Frogs, Crayfish Imitations

Rod and Reel: 5-8 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with stiff action, and WF or DT Floating line)

Locations: Any Park Lake

BLUEGILL

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:06:00 +0000

The Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a member of the Sunfish Family. The Bluegill is Native to North America, and is common in water all the way from Canada down to Mexico. The Bluegill’s most notable feature is the blue or black extension of the gill plate. Bluegill serve as a food source for many larger game fish such as Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass, and are usually found in schools of anywhere from 2 to 30 fish.

Time of year: Late Spring through Late Fall

Flies: Dropper fly system, Small Streamers

Rod and Reel: 3-5 Weight Rod and Reel (7-9 Foot Rod with good action, and WF Floating line)

Locations: Any Park Lake

COMMON CARP

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:28:00 +0000

The Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the most widespread fish in the world. The Common Carp is very closely related to the Goldfish, and will sometimes interbreed with Goldfish if introduced into the same water source. The Common Carp is native to Asia and Eastern Europe, and are considered by many to be an invasive species, due to the fact that these fish can live in almost any condition of water, can live to be over 50 years old, and when spawning can lay over 300,000 eggs in one spawn. Carp are omnivorous bottom feeeders, but can also be seen eating from the surface of the water.

Time of year: Year-round (most Active from late spring to early fall

Flies: Carp are caught on a wide variety of flies. Most common are Weighted Nymphs, Egg Flies, Vegitation Imitations, and Leech Imitations

Rod and Reel: A Rod with a good backbone and a reel with a great drag system. I would recommend at least a 5-8 weight and alot of fly line and backing if your fishing water where the carp can make a run.

Locations: La River, Whittier Narrows, Any Park Lake

WALLEYE SURFPERCH

Sean Fenner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:39:50 +0000

The Walleye Surfperch (Hyperprosopona argenteum) is one of the most commonly caught saltwater fish while surffishing in Southern California. This fish is often caught in schools of 50-100 fish, and they are small fish usually no bigger than 6-10 inches. Their main diet consits of crustations, but they will take just about any fly that can fit in their mouths.

Time of year: Year-round (most active from early summer to late fall)

Flies: Almost any fly that weill fit in their mouths

Rod and Reel: A Rod with a good backbone, I recommend at least a 6 weight. Walleye Surfperch are commonly caught while fishing for other larger fish which need a heavier rod.

Locations: Any Surf, Bay, Jetty, Pier, Etc location in Southern California