2-3 pounds. They feed on zooplankton and insects as young, and as adults they feed primarily 

 on fish and crayfish. The smallmouth is generally a long-lived, slow growing species. They are 

 highly esteemed by anglers for their fighting ability. 



Piimpkin!«i<>ds 



Pumpkinseeds are commonly referred to as sunfish. They spawn in spring along lakeshores by 

 fanning out small saucer-shaped dq)ressions. They eat zooplankton, insects, and fish fry. They 

 generally do not grow larger than six inches. 



Pumpkinseeds are tasty if large enough to fillet and are readily catchable by kids. Pumpkinseeds 

 readily hit bait and small lures but can reach nuisance densities and impact other gamefish. Their 

 saucer shape and spiny fins make them a poor prey species. 



Yellow Pterch 



Yellow perch spawn in spring along lakeshores in 2-10 feet of water. They broadcast strings of 

 eggs over vegetation. Perch eat zooplankton, insects, and small fish. 



Perch are very tasty and highly sought after if they reach 8 "-12". Unfortunately perch tend to 

 stunt out. Perch are readily catchable and vay popular with young anglers. Perch tend to inhabit 

 all areas of lakes and are fierce competitors with other fish. Hieir spiny fins make them 

 undesirable prey. 



Northern Pike 



Northern pike were ill^ally introduced into this area in the 1950s and are now widespread. Pike 

 spawn in the spring by broadcasting adhesive ^gs over v^etation in shallow water. Pike quickly 

 become predators and chiefly eat fish. They prefer to live in heavy cover in shallow water where 

 they can ambush their prey. 



Pike are fast-growing and comnKMily reach 5-10 pounds and can grow over 20 pounds. They are 

 highly prized by some anglers for the fighting and eating qualities, but hated by others because 

 of their predacious nature. Pike do eat some trout and salmon, but food habit studies have shown 

 that they eat primarily suckers, peamouth, and squawfish which inhabit heavy cover with pike. 



Tiger Miiskie 



The tigCT muskie is the result of the cross breeding of a female muskellunge and a male northern 

 pike. Tiger muskies are very adaptable to temperature and turbidity. The tiger muskie has been 

 planted in northeast Montana and grown to over 40 inches in length. 



The tiger muskie is sterile and does not spawn. It is known for its good eating, fast growth, 

 moderate catch rates, and large trophy size. It is highly piscivorous and prefers soft-ray finned 

 fish, minnows, suckers, etc., over spiny-ray firmed fish like yellow perch and pumpkinseeds. 



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