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serrated, and protect them from predators when young. ● Eyes are comparatively small; channel catfi sh are not typically sight feeders. Interesting facts: ● Channel catfi sh will spawn in hollow logs and holes under rocks. ● Summer spawner. ● Males tend and defend the nests. ● Highly variable growth rates depending on habitat. ● After largemouth bass, the most targeted fi sh in Nebraska. Fishing tips: Fish worms, doughbaits, frozen shrimp or even hot dogs with a slack line off the bottom. BLACK BULLHEAD Scientifi c name: Ameiurus melas From the Greek, ameiurus means "unforked fi n" and melas means "black." Average size: Adult size is much smaller than the channel catfi sh. A master angler is 15 inches long or 2 pounds. The Nebraska state record is 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Habitat: Commonly found in still, shallow and turbid waters with little or no aquatic vegetation. Can handle low oxygen environments. RAINBOW TROUT Scientifi c name: Oncorhynchus mykiss From the Greek, oncorhynchus means "hooked nose" and mykiss is the common name of this species in Asia, where it was fi rst identifi ed hundreds of years ago. Diet: Like channel catfi sh, bullhead are bottom feeders and opportunistic eaters and will consume just about anything, including dead and decaying matter. Activity: Adults feed primarily at night, but can be caught anytime on hook and line. Identifying characteristics: ● Elongate, slender bodied. ● Smooth, scaleless skin. ● Black barbels around the mouth ● Small, fatty tissue adipose fi n near the tail. ● Dark greenish brown/black in color with a yellow belly. ● Tail fi n is rounded instead of forked. Interesting facts: ● Spawn in late spring, early summer. ● Males or females will select and guard nest sites beneath logs or in weedy cover. Fishing tips: Fish a worm on the bottom or close to the bottom using a bobber. Average size: Average adult size is 8-15 inches, but can grow quite large in good habitat. A master angler is 23 inches or 5 pounds. The Nebraska state record is 14 pounds, 2 ounces. Habitat: Requires cold, well-oxygenated water; can't survive extended periods in water temperatures more than 70 degrees. Can survive year-round in the coolwater streams of western and north-central Nebraska. Diet: Eats mostly insects, snails, crayfi sh and sometimes small fi sh. Activity: Active throughout the day, but most active at dawn and dusk. FISH SPECIES ARTWORK BY JOSEPH TOMELLERI 29 CHAPTER 5 ● IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE HISTORY