Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus

            One of the most notable features of this fish is its great gaping mouth with a projecting lower jaw and numerous sharp teeth. The largest individual on record is 15.2 cm. in length and weighing 36.3 kg.  The colouring is typically bold, mottled colours in shades of brown, grey, or green. Lingcod can be found all along the western coast of North America but the greatest abundance occurs in the region of British Columbia. They generally prefer to inhabit rocky areas or the edge of underwater reefs. Adult ling cod prey on a variety of fish including ling cod. The flesh is quite tasty and turns white when cooked.

Rock cod (Snappers)

Rock cod (Snappers)

            This species is distinguished by its heavy, stout build. They have a large, broad head usually bearing spines and strong ridges. General colouring ranges from black to dull green through brilliant orange and crimson. Some have red or black vertical stripes. This bottom species can be found in both the Northern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. May live over 70 years. Most of this fish is given to the U.S.A with some exported to Japan and Europe.

Pacific Halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis

Pacific Halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis

            This fish is recognized by its elongate, slender, compressed body. The mouth is large and has well developed teeth on both sides of the jaws. The halibut is dark brown on its eyed side and irregularly blotched with a lighter white on its bland side. The maximum length of the male is 4 feet 7 inches, the female, 8 feet 9 inches. The halibut is very abundant along the Pacific shores of Canada all the way to the Bering Sea, Occurring from very shallow waters up to 600 fathoms. Main food consists of fish, crabs, clams, squids. The halibut is one of the most important commercial fishes in B.C. The livers of this fish are used in the production of vitamin A. Flesh is white and firm. Queen Charlotte lodge record halibut 183 lbs-2000.

Pygmy Whitefish Prosopium coulterl

Pygmy Whitefish Prosopium coulterl

            This species is about 4-5 inches in length with a cylindrical elongate body and large eyes. It is a brownish colour with silvery sides and a white belly. Faint spots are sometimes present. The pygmy whitefish occurs in the Columbia, Fraser, Skeena, Peace and Laird River systems in British Columbia. They thrive in lakes and flowing waters of clear and silted waters of mountainous country. The female grows faster and lives longer than the male (female 9 years’ male-6 years).

Yellow Perch (Lake Perch) Percaflavescent

Yellow Perch (Lake Perch) Percaflavescent

            This oval shaped fish is generally 4-10 inches long. The colouring varies with site and habit but usually the back and head are a bright green to olive or golden brown, the sides are a yellow-green to yellow with the colour of the back extending down in about seven tapering bars. The yellow Perch have almost circum polar distribution in the fresh waters of the northern hemisphere. The flesh is white, flaky and delicious.

Northern Pike (Jack) Esoxlucuis

Official World Record for Length

http://www.bdoutdoors.com/story/december-2011-pike-all-tackle-length-record/

Angler Mark "Doc" Hatton of West Milford, New Jersey, recently took a trip to Canada to target some of the fantastic northern pike fishing the country has to offer. Hatton did not leave disappointed. Fishing with guide Chad Beck on September 26, 2011, Hatton landed and released a huge northern pike (Esox lucius) while casting an Eppinger Husky on the Taltson River, NW Territories, Canada. Measuring 118 cm, Hatton's monster pike qualifies for the potential new IGFA All-Tackle Length record. The current IGFA record is 90 cm and was set three months prior by Stan Nabozny in the United Kingdom's Avon River.


Northern Pike (Jack) Esoxlucuis

            Of all species in Canada this is considered the monster. A large pike is over 4feet in length (pike measuring well over 5 ft. long and weighing over 55pounds have been caught in Alberta lakes) with a slimy, serpentine body and clamp like jaws with many fangs pointing backwards. The basic colouring of this fish is light spots on a darker backing, the back being a brilliant green through olive -green to almost brown. The eyes are a brilliant yellow. This is primarily a freshwater fish found in clear, warm, slowly meandering rivers and in warm weedy bays of lakes. They occur throughout the four western provinces. Life expectancy ranges from 10 -26 years according to the area. They feed on other fish, frogs, crayfish, mice, muskrats, and ducklings, small birds, really almost anything living that they are able to catch. It is a very delicious food. The flesh is white, sweet and flaky. 

Burbot or Ling Lota Lota linnaeus

Burbot or Ling Lota Lota linnaeus

            The North Country’s only fresh water representative of the primarily ocean dwelling Cod fish Family. With an elongate body, this species averages a length of 15 inches. They are distributed throughout the fresh waters of Europe, Asia, and North America. Ling grow to be as large as 9 kg., in Canada.

The flesh is delicious and nutritious but because it is regarded as a course fish is not widely sought after.