Fish Species ›› The Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

The Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (PWFWCP)

Fish Identification

It is important that anglers know how to identify their catch so they can comply with regulations and aid in the conservation of the fisheries resources. Please consult the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before angling. About 10 species in the Williston and Dinosaur Watersheds are referred to as "Game Fish", but various types of minnows and suckers are also known to take lures and flies.

Game Fish

Family Salmonidae (salmonid)

pelvic fins directly below or slightly behind dorsal fin
adipose fin present

	Subfamily Coregoninae (whitefish)
			large scales no or weak teeth in jaws short dorsal fin base
	Subfamily Salmoninae (salmon, trout, char)
			small scales strong teeth in jaws short dorsal fin base
	Subfamily Thylmallinae (arctic grayling)
			large scales strong teeth in jaws long dorsal fin base

Family Gadidae (cod)

pelvic fins anterior to pectoral fins
single barbel at tip of chin
two dorsal fins, second fin and anal fin long

Non-Game Fish

Family Catostomidae (suckers)

pelvic fins directly below or slightly behind dorsal fin
no adipose fin
mouth strongly ventral
enlarged, fleshy lower lips
no teeth in jaws

Family Cottidae (sculpins)

pelvic fins immediately under pectoral fins
no barbels on chin
two dorsal fins, anal fin short
gill membrane attached to isthmus

Family Cyprinidae (minnows)

pelvic fins directly below or slightly behind dorsal fin
no adipose fin
mouth usually terminal
lower lips normal, not enlarged
no teeth in jaws

The Fish identification keys are obtained from the Freshwater Fish Resource Directory for the Upper Peace System, produced by Dr. J.D. McPhail and D.L. McPhail, 2004.

A joint initiative of BC Hydro, the BC Ministry of Environment, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada