Need better identification!

[MuskieBait]

Hi everyone,

Lately, there are a few entries posted that were poorly identified. Some of the photographs are also not very focused to help with identification.

To remind members the requirement for a valid entry, each species entered must be positively identified with clear photos to show the species' characteristics.

For example, an entry that simply state "Sunfish", "Redhorse sucker" or "Bullhead" is not sufficient. Although I had helped with correcting identification of some generic naming of these species, members MUST enter their entries with a correct ID.

Between MA and I, our vision for this contest is not only intended for bragging rights. We hope to encourage members to widen their fishing horizon for different species, and at the same time "forcing" members to work on their skills in identifying various species you may encounter in Ontario.

Mis-identification of species often leads to various issues...including the capture and possession of species that are out of season (eg. Atlantic Salmon looks very similar to Brown Trout), the misuse of Species At Risk species for bait (eg. Redside Dace, Black Reshorse, Spotted Suck...etc), and killing of native species that are confused with invasive species (eg. Bowfin, Slimy Sculpin...etc) or the transport and release of invasive that should not be done so (eg. Rudd, Round Goby...etc).

As such, future entries that are not specifically and properly identified will be disqualified. Members MUST provide the specific common name of the species.

In addition, various locations may have different common names for the same species. For example, Walleye is often known as Pickerel in Ontario. However, Pickerel is also the common name for a smaller species of fish in the Pike family (Esox). Thus, to remove "confusion", I'm going to further ask members to post the binomial nomenclature, otherwise known as the latin name, of the species. There is no confusion using the latin names.

Thanks for your attention.