Follow us on social media and keep up-to-date with Canada's fishing and hunting authority. The Allegheny River contained this fish before 1900. The mooneye is a medium-sized fish, usually reaching 11-15 inches in length and 1-2 pounds in weight. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close Color varies from steel blue on the back to silver sides and a white belly. The mooneye (Hiodon tergisus Lesueur, 1818) is widespread across North America, living in the clear waters of lakes, ponds, and rivers. Mooneyes can reach 47 centimetres (19 in) in length. The eye has a silvery iris. I looked at your photo, and you are correct—it’s definitely a mooneye, and a pretty good sized one, too.
While goldeyes and mooneyes are not widely distributed across North America—certainly not like walleye, bass and most trout species—I would not exactly call them “rare” either. That is because when and where you find them, especially in places like the English River, they are actually quite plentiful and common. While the mooneye is thought to be extirpated from New York portions of Lakes Ontario, there remains a modest population in of this fish in Lake Champlain. It has a flattened slab-sided body that is silvery in color. Known in fishing circles as Doctor Pyzer, he worked for 30 years as a senior manager with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources before devoting all his energies to fishing. It has several distinguishing characteristics including: large, prominent eyes; a short snout; smooth, rather than saw-edged, scales on the belly; and a small flap (called a pelvic axillary process) located just above the pelvic fin. Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) are similar in appearance to cisco and lake whitefish. There are also remnant populations in Black Lake, the Oswegatchie River, Lake Erie, the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek and the St. Lawrence River. It has a flattened slab-sided body that is silvery in color. Mooneye are characterized by having large eyes. The belly has a fleshy keel, but lacks scutes. While the exact causes of population declines are not known, it is due in part to increased siltation occurring in clear water areas where mooneye normally occur.DEC will continue to protect the mooneye from harvest. And they’re so far off the radar of most anglers that you can practically have this great gamefish all to yourself. Female mooneye release approximately 10,000-20,000 eggs.By the end of the first year, a mooneye grows to be four inches in length. Catch Gord on the Outdoor Journal Radio Show live every Saturday morning 8:05AM EST.
A member of the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame, the award-winning writer is also an internationally sought out speaker, tournament angler and field editor with In-Fisherman Magazine and Television. It looked like a goldeye but it was silver and black, and around 20 inches long. The mooneye is a spirited catch but is not greatly valued as food. The fish has adip… In addition, the mooneye has teeth on the tongue and on the middle of the roof of the mouth.A spring spawner, the mooneye migrates into medium to large-sized rivers from March through May to deposit its eggs. In addition, the mooneye has teeth on the tongue and on the middle of the roof of the mouth.
You are most likely to catch mooneye while fishing the Rainy River, or near the mouth of the Rainy River in the Pine Island area. Plus, they make for good eating out of the smoker. You also agree to receive email updates on new posts and offers. They are one of only two members of the Mooneye family, the other being the goldeye. The mooneye prefers clear water habitat of large streams, rivers, and lakes.Mooneye populations are decreasing both in numbers and in locations where they are found.
Adults deposit the eggs over rocks in swift water areas.The eggs are covered in a gelatinous material similar to frog's eggs. Meet the goldeye (above), a small but very sporting fish found throughout much of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.