One of the most popular game fish in the United States is the whitley. Its Latin name, “spiculous anguilla,” means “spiculed, striped, or blotched river fish.” This colorful fish can be found in most rivers and lakes in North America, but the most famous population comes from the Great Lakes. Anglers have known these beautiful fish for decades and have spent thousands of dollars trying to capture one for themselves.
Table of Contents
How Many Cases Can You Get For A Whitley?
The price of a whitley varies a lot, but the general rule of thumb is one fish per angler per day. The fish’s size also affects the price, with larger fish costing more than smaller ones. Every autumn, anglers go crazy buying corn, doughnuts, and other snacks to lure in the fish. The more you eat, the more you can eat! It costs a lot to maintain a fishing camp for a whole season, so most fishermen will go “all in” at the end of the season, reeling in as many as they can before the water temperature drops too much.
How Big Do They Get?
The general rule of thumb for whitley is that the bigger, the better. Many fishermen will go for broke, trying to catch a monster whitley during “chicken season.” These fishermen use “tiger shrimp lures” and other similar lures, hoping to catch a fish that outweighs them. Although it is not uncommon to catch a fish that’s a few inches longer than you are, weigh-ins are a must! Make sure you keep track of how much the fish you catch weigh, as this is how you will be billed for your catch.
Where Do They Live?
Most whitley fish live in freshwater, but they can also be found in brackish areas. They are most abundant in lakes, but they can be found in most types of rivers and will even turn up in the ocean near coastal areas. Whitley are one of the most popular game fish in the country, and many people enjoy fishing for them because of their beautiful colors and large size. In the wild, these fish are usually found in groups in freshwater or in the estuaries of large saltwater lakes. If you want to catch a whitley, try fishing in areas with a lot of vegetation and cover, as this will help you camouflage yourself from the fish as well as give you some places to seek shelter if needed.
When Do They Eat?
Whitley feed mainly on aquatic insects and plants, but they will also eat fish, worms, and larva. The fish they consume in the wild will help to sustain the population and help keep the fish species healthy. These animals are also a part of the food chain, and so eating them encourages the body to retain some of its natural oils, making it less likely you will get sick from eating unhealthy food.
How Long Do They Live?
The whitley’s lifespan is approximately six to seven years, but this can vary a lot. The fish’s health and the water temperature will affect the lifespan, with cold water and colder temperatures diminishing the lifespan. In the wild, these fish have a lifespan of about eleven years.
This makes it one of the longer-living freshwater fish, along with the golden fish, the lake sturgeon, and the short-lived bowfin. The lifespan of whitley in the wild is about twice as long as the average lifespan of a fish in captivity, which is one of the reasons why these fish are so popular amongst anglers.
Are There Different Varieties?
Yes, there are several varieties of the whitley, which can be identified by the stripes and spots on their bodies. The most common variety in North America is the speckled whitley, which has dark and light spots on a light gray or olive background. This fish has a lifespan of about six years and an average size of about eight pounds. The barred, splotched, and banded varieties are also quite common and have been found in the Great Lakes region. The banded and splotched varieties will have dark bands or spots running through their light gray or olive bodies. The barred variety will have dark and light bars running vertically down its body, with the light bars being shorter in length and more apparent towards the tail.
Are They Good To Eat?
Yes, all varieties of whitley are edible, but some are considered more “sporty” and “gamey” than “pastry” and “pie-worthy.” The speckled and the banded varieties are often considered the most “gamey” and are eaten mostly fried or battered. The barred and the short-lived “sculpin-y” varieties are more often cooked and served cold, as their flavor isn’t as strong.
If you want to try out the sweet taste of whitley, go for the speckled or the banded varieties, as they tend to be softer than the other two varieties and are usually served unadorned. Of course, you can always top your fish with tartar sauce, creamy mustard, or lemon wedges for a little zing!
Where Do They Belong In A Pond Or Lake?
In a lake or pond, the whitley will happily live in a mixture of freshwater and saltwater, as they do not mind the brackish water. In fact, they often favor it over fresh water and can be found in large fresh water bodies, even estuaries where the salinity is high. They are quite comfortable in these areas and often go about their business, unaware of what is going on around them.
However, if you do decide to bring your catch home, it is advisable to clean the fish well beforehand. Many people eat fish immediately after catching them, but this is risky as the toxins from the fish’s exoskeleton can still be present and cause sickness. The fish should be removed from the water and placed on a clean surface, such as ice or a large plate, before eating. This will help remove some of the toxins that are stored in the fish’s muscles and make the meat more digestible.
What Do They Look Like?
The whitley has a relatively small head, a large mouth lined with tiny needlelike teeth, and flat, oval-shaped bodies covered in tiny scales. They typically grow to be around eight pounds in weight, but larger varieties have been recorded, reaching up to fifteen pounds. Like most other fish, the whitley has symmetrical, bony fins along the body, a dorsal fin, and two anal fins. They also have a natural camouflage, which is gray with dark stripes and spots on a light background. As mentioned above, there are several varieties of these fish, with the barred and speckled varieties being the most common. The short-lived banded variety is also quite common and is often mistaken for the long-lived speckled variety. Although there are no set measurements for the whitley, there is a commonly used guide to help you determine the size of the fish: