Need help identifying a fish? DNR can help

With more than 200 fish species in Indiana waters, anglers sometimes catch fish they can’t immediately identify.

A new online tool through the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife can help. The Fish Identification Form allows the public to submit photos and information for free directly to fisheries biologists for help with identification.

The form is at wildlife.IN.gov/9448.htm.

The new tool will not only serve anglers but also benefit science. Information collected from the forms will help biologists track rare species and identify locations of invasive species.

“After several years of getting photos through email or social media, I thought it would be best to have a place where people could submit them directly to a biologist,” said Brant Fisher, DNR nongame aquatic biologist.

When submitting photos, include:

1. A picture of the entire fish with something in it to reference size (ruler, coin, hand).
2. Close-ups of unique features of the fish.

Email photos to fishid@dnr.IN.gov in medium-size .jpeg file format. Videos should be .mp4, .wmv or .mov and less than 10 MB in size.

Information collected on the Fish Identification Form includes length, weight, distinguishing characteristics, location and date of catch, and observer information.