Originally posted by Pezman
I think that you should spear it, and then use your limnological expertise to formulate a taxonomic rationale that it's just an oversized carp/sucker and therefore a trash fish, making it fair game.
Can't do it. [BEEP BEEP - THIS IS A FISH GEEK ALERT - DO NOT ADJUST YOUR COMPUTER SCREENS]
Acipenseridae and Cyprinidae, although both being primitave fish (when compared to Acanthopterygii fishes - eg perch, bass, tuna, sea horses, and 14,000 other species), are still just too far apart (as this crude phylogenetic tree shows) to be grouped together. I mean, come on...ganoid scales, a heterocercal tail...might as well group dogs together with turtles while we're at it.
..................................Teleostei--Cypriniformes---CARP
................................./
....................Neopterygii--.......................Amiiformes
.................../.............\..................../
................../...............----------------
................./....................................\
ACTINOPTERYGII--........................................Semionotiformes
.................\.
..................\...............................Acipenseriformes---STURGEON
...................\............................/
....................Chondrostei-------
................................................\
..................................................Polypteryformes
On a side note. As a lover of fish (and all) taxonomy, I am a bit disgusted by the naming of McDonalds' "Fillet o' Fish" sandwich. There are over 50,000 species of fish! The most diverse group of vertebrates on the planet - encompassing more than half of all back-boned species! Far more species than all the mammals, or even tetrapods (4 legged animals). How comfortable would you be, eating a mammal sandwich? [insert Homer Simpson voice-over - "mmmm, mammal sandwich"] Well, if you look at the numbers, a "mammal" sandwich is by far more precise a definition than a "fish" sandwich.
Originally posted by Pezman
BTW, are you guys allowed to spear burbot in WI? Apparently that's the only fish that we can spear in PA (and only in Lake Erie). Do burbot hang out at a depth that lends itself to freedive spearfishing?
Yep, we get to stick burbot (grouped with 'rough' fish). They are actually pretty tasty (most agree). They are found everywhere and nowhere. I've shocked them out of 1-foot-deep streams, and have seen them hanging out on a wreck (L. Michigan) 80 feet deep. You can get to within point-blank range of them on the wrecks because the hole up and aren't afraid. A pole spear with a paralyzer on the end would be ideal. Hope to try it out someday. Polespearing at 80 feet? No one could say you aren't giving them a sporting chance.