Sightings – Fish
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/5/11
Observation Time: 6:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Black Crappie (Calico Bass)
Scientific Name: Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Comments: Crappies are a popular sport fish, as they are easy to catch when they are feeding. As with other freshwater species in Massachusetts, crappies accumulate mercury in their tissues as a result of environmental pollution from power plants.
More Information: All About Fishing
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/4/10
Observation Time: 11:30 a.m.
Observation Location: Borderland State Park
Common Name: Bluegill Sunfish
Scientific Name: Lepomis macrochirus
Comments: This bluegill sunfish was guarding its eggs.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/4/10
Observation Time: 11:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Bluegill Sunfish
Scientific Name: Lepomis macrochirus
Comments: These sunfish were spawning on a sandy area near the shore.
More Information: Southshore Fishing
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/27/10
Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.
Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts
Common Name: Bullhead Catfish
Scientific Name: Ameiurus melas
Comments: I noticed a number of small black fish swimming near the dam, so I got a dipnet and caught this one (don’t worry, I released it alive!). It turned out to be a bullhead catfish. When the Department of Fish and Game sampled the fish in Beaver Brook on August 25, 2008 with electro-shocking equipment (which stuns but does not kill the fish) they found redfin pickerel, sunfish, bass and American eels, but they did not find bullhead catfish.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/11/15
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: Largemouth bass
Scientific Name: Micropterus salmoides
Comments: There are some big largemouth bass in Lake Massapoag, which also supports a population of smallmouth bass. Largemouth bass are also present in smaller ponds in Sharon but smallmouth bass require cool, clear water so they are found only in the spring-fed waters of Lake Massapoag.
More Information: American Expedition
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/11/10
Observation Time: 8:00 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond outflow pool
Common Name: Redfin Pickerel
Scientific Name: Esox americanus americanus
Comments: Redfin pickerel only reach a maximum of about a foot in length. They are typically much smaller—this specimen was only about 4″ long. They are common in Sharon’s streams. Preys on invertibrates and smaller fish.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/10/15
Observation Time: 7:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Lake Massapoag
Common Name: White Perch
Scientific Name: Morone Americana
Comments: There are lots of white perch in Lake Massapoag. This one died and washed up on the shore.
More Information: MA Fish Finder
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/17/13
Observation Time: 12:40
Observation Location: Beaver Brook, Sharon (downstream of the wooden footbridge near the tennis courts at the outbound train station)
Common Name: White Sucker
Scientific Name: Catostomus commersoni
Comments: White suckers spawn in Beaver Brook for a few days in mid to late April. Remember to look for them after you file your taxes. Note the reddish stripes on the sides of the males flanking the female in the photo. The female and the males release their eggs and sperm simultaneously, thrashing their tails to mix them and ensure fertilization. White suckers also spawn in Sucker Brook where it enters Lake Massapoag near the entrance to the Community Center.
Check out this 2-minute video of white suckers spawning in Beaver Brook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru_KsfE4ZJQ
Observer: Richard Kramer
Observation Date: 4/19/13
Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Sucker Brook near the entrance to the Community Center
Common Name: White Sucker
Scientific Name: Catostomus commersoni
Comments: White suckers spawn in Sucker Brook for a few days in mid to late April. Remember to look for them after you file your taxes. The female and the males release their eggs and sperm simultaneously, thrashing their tails to mix them and ensure fertilization. White suckers also spawn in Beaver Brook just downstream of the wooden footbridge near the tennis courts at the outbound train station.
Check out this 2-minute video of white suckers spawning in Beaver Brook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru_KsfE4ZJQ
More Information: Massachusetts Wildlife
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 4/25/09
Observation Location: Beaver Brook, Sharon (downstream of the wooden foot bridge near the tennis courts)
Common Name: White Sucker
Scientific Name: Catostomus commersoni
Comments: White suckers in spawning frenzy in Beaver Brook, 4/25/09. Note the red stripes and erect dorsal fins. Suckers typically spawn for a few days sometime between April 15 and April 30. They also spawn in Sucker Brook where it enters Lake Massapoag near the entrance to the Community Center.
2-minute video of white suckers spawning in Beaver Brook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru_KsfE4ZJQ
