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: 4/25/09
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
