Fish ID

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Seneca Creek

Here is a photo of the 10" fish we caught in the Seneca Creek Stream just downstream of the Road bridge, in Germantown, MD on a worm and spinner. It took the line like a bass, and did a lot of drumming/croaking while we took it off the hook. It had a dark olive back, with prominent scale scallop pattern. Fish had no spots, no stripes, a soft white underbelly with pinkish tinge, and red fins. Silhouette very trout-like.

We are new to coastal estuary fishing, and wonder if this is a baby red drummer without a spot, or a baby silver drummer without the characteristic yellow fins? If it is a drummer, doss it seem odd that it is so far upstream from the estuary waters?

Thanks for any education you can provide us on our mystery fish. It is the first time she caught a fish we couldn't identify!

DNR Response: You caught a Fallfish. They are very common in our inland rivers and streams. They can grow as large as 15� or so.