How to tell fish age??

[FisherPotch]

Interesting topic and I'm not sure I've seen it come up on the forum before.

Obviously species and water temp will be large factors. As well as how much feed the fish have access too. But how about oxygen levels and mineral concentrations? And what about stunted fisheries with too many small fish? Or a lake with too many big fish?

Certainly there are a ton of variables. But is there a solid method to tell how old a fish is? Or does one have to guesstimate based on the water body and species?

[DiabeticKripple]

I think BeeGuy has aged a few fish based off of their scales. Not sure how he does it though.

[Speckle55]

Here is your answer under my name :reading:

My Brook Trout 12#13oz was aged at 13 years old
My Pike at 32#5 was aged at 25 years old

Both were aged by David Donald Canadian Fisheries Bio

David:)
http://www.marinebiodiversity.ca/otolith/english/determine.htm

[fish gunner]

A fishes scales show rings like a tree. A true mesurement is from a bone in the "ear" coxis or some such book readn word. A microscope is required for most fish.

[MtnGiant]

A fishes scales show rings like a tree. A true mesurement is from a bone in the "ear" coxis or some such book readn word. A microscope is required for most fish.

And how do you judge the age of a fisherman? :)

[fish gunner]

And how do you judge the age of a fisherman? :)

How long he spends watching the water befor he starts fishing.:)

[MtnGiant]

How long he spends watching the water befor he starts fishing.:)

Good call :)

[Nickote316]

Good call :)

Or by counting the stretch marks on thier beer gut :)

[fish gunner]

Or by counting the stretch marks on thier beer gut :)

That is not proof of fishing as a hobby.

[waterninja]

very good question. probably do need some specialized equipement.
all i know is that i'm always inviting the fish i release to send thier grandpa or great grandpa my way.lol.

[FishHunterPro]

A fishes scales show rings like a tree. A true mesurement is from a bone in the "ear" coxis or some such book readn word. A microscope is required for most fish.

X2 I had a lady take a few scales from my sockeye in port alberni to find out the age .

[FisherPotch]

Sweet thanks for the help.
I got a good trout recently, and now I'm wishing I was on top of this sooner.

So how about C&R fish? Is there an means of estimating with much accuracy?

[Deep]

Gunner- you have the correct method, as opposed to scales.

[Speckle55]

Post 3 the website under my name is the right answer here it is again

http://www.marinebiodiversity.ca/otolith/english/determine.htm
Food for Thought
David:)

[BeeGuy]

I have a few threads on here with pics of scales and otoliths taken through my microscope.

[FisherPotch]

I have a few threads on here with pics of scales and otoliths taken through my microscope.

Are the scales good for a ballpark? Do the scales get rings as well?

[Deep]

Right, you are Speckle...I just quickly glanced over the posts.

[Kurt505]

I've been doing it all wrong! I guess cutting them in half and counting the rings is a myth :(

[Redfrog]

I understand the rings on the scales give you the age.

For C/R you can send the head in for aging.:)

[BeeGuy]

Are the scales good for a ballpark? Do the scales get rings as well?

Yes can use the scales.

There is lots of literature available on aging fish this way.

It is best to compare scales across the age classes for the species you are studying.

And/Or remove the otoliths.

[FisherPotch]

So I've had my brown with the taxidermist a few weeks now. Is it too late?

[winger7mm]

I've been doing it all wrong! I guess cutting them in half and counting the rings is a myth :(

Lmao thats a funny answer :)

[Dan the Saskbertan]

I've been doing it all wrong! I guess cutting them in half and counting the rings is a myth :(

Everyone knows that the most accurate method to determine the age of the fish is to taste the slime behind their gills.

Dan

[BeeGuy]

So I've had my brown with the taxidermist a few weeks now. Is it too late?

You need to get the skull.