Species profile
Mottled Sculpin
Cottus bairdii
Identify Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 1,979 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Adults rarely exceed 5 inches in length.
- Lacks a swim bladder, keeping it permanently on the stream bottom.
- Males guard egg clusters attached to the underside of rocks after spawning.
- Thrives in cold, clear, fast-moving streams with gravel substrate.
- Typical wild lifespan is 3–5 years.
Where Mottled Sculpin are seen
Background
The mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) is a freshwater sculpin (family Cottidae) found widely although unevenly throughout North America.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Mottled Sculpin article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mottled Sculpin?
Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Mottled Sculpin?
Mottled Sculpin is Cottus bairdii.
Are there fishing rules for Mottled Sculpin?
Mottled Sculpin does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Mottled Sculpin?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Mottled Sculpin along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.