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OSCAR
FRESHWATER FISHING
Oscar
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Oscar
(Astronotus
ocellatus) Common Name - Oscar
Description - Young fish have wavy white and
orange markings on black background; body and fins of
adults with olive blue-green and mustard colors,
highlighting large dark blotches, and a bright red
eyespot at base of upper caudal fin; stout more oval
body shape than native bream; some have orange or red
markings and all have a thick mucus coat on the body.
Range – Most abundant in canals of water
conservation areas and Everglades habitats of Collier,
western Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Occurs throughout south Florida, but typically not as
abundant as in marsh-related canals. Native range
includes the Orinoco, La Plata, and Amazon river basins
in South America.
Habitat – Most successful in canals running
through marsh habitats, although found in lesser numbers
in coastal canals, ponds, and lakes in from central
Florida southward.
Spawning Habits – Spawning normally takes
place on flat, solid surfaces when water temperatures
warm to 82-91oF; female typically lays about 3,000 eggs
and both parents occasionally seen guarding hundreds of
young in shallow water along shorelines.
Feeding Habits - Feed primarily on small fish,
insects, and crustaceans.
Age And Growth – Two-pound fish are considered
large. The IGFA record caught in Florida was an
exceptional fish reported to weigh 3.5 lbs; oscars
caught in the Everglades average 10 inches and 3/4th of
a pound; biologists do not know how long oscars
typically live.
Sporting Quality - Hard-fighting, panfish-type
fishery; especially popular in water conservation areas
of south Florida, where it ranks second in popularity
only to largemouth bass; strikes a variety of baits
including cut fish, cut shrimp, crickets, and worms;
best artificial baits include small jigs tipped with cut
bait and small spinnerbaits; flyfishing also productive;
described as a boom and bust fishery since periodically
experience major winterkills but when abundant, angler
catch rates are exceptional; no bag or size limits.
Edibility - White, flaky meat with good
flavor.
State Record - State record is 2.34 pounds
caught in Lake Okeechobee, Palm Beach County, 1994.
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