I’m a pretty new fisherman, and I keep seeing people on YouTube identify fish like it’s second nature.
I want to be able to do that.
So I built FishID — a simple app to help me learn fish identification faster (and hopefully help other new anglers too).
Try it here: fishid.theoutdoorprogrammer.com
Why this exists
It exists because I want to learn how to identify fish easily.
When you’re new, everything feels like a guess — and I don’t want to rely on vibes (or comments) to figure out what I caught.
FishID is my attempt to get reps in, learn the common species, and build that “second nature” recognition over time.
How FishID works
FishID isn’t just a list — it’s built to help you learn.
The app focuses on the stuff that actually helps on the water:
- Visual ID practice: quick quizzes to train your eye on shapes and patterns
- Key features: the 1–2 “tells” that separate lookalikes
- Habitat context: connecting fish to where you’d realistically find them in Ohio
- Spot-the-difference: a harder mode for the fish people confuse most
Ohio-first (on purpose)
FishID is aimed at new Ohio anglers, so the content leans local:
- Habitats include things like Lake Erie and tributaries, Ohio inland lakes and reservoirs, Ohio River and large tributaries, and Ohio creeks and small rivers
- References lean toward ODNR resources where possible
Long-term, I want it to help with practical “on the water” confidence:
- “Is this species common in the water I’m fishing?”
- “What’s the fastest visual check to confirm?”
- “What’s the fish people mix this up with?”
The tech (briefly)
For the tech-curious: FishID is a lightweight web app (PWA-style). I built it that way because I want it to feel fast on a phone, and still be usable when your signal is questionable.
No app store download needed — just open the link and go.
What’s next
A few things I’m planning to add:
- More Ohio-specific references per species (ODNR pages where available)
- Better lookalike pairings (and clearer hints)
- Gentle rule reminders (not legal advice — more like “double check ODNR regs” prompts)
- Regional lesson packs (Lake Erie basics vs. smallmouth rivers vs. farm ponds)
If you try it, tell me what you think
If you try it, I’d love feedback.
Email me: joey@theoutdoorprogrammer.com
A few things I’m especially curious about:
- What species tripped you up when you started?
- What’s the one feature you wish someone told you to look for sooner?
- What kind of water do you fish most in Ohio?