1. Two dorsal fins, separated by deep notch: anal spines 2-3: lateral line extending onto caudal fin ................................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Single dorsal fin; adipose fin present, directly above anal fin; anal rays 12-16; dorsal rays 8-11; deeply notched caudal fin .......... (Famliy Osmeridae, Osmerus mordax, Rainbow Smelt)
2. Anal spines two, first very small; lateral line continues across entire length of caudal fin; caudal fin rounded, nearly pointed ........(Family Sciaenidae, Aplodinotus grunniens, Freshwater Drum)
2. Anal spines 3; lateral line not extending entire length of caudal fin; caudal fin slightly notched; spines on opercule (Family Percichthyidae) ............................................................................... 3
3. First dorsal fin with 8-10 spines; scales extending onto head; no teeth on tongue (Morone americana, White Perch)
3. Tongue with teeth in patches ................................................................................................... 4
4. Teeth in small patch on back of tongue; second anal spine smaller than the third; 11-13 anal rays; lower jaw very protruded (Morone chrysops, White Bass)
4. Teeth on tongue in two parallel patches; 6-9 dark uninterrupted stripes on body; lower jaw slightly protruding (Morone saxatilis, Striped Bass)