The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a species of fish in the
sunfish family. It is marked by a series of dark, blotches forming a jagged horizontal stripe along each side. The
largemouth is the largest of the black basses, with a recorded overall length of (38 in/97 cm), and a weight of
25 pounds (11 kg). The fish can live for over 20 years.
The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a species of salmonid
native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America as well as much of the central,
western, eastern, and especially the northern portions of the United States. The ocean going form is
known as steelhead, or ocean trout.
The sauger (Sander canadensis) is a freshwater Perciform fish of the family
Percidae which resembles its close relative the walleye. Saugers, however, are usually smaller and will tolerate
waters of higher turbidity than will the walleye. In many parts of their range, saugers are sympatric with
walleyes. They may be distinguished from walleyes by the distinctly spotted dorsal fin, by the lack of a white
splotch on the caudal fin, by the rough skin over their gill, and by their generally more brassy color, or darker
(almost black) color in some regions. The average sauger in an angler's creel is 300 to 400 g (0.75 to 1 lbs) in
weight but the world record was 8.1 kg (17 lbs, 12 ounces.) Saugers are more typical of rivers whereas
walleyes are more common in lakes and reservoirs. The sauger is highly prized as a food fish.
The walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus) or yellow pickerel is a freshwater
Perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative
of the European pikeperch. The walleye is sometimes also called the yellow walleye to distinguish it from the
blue walleye. In some parts of its range, the walleye is also known as the colored pike, yellow pike or pickerel,
although the fish is related neither to the pikes nor to the pickerels, both of which are members of the family
Esocidae. Genetically, walleyes show a fair amount of variation across watersheds. In general, fish within a
watershed are quite similar and are genetically distinct from those of nearby watersheds. The species has been
artificially propagated for over a century and has been planted on top of existing populations or introduced into
waters naturally devoid of the species, sometimes reducing the overall genetic distinctiveness of populations.
The white bass (Morone chrysops) or sand bass is a freshwater fish of the
temperate bass family Moronidae. They are unrelated to the black basses, which are members of the sunfish
family. White bass are found in lakes and some large rivers throughout the United States. The species is
somewhat similar in appearance to the white perch, though larger. Its back is dark, with white sides and belly,
and with narrow darkish stripes running lengthwise on the sides. The average fish ranges from 10 to 16 inches
in length, and usually weighs from 1 to 4 pounds, though larger ones are sometimes taken. The world record is
6 lbs. 13 ounces. Conventional panfish tackle or fly fishing tackle is used in angling the white bass. The fish
tend to move in schools and prefer to swim in clear water. A closely related fish, though much less common, is
the yellow bass which is found predominantly in the Mississippi River.
The northern pike (Esox lucius), is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus
Esox (the pikes). E. lucius is found throughout the northern hemisphere, including Russia, Europe and North
America. It is even found in brackish water of the Baltic Sea. Within North America, there are northern pike
populations in Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, eastern New York, Idaho,
northern New England, most of Canada (though pike are rare in British Columbia), Alaska, the Ohio Valley,
the upper Mississippi River and its tributaries, the Great Lakes Basin and surrounding states, Missouri, Kansas,
and Nebraska. They are typical of brackish and freshwaters of the northern hemisphere. Northern pike are most
often olive, shading into yellow to white along the belly. The flank is marked with short, light bar-like spots
and there are a few too many dark spots on the fins. The lower half of the gill cover lacks scales and they have
large sensory pores on their head and on the underside of the lower jaw which are part of the lateral line
system. Unlike the similar-looking and closely related muskellunge, the northern pike has light markings on a
dark body background and fewer than six sensory pores on the underside of each side of the lower jaw.
The Coho salmon, (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a species of anadromous fish in
the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". During their ocean phase, Coho
have silver sides and dark blue backs. During their spawning phase, the jaws and teeth of the Coho become
hooked, and they develop bright red sides, bluish green heads and backs, dark bellies with dark spots on their
back. Sexually maturing Coho develop light pink or rose shading along the belly and the males may show a
slight arching of the back. Mature Coho salmon have a pronounced red skin color with darker backs and
average 28 inches in length and seven to 11 pounds in weight, although Coho weighing up to 36 pounds have
been reported. Mature females may be darker than males, with both showing a pronounced hook on the nose.
Atlantic salmon, (Salmo salar) is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae,
which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the Atlantic and the Pacific. Most
Atlantic salmon follow an anadromous fish migration pattern, in that they undergo their greatest feeding and
growth in salt water, but adults return to spawn in native freshwater streams where the eggs hatch and juveniles
grow through several distinct stages. Atlantic salmon do not require salt water, however, and numerous
examples of fully freshwater ("landlocked") populations of the species exist throughout the Northern
Hemisphere. In North America, the landlocked strains are frequently known as ouananiche.
Arctic char or Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is both a freshwater and
saltwater fish in the Salmonidae family, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic and alpine lakes and coastal waters. No
other freshwater fish is found as far north. It is the only species of fish in Lake Hazen, on Ellesmere Island in
the Canadian Arctic. It is one of the rarest fish species in Britain, found only in deep, cold, glacial lakes, mostly
in Scotland and is at risk from acidification. In other parts of its range, such as Scandinavia, it is much more
common, and is fished extensively. The Arctic char is closely related to both salmon and trout and has many
characteristics of both. Individual char fish can weigh 20 lb (9 kilograms) or more with record sized fish having
been taken by angling in Northern Canada. Generally, whole market sized fish are between 2 and 5 lb in weight
(900 g and 2.3 kilograms). The flesh color of char varies; it can range from a bright red to a pale pink.
The grayling (Thymallus thymallus) is a species of freshwater fish in the
salmon family (family Salmonidae) of order Salmoniformes. It is the type species of its genus. Native to the
Palearctic ecozone, the grayling is widespread throughout northern Europe, from the United Kingdom and
France to the Ural Mountains in Russia. The grayling grows to a maximum recorded length of 60 cm (24 in)
and a maximum recorded weight of 6.7 kg (15 lb). Of typical Thymallus appearance, the grayling proper is
distinguished from the similar Arctic grayling (T. arcticus arcticus) by the presence of 5–8 dorsal and 3–4 anal
spines, which are absent in the other species; T. thymallus also has a smaller number of soft rays in these fins.
Individuals of the species have been recorded as reaching an age of 14 years.
The Dolly Varden trout, (Salvelinus malma malma), is a subspecies of
anadromous fish in the salmon family, and is technically a char. Although many of the fish are anadromous, the
fish also exists in landlocked waterways in the northwest United States. The back and sides are olive green or
muddy gray, shading to white on the belly. The body has scattered pale yellow or pinkish-yellow spots. There
are no black spots or wavy lines on the body or fins. Small red spots are present on the lower sides. These are
frequently indistinct. The fins are plain and unmarked except for a few light spots on the base of the caudal fin
rays.
The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a species of salmonid native to
tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America as well as much of the central, western, eastern, and
especially the northern portions of the United States. The ocean going (anadromous) form (including those
returning for spawning) is known as steelhead, or ocean trout (Australia). The species has been introduced for
food or sport to at least 45 countries, and every continent except Antarctica.. In some of these locations, such as
Southern Europe, Australia and South America, they have had very serious negative impacts on upland native
fish species, either by eating them, outcompeting them, transmitting contagious diseases, or hybridization with
closely related species and subspecies that are native to western North America. More recently, DNA studies
showed rainbow trout are genetically closer to Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus species) than to brown trout
(Salmo trutta) or Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), so the genus was changed.
The brook trout, (Salvelinus fontinalis), (sometimes called the eastern brook
trout) is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known
as the speckled trout. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as
coasters. Though commonly called a trout, the brook trout is actually a char, along with lake trout, bull trout,
Dolly Varden and the Arctic char. The brook trout is native to small streams, creeks, lakes, and spring ponds.
Some brook trout are anadromous. It is native to a wide area of eastern North America but increasingly
confined to higher elevations southward in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia, Canada from the
Hudson Bay basin east, the Great Lakes–Saint Lawrence system, and the upper Mississippi River drainage as
far west as eastern Iowa.
The brown trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario and S. trutta morpha lacustris)
and the sea trout (S. trutta morpha trutta) are fish of the same species. They are distinguished chiefly by the fact
that the brown trout is largely a freshwater fish, while the sea trout shows anadromous reproduction, migrating
to the oceans for much of its life and returning to freshwater only to spawn. The brown trout is a medium sized
fish, growing to 20 kg or more in some localities although in many smaller rivers a mature weight of 1 kg (2 lb)
or less is common.
The bonefish is the type species of the Albulidae, or bonefishes. It is
amphidromous, living in inshore tropical waters, moving onto shallow tidal flats to feed with the incoming tide,
and retreating to deeper water as the tide ebbs. Juvenile bonefish may be observed in large shoals of like-sized
individuals with large mature fish swimming in smaller groups or in pairs. Bonefish are considered to be
among the world's premier game fish and are highly sought after by anglers. Bonefish are primarily caught for
sport. They are not commonly eaten.
Carp is a common name for various freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae,
a very large group of fish originally from Eurasia and Southeast Asia. Some consider all cyprinid carp and the
family Cyprinidae itself is often known as the carp family. Carp have long been an important food fish to
humans, as well as popular ornamental fishes (see koi and goldfish). As a result, carp have been introduced to
various locations, though with mixed results
The barracuda (Sphyraena) is a ray-finned fish known for its large size (up to
6 ft in length and up to a foot in width, for some species) and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly
compressed, and covered with small, smooth scales. It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. It
is of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae. Barracudas are elongated fish with
powerful jaws. The lower jaw of the large mouth juts out beyond the upper. Barracudas possess strong, fanglike teeth. These are unequal in size and set in sockets in the jaws on the roof of the mouth. The head is quite
large, pointed, and it is pike-like in appearance.. The gill-covers do not have spines and are covered with small
scales. The two dorsal fins are widely separated, with the first having five spines and the second having one
spine and nine soft rays. The second dorsal fin equals the anal fin in size and is situated more or less above it.
The lateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spinous dorsal fin is placed above the
pelvics. The hind end of the caudal fin is forked or concave. It is set at the end of a stout peduncle. The pectoral
fins are placed low down on the sides. The barracuda swim bladder is large.
Bowfins are an order (Amiiformes) of primitive ray-finned fish. Only one
species, the bowfin Amia calva, family Amiidae, exists today, although additional species in six families are
known from Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Eocene fossils. These included the huge Leedsichthys, probably the
biggest fish that ever existed. The bowfin and the gar are two of the freshwater fishes still extant that existed,
almost unchanged from their current form, while the great dinosaurs roamed the earth. The most distinctive
characteristic of the bowfin is its very long dorsal fin consisting of 145 to 250 rays, and running from mid-back
to the base of the tail. The caudal fin is a single lobe, though heterocercal. They can grow up to 1 meter in
length, and weigh 7 kg. Other noticeable features are the black "eye spot" usually found high on the caudal
peduncle, and the presence of a gular plate. The gular plate is a bony plate located on the exterior of the lower
jaw, between the two sides of the lower jaw bone. Bowfins are not considered a good food fish compared to
more popular freshwater gamefish species. They are generally considered "trash" fish by sportsmen, and are
scorned for their voracious appetite for more desirable species. They will occasionally strike - and sometimes
ruin with their powerful jaws - artificial lures, but they generally strike on live or cut fishes. They also naturally
consume copious numbers of live crayfishes in many rivers. When hooked, Bowfin battle powerfully, offering
a tremendous fight to the angler. Bowfin should be handled carefully. They are an ill-tempered, pugnacious
fish, and consider themselves a match for anything - including a human being. Once in the boat, they will make
every attempt they can at biting the fisherman - and they have a mouthful of very sharp teeth.
The sunfishes are a family (Centrarchidae) of freshwater ray-finned fish
belonging to the order Perciform. The type genus is Centrarchus (consisting solely of the flier, C. macropterus..
The family's 27 species includes many fishes familiar to North Americans, including the black basses, rock
bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappies. All are native only to North America. Family members are
distinguished by having at least three anal spines. The dorsal spines are 5–13 in number, but most species have
10–12. The pseudobranch is small and concealed. Sizes of most are in the 20–30 cm (8–12 in) range, but with
the largemouth bass reported to reach almost one meter (just over three feet) in extreme cases. The male of
most species builds a nest by hollowing out a depression using his tail, and then guards the eggs. Most
sunfishes are valued for sports fishing, and have been introduced in many areas outside their original ranges,
sometimes becoming pests.
Channel catfish, (Ictalurus punctatus), are North America's most numerous
catfish species. They are also the most fished types of catfish, with approximately 8 million anglers in the USA
targeting them per year. A member of the Ictalurus genus of American catfishes, channel catfish have a top-end
size of approximately 40-50 pounds (18-23 kg). The world record channel catfish weighed 58 pounds and was
caught in 1964 in the Lake Marion, South Carolina. Realistically, a channel catfish over 20 pounds (9 kg) is a
spectacular specimen, and most catfish anglers view a 10 pound (4.5 kg) fish as a very admirable catch.
Furthermore the average size channel catfish an angler could expect to find in most waterways would be
between 2 and 4 pounds. Channel catfish flesh is prized by many anglers and the popularity of channel catfish
for food has allowed the rapid growth of aquaculture of this species throughout the United States.
The chum salmon, (Oncorhynchus keta), is a species of anadromous fish in
the salmon family. It is a Pacific salmon, may also be known as dog salmon or Keta salmon, and is often
marketed under the name Silverbrite salmon. They have an ocean coloration of silvery blue green. When adults
are near spawning, they have purple blotchy streaks near the caudal fin. Unlike other salmon, Chum have no
spots. Spawning males typically grow an elongated snout and have enlarged teeth. Some researchers speculate
these characteristics are used to compete for mates.
The Chinook salmon, (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), is a species of
anadromous fish in the salmon family. It is a Pacific Ocean salmon and is variously known as the king salmon,
Columbia River salmon, black salmon, chub salmon, hook bill salmon, winter salmon. Chinook Salmon are
typically divided into "races" with "spring chinook", "summer chinook", and "fall chinook" being most
common. Races are determined by the timing of adult entry into fresh water. A "winter chinook" run is
recognized in the Sacramento River. The Chinook salmon is blue-green on the back and top of the head with
silvery sides and white ventral surfaces. It has black spots on its tail and the upper half of its body; its mouth is
dark gray. Adult fish average 33 to 36 inches (840 to 910 mm), but may be up to 58 inches (1.47 meters) in
length; they average 10 to 50 pounds (4.54 to 22.7 kg), but may reach 130 pounds (59 kg). The current sport
caught World Record is 97 pounds 4 ounces (44.1 kg) and was caught in May 1985 by Les Anderson in the
Kenai River (Kenai, Alaska). The commercial catch world record is 126 pounds (57 kg) caught near
Petersburg, Alaska in a fish trap in 1949.
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is also known as black kingfish. Attaining a
maximum length of 2 meters (78 inches) and maximum weight of 68 kilograms (150 pounds), Cobia have
elongate fusiform (spindle shaped) bodies and broad, flattened heads. Their eyes are small and their lower jaw
projects slightly past the upper jaw. On the jaws, tongue and roof of the mouth are bands of fibrous teeth. Their
bodies are smooth with small scales, their dark brown coloration grading to white on the belly with two darker
brown horizontal bands on the flanks. These may not be prominent except during spawning when Cobia lighten
in color and adopt a more prominently striped pattern. The large pelvic fins are normally carried horizontally
(rather than vertically as shown for convenience in the illustration), so that, as seen in the water they may be
mistaken for a small shark. When boated, the horizontal pelvic fins enable the Cobia to remain upright so that
their vigorous thrashing can make them a hazard. The first dorsal fin is composed of six to nine ,independent,
short, stout, and sharp spines.
The cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) is a species of freshwater fish in the
salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is one of the many fish species colloquially known as trout. Cutthroat
trout are native to western North America. Some (anadromous) populations live primarily in the Pacific Ocean
as adults and return to fresh water from fall through early spring, to feed on freshwater insects and to spawn.
Most populations, however, stay in fresh water throughout their lives and are known as non-migratory, streamresident or river populations. Anadromous fish may reach weights of 20 pounds (9 kg) but those fish which
remain in fresh water may only reach a weight of 2 pounds (1 kg). At least three subspecies are confined to
isolated basins in the Great Basin and can tolerate saline or alkaline water. All subspecies of cutthroat trout are
sought after gamefish, especially among anglers who enjoy fly fishing.. Cutthroat will readily interbreed with
the closely related rainbow trout, producing fertile hybrids. Cutthroat trout vary widely in size, coloration, and
habitats. Though their coloration can range from golden to gray to green on the back, depending on subspecies
and habitat, all populations feature distinctive red, pink, or orange marks on the underside of the lower jaw;
usually the easiest diagnostic of the species for the casual observer. As adults, different populations and
subspecies of cutthroat can range from 6–40 inches (3–100 cm) in length making size an ineffective indicator
as to species.
The flathead catfish, (Pylodictis olivaris), also called the yellow cat,
Opelousas, mud cat and shovelhead cat, are large North American freshwater catfish. Ranging from the lower
Great Lakes region to northern Mexico, they have been widely introduced and are an invasive species in some
areas. Their native range includes a broad area west of the Appalachian Mountains encompassing large rivers
of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio basins. The range extends as far north as North Dakota, as far west as
Arizona and south to the Gulf of Mexico including northeastern Mexico. Flathead catfish are most closely
related to the Satan genus of fish. They grow to a length of 155 cm (61 in) and may weigh up to 56 kg (123
lbs). Their maximum recorded lifespan is 20 years. Males are mature from 16 cm and 4 years of age while
females mature from 18 cm and 5 years of age, but may mature as late as 10 years. The world angling record
flathead catfish was caught May 14, 1998 from Elk City Reservoir, Kansas and weighed 123 lb 9 oz (56.05 kg).
Inhabiting deep pools, lakes, and large slow-moving rivers, flathead catfish are popular among anglers; their
flesh is widely regarded as the tastiest of the catfishes. Their size also makes the flatheads effective subjects of
public aquaria. Like most catfish, flatheads are benthic feeders and prefer live prey. They are voracious
carnivores and feed primarily on other fish, insects, annelid worms and crustaceans. Sport fishing for flathead
catfish using either rod and reel or bare hands (noodling) can be an exciting pastime. Anglers target this species
in a variety of waterways including small rivers (barely large enough for a canoe), large rivers (such as the
Missouri and Mississippi Rivers), and reservoirs. A common element of flathead catfish location is submerged
wood cover such as logs and root wads which often collect at bends in rivers. A good flathead spot usually also
includes relatively deep water compared to the rest of a particular section of river, a moderate amount of
current, and access to plentiful baitfish such as river herring, shad, carp, drum, panfish, or suckers.
Pink salmon or humpback salmon, (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha),) is a species of
anadromous fish in the salmon family. It is the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon. In the ocean,
pink salmon are bright silver fish. After returning to their spawning stream, their coloring changes to pale grey
on the butt with yellowish white belly (although some turn an overall dull green color). As with all salmon, in
addition to the dorsal fin they also have an adipose fin. The fish is characterized by a white mouth with black
gums, no teeth on the tongue, large oval-shaped black spots on the back and v-shaped tail, and an anal fin with
13-17 soft rays. During their spawning migration, males develop a pronounced humped back, hence their
nickname "humpies". Pink salmon average 4.8 pounds (2.2 kg) in weight. The maximum recorded size was
30 inches (76 cm) and 15 pounds (6.8 kg).
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), also called red salmon or blue-black
salmon, is an anadromous species of salmon found in the Pacific Ocean. The same species when it occurs in
landlocked bodies of water is called the Kokanee. It is the third most common species of Pacific salmon, after
Pink and Chum salmon. The name "sockeye" is thought to have been a corruption of the various indigenous
tribes' word "sukkai." A sockeye can be as long as 840 millimeters (33 in) and weigh 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms (6 to
8 lb). It has an elongated, torpedo shaped body, with an adipose fin, and a bluntly pointed snout. The gill rakers
located just behind the head are long and closely spaced. Its coloration changes as it migrates from saltwater to
freshwater in preparation for spawning. In freshwater, its color is bright red with a pale green head; females
may have green and yellow marks or stains. Its color in saltwater is bluish-green on top, silvery on the bottom,
with uniform, shiny skin.
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes
in northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw. Lake trout are prized both as game fish and
as food fish. Lake trout are the largest of the chars, the record weighing almost 46.3 kg (102 lb). They were
fished commercially in the Great Lakes until lampreys, overharvest and pollution extirpated or severely
reduced the stocks. Commercial fisheries still exist in some smaller lakes in northern Canada. Lake trout are
dependent on cold, oxygen-rich waters. They are pelagic during the period of summer stratification in dimictic
lakes, often living at depths of 20–60 m (60–200 ft). The lake trout is a slowly growing fish, typical of
oligotrophic waters. It is also very late to mature. Populations are extremely susceptible to overexploitation.
Many native lake trout populations have been severely damaged through the combined effects of hatchery
stocking (planting) and overharvest.
Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of fish,
mostly, but not exclusively, from the family Scombridae. They occur in all tropical and temperate seas. Most
live offshore in the oceanic environment but a few, like the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus),
enter bays and can be caught near bridges and piers. The largest species called "mackerel" is the king mackerel
(Scomberomorus cavalla) which can grow to 66 inches (1.68 m). Common features of mackerels are a slim,
cylindrical shape (as opposed to the tunas which are deeper bodied) and numerous finlets on the dorsal and
ventral sides behind the dorsal and anal fins. The scales are extremely small, if present. A female mackerel lays
about 500,000 eggs at a time. Shearwater, tuna, dolphins, whales, orca, seagulls, marlins, sharks, and humans
may hunt mackerels. Mackerels are prized (and are highly harvested) for their meat, which is often very oily.
They are known for their fighting ability, and are an important recreational and commercial fishery. The meat
can spoil quickly, especially in the tropics, causing scombroid food poisoning - it must be eaten on the day of
capture, unless cured. For this reason, mackerel is the only common salt-cured sushi. This fish is highly valued
by fisheries. Mackerel fishery is well established in India, the species caught is usually Rastrelliger kanagurta.
The muskellunge, (Esox masquinongy), is also known as the muskie, musky
or maskinonge. They are large, relatively uncommon freshwater fish of North America. Muskellunge are the
largest member of the pike family, Esocidae. The name comes from the Ojibwe word maashkinoozhe, meaning
"ugly pike", by way of French masque allongé (modified from the Ojibwe word by folk etymology),"elongated
mask." The French common name is masquinongé or maskinongé. Muskellunge are known by a wide variety
of trivial names including Ohio muskellunge, Great Lakes muskellunge, barred muskellunge, Ohio River pike,
Allegheny River pike, jack pike, unspotted muskellunge and the Wisconsin muskellunge.
Perca (Perca flavescens, yellow perch) is the genus of fish referred to as perch
or, sometimes, yellow perch, a group of freshwater fish belonging to the family Percidae. Perch, of which there
are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciform,
from the Greek perke meaning perch, and the Latin forma meaning shape. Perch have "rough" or ctenoid
scales. On the anterior side of the head are the maxilla and lower mandible for the mouth, a pair of nostrils, and
two lidless eyes. On the posterior sides are the opercula, which are used to protect the gills. Also there is the
lateral line system which is sensitive to vibrations in the water. They have a pair of pectoral and pelvic fins. On
the anterior end of the fish, there are two dorsal fins. The first one is spiny and the second is soft. There is also
an anal fin, which is also considered spiny, and a caudal fin
The rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris, Ambloplites Ariommus, Ambloplites
Constellatus), also known as the rock perch or goggle-eye, is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family
(Centrarchidae) of order Perciform. They are similar in appearance to smallmouth bass but are usually quite a
bit smaller. The average rock bass is between 6-10 inches, and they are rarely over a pound. Rock bass are
native to the St Lawrence River and Great Lakes system, the upper and middle Mississippi River basin in North
America from Québec to Saskatchewan in the north down to Missouri and Arkansas, and throughout the
eastern U.S. from New York through Kentucky and Tennessee to the northern portions of Alabama and
Georgia in the south. While fairly good eating cooked fresh, Rock Bass are generally not regarded by most
anglers as a food fish of the quality of bluegill or perch. Fishing with live bait such as night crawlers is the most
effective to catch rock bass, although they are often caught with lures while fishing for bass.
The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) is a species of freshwater fish
in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciform. It is the type species of its genus. One of the black
basses, it is a popular gamefish sought by anglers throughout the temperate zones of North America, and has
been spread by stock to many cool-water rivers and lakes in the United States and Canada. The smallmouth
bass is native to the upper and middle Mississippi River basin, the Saint Lawrence River–Great Lakes system,
and up into the Hudson Bay basin. Its common names include Smallmouth, Bronzeback, Brown Bass, Brownie,
Smallie, and Bronze Bass. The smallmouth bass is generally brown with dark vertical bands rather than a
horizontal band along the side. There are 13-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. The upper jaw of smallmouth bass
does not extend beyond the back of the eye.
The Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a species of marine fish in
the family Centropomidae of the order Perciform. This species is native to the coastal waters of the western
Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, from southern Florida and Texas[1] to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. One of the
largest snooks, C. undecimalis grows to a maximum overall length of 140 cm (4 ft 7 in) and a maximum
recorded weight of 24 kg (54 lb). Of typical centropomid form, it possesses unremarkable coloration except for
a distinctive black lateral line. It may also possess bright yellow pelvic and caudal fins especially during spawn.
Occurring in shallow coastal waters (up to 20 m [66 ft] depth), estuaries, and lagoons, the fish often enters fresh
water. It is carnivorous, with a diet dominated by smaller fishes, and crustaceans such as shrimps, and
occasionally crabs. Considered an excellent food fish, the common snook is fished commercially and raised in
aquaculture although it is not available for sale in the US. It is also prized as a game fish.
The weakfish, (Cynoscion regalis), is a marine fish of the drum family
Sciaenidae. The head and back of this fish is dark brown in color with a greenish tinge. The sides have a faint
silvery hue with dusky specks, and the belly is white. The origin of its name is based on the weakness of the
mouth muscles, which often cause a hook to tear free, allowing the fish to escape. The weakfish grows to 1 m
(3 feet) in length and 8.7 kg (19 pounds 2 ounces) in weight. It is found along the eastern coast of North
America from Nova Scotia, Canada to northern Florida, where it is fished both commercially and
recreationally. In the Mid-Atlantic States, the fish is sometimes referred to by the name Sea Trout, though it is
not related to the fishes properly called Trout, which are in the family Salmonidae.
The ocean going (anadromous) forms (including those returning for
spawning) are known as steelhead, or ocean trout. The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a species of
salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America as well as much of the central,
western, eastern, and especially the northern portions of the United States. The species has been introduced for
food or sport to at least 45 countries, and every continent except Antarctica. In some of these locations, such as
Southern Europe, Australia and South America, they have had very serious negative impacts on upland native
fish species, either by eating them, outcompeting them, transmitting contagious diseases, or hybridization with
closely related species and subspecies that are native to western North America.
The striped bass (Morone saxatilis, also called rock or rockfish) is the state
fish of Maryland, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and the state Saltwater (marine) fish of New York. The striped
bass is a typical member of the Moronidae family in shape, having a streamlined, silvery body marked with
longitudinal dark stripes running from behind the gills to the base of the tail. Maximum size is 200 cm (6.6 ft)
and maximum scientifically recorded weight 57 kg (125 US pounds). Striped bass are believed to live for up to
30 years. Striped bass are found along the Atlantic coastline of North America from the St. Lawrence River
into the Gulf of Mexico to approximately Louisiana. They are anadromous fish that migrate between fresh and
salt water. Spawning takes place in freshwater.
The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a large coastal fish prized by anglers.
They grow up to 8 feet in length and sometimes weigh 200 pounds. When swimming in oxygen-poor water,
tarpons can breathe air from the surface. There are two species in a single genus Megalops in the family
Megalopidae, one native to the Atlantic, and the other to the Indo-Pacific oceans. The genus name derives from
the Greek adjective megalo meaning 'large', and the noun opsi, meaning 'face'. Tarpon are superb sport, with a
long-lasting, powerful fight generally including several leaps. While edible, they are seldom eaten, as their
flesh is considered too oily to be palatable.
Tiger Muskellunge are a sterile hybrid cross between a Northern Pike (Esox
lucius) and a Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), with intermediate characteristics between the two parents. It
has a very elongated torpedo-like body. Its most notable feature is the grey-green vertical bars along its sides. It
thrives where there are good numbers of perch and sunfish for food. It can be expected to grow to 50-plus
inches long and weigh over 30 pounds. Tiger muskies are quickly becoming one of the most popular fish in
Utah. Not too many years ago, anybody had even heard of a tiger musky.
The chain pickerel, Esox niger (Esox reticulatus), is a species of freshwater
fish in the pike family (family Esocidae) of order Esociformes. It is also known as the federation pike or
federation pickerel. Its range is along the eastern coast of North America from southern Canada to Florida, and
west to Texas. The chain pickerel has a distinctive chainlike pattern on its sides and its body resembles that of
the northern pike. It reaches 24 inches in length with a weight of 3-5 pounds, although the average size for
chain pickerel is 20" and 3 pounds. The U.S. record is over nine pounds. The chain pickerel feeds primarily on
smaller fish which it ambushes from cover with rapid lunges and secures with its sharp teeth. It is a popular
sport fish. It is an energetic fighter on the line. Anglers after pickerel have success with live minnows, spinner
baits, spoon lures, and other lures. Practically every bass lure can be effective for pickerel, although they seem
to be particularly susceptible to flashy lures, which imitate small prey fish. Dragging a plastic worm, lizard,
frog, and other soft plastics can also be extremely effective. In ponds and smaller lakes however, some anglers
see pickerel as a threat to trout populations and trout restocking efforts. It is sometimes considered an easy-tobag "trash fish", and not particularly tasty. A commonly used nickname in the southeast for this fish is the
Southern Pike. This fish is edible, but there is a special way to clean them to get the meat with no bone. You
must first clean them as any other fish, then carefully cut the backbone out. Then you fillet them in three to four
inch segments. You then carefully cut small, preferably 1 cm, incisions on the meat part of the fish up the flesh
and sideways. Then deep-fry the fillets until brown. This should eliminate all bones.
The blue catfish, (Ictalurus furcatus), is one of the largest species of North
American catfish. Blue catfish are distributed primarily in the Mississippi River drainage including the
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Arkansas rivers. The current angling world record is 124 pounds and was
caught by Tim Pruitt on May 22, 2005, in the Mississippi River. Blue catfish are opportunistic predators and
will eat any species of fish they can catch, along with crayfish, freshwater mussels, frogs, and other readily
available aquatic food sources (some blue catfish have reportedly attacked scuba divers.) Catching their prey
becomes all the more easy if it is already wounded or dead, and blue cats are noted for feeding beneath
marauding schools of striped bass in open water in reservoirs or feeding on wounded baitfish that have been
washed through dam spillways or power generation turbines.
The redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), also known as the shellcracker,
Georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, and sun perch, is native to the southeastern United
States, but since it is a popular sport fish it has been introduced to bodies of water all over North America. It
generally resembles the bluegill except for coloration and somewhat larger size. It is dark-colored dorsally and
yellow-green ventrally. The male has a cherry-red edge on its operculum; females have orange coloration in
this area. The adult fish is between 20 and 24 cm in length. Max length is 43.2 cm. compared to a maximum of
about 40 cm for the bluegill.
Crappie (Pomoxis) is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (family
Centrarchidae) of order Perciform. The type species is P. annular, the white crappie. The common name
crappie refers to either of the Pomoxis species, both of which are extremely popular game fish. Both species of
crappie as adults feed predominantly on smaller species, including the young of their own predators (which
include the northern pike, muskellunge, and walleye). They have diverse diets, however, including
zooplankton, insects, and crustaceans. By day, crappie tend to be less active and to concentrate around weed
beds or submerged objects, such as logs and boulders; they feed especially at dawn and dusk, moving then into
open water or approaching the shore. The Pomoxis species are highly regarded game fishes and are often
considered to be among the best tasting freshwater fish. Because of their diverse diets, crappie may be caught
in many ways, including casting light jigs, trolling with minnows or artificial lures, using small spinner baits, or
using bobbers. Crappies are also popular with ice-fishers, as they are active in winter.
The Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Channel Bass, Redfish,
Puppy Drum or just Red, is a game fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and
in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops. Red
Drum usually occurs along coastal waters. Three year old red drum typically weighs six to eight pounds. The
largest one on record weighed just over 94 pounds. When they are large they are called Bull reds and most
people do not find the large ones good to eat. Mature red drum spawns in near shorelines. Juvenile red drum
typically inhabits bays and coastal marshes until they reach maturity between 3 and 6 years of age. They will
readily accept any bait but prefer Menhaden, Shrimp, Mud Minnows and crabs. Red Drum are relatives of the
Black Drum and both make a croaking sound when in trouble.
Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) are the land-locked form of sockeye salmon.
Because they never migrate out to the ocean to feed, kokanee are often much smaller than sockeye. However,
other than their size, kokanee have very similar identifying characteristics as sockeye. Most kokanee live in a
lake for most of their lives, so you can usually see them spawning near the edge of a lake or in a small tributary
that feeds into a lake. There are kokanee populations in Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Issaquah Creek,
and other the other small creeks that feed into these water bodies. If you see a fish, here's some tips to use to
determine whether or not it's a kokanee.