Freshwater Fish Species
Freshwater fish inhabit the lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds that stretch across North America. From the bass-heavy reservoirs of the South to the cold trout streams of the Rockies, freshwater fishing draws more anglers than any other discipline. Species in this category range from fast-growing panfish to trophy largemouth that can top 20 pounds. Knowing the habitat preferences, seasonal patterns, and feeding habits of each species is the difference between a slow afternoon and a memorable day on the water.
191 species in this category
African Catfish
African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Found in African Rivers, Dams. Average len…
Alabama Bass
Alabama Bass (Micropterus henshalli). Found in Alabama River System. Average len…
Alligator Gar
Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula). Found in Large Southern Rivers. Average le…
Altamaha Bass
Altamaha Bass (Micropterus sp. Altamaha). Found in Altamaha River Drainage GA. A…
American Eel
American Eel (Anguilla rostrata). Found in Rivers, Estuaries. Average length 24 …
American Shad
American Shad (Alosa sapidissima). Found in Atlantic Rivers (spawning). Average …
Apache Trout
Apache Trout (Oncorhynchus apache). Found in White Mountains Streams AZ. Average…
Arctic Char
Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus). Found in Cold Arctic Lakes. Average length 20 …
Asp
Asp (Leuciscus aspius). Found in Large European Rivers. Average length 24 in, we…
Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). Found in Atlantic Rivers. Average length 30 in, w…
Australian Bass
Australian Bass (Macquaria novemaculeata). Found in Coastal Rivers SE Australia.…
Barbel
Barbel (Barbus barbus). Found in Fast Flowing Rivers. Average length 24 in, weig…
Barramundi
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Found in Tropical Rivers, Estuaries Australia. Av…
Bighead Carp
Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). Found in Large Rivers (invasive). Ave…
Bigmouth Buffalo
Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus). Found in Large Rivers. Average length 2…
Black Bullhead
Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas). Found in Turbid Ponds, Ditches. Average length …
Black Crappie
Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). Found in Clear Lakes, Reservoirs. Averag…
Blacknose Dace
Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus). Found in Small Clear Streams. Average le…
Bleak
Bleak (Alburnus alburnus). Found in Slow Rivers, Lakes. Average length 6 in, wei…
Blue Catfish
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus). Found in Large Rivers, Reservoirs. Average le…
Bluegill
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). Found in Ponds, Lakes, Slow Streams. Average len…
Bluegill (Ice)
Bluegill (Ice) (Lepomis macrochirus). Found in Ponds, Shallow Lakes (Ice). Avera…
Bluegill (Introduced Africa)
Bluegill (Introduced Africa) (Lepomis macrochirus). Found in South African Dams.…
Bowfin
Bowfin (Amia calva). Found in Weedy Lakes, Swamps. Average length 24 in, weight …
Brook Silverside
Brook Silverside (Labidesthes sicculus). Found in Clear Warm Lakes. Average leng…
Brook Trout
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Found in Cold Headwater Streams. Average le…
Brown Bullhead
Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus). Found in Lakes, Ponds. Average length 12 in…
Brown Trout
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta). Found in Clear Streams, Lakes. Average length 18 in,…
Brown Trout (Great Lakes)
Brown Trout (Great Lakes) (Salmo trutta). Found in Great Lakes Nearshore. Averag…
Buffalo Carp
Buffalo Carp (Ictiobus cyprinellus). Found in Lowland Rivers, Lakes. Average len…
Bull Trout
Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Found in Cold Mountain Rivers. Average leng…
Burbot
Burbot (Lota lota). Found in Cold Deep Lakes, Rivers. Average length 18 in, weig…
Burbot (Great Lakes)
Burbot (Great Lakes) (Lota lota). Found in Great Lakes Deep Water. Average lengt…
Carp (European in Africa)
Carp (European in Africa) (Cyprinus carpio). Found in South African Dams. Averag…
Chain Pickerel
Chain Pickerel (Esox niger). Found in Weedy Lakes, Rivers. Average length 18 in,…
Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Found in Rivers, Reservoirs. Average leng…
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Found in Pacific Rivers, Great Lakes.…
Chinook Salmon (Great Lakes)
Chinook Salmon (Great Lakes) (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Found in Great Lakes Op…
Choctaw Bass
Choctaw Bass (Micropterus haiaka). Found in Gulf Coastal Streams FL/AL. Average …
Chub
Chub (Squalius cephalus). Found in Rivers, Streams. Average length 16 in, weight…
Chum Salmon
Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Found in Pacific Rivers. Average length 26 in, …
Cisco
Cisco (Coregonus artedi). Found in Cold Clear Lakes. Average length 14 in, weigh…
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Found in Coastal Rivers, Great Lakes. Averag…
Coho Salmon (Great Lakes)
Coho Salmon (Great Lakes) (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Found in Great Lakes Open Wate…
Common Bream
Common Bream (Abramis brama). Found in Slow Rivers, Lakes Europe. Average length…
Common Carp
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Found in Lakes, Rivers, Ponds. Average length 24 …
Crappie (Ice)
Crappie (Ice) (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). Found in Lakes, Reservoirs (Ice Season).…
Creek Chub
Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus). Found in Small Streams Nationwide. Average…
Crucian Carp
Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius). Found in Weedy Ponds, Lakes. Average length …
Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii). Found in Mountain Streams, Alpine Lakes.…
Dace
Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus). Found in Fast Chalk Streams. Average length 10 in, w…
Dollar Sunfish
Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus). Found in Lowland Streams. Average length 5 …
Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). Found in Alaska Cold Rivers. Average length 18 …
Dourado
Dourado (Salminus hilarii). Found in Upper Parana Tributaries. Average length 24…
Eelpout (Burbot Ice)
Eelpout (Burbot Ice) (Lota lota). Found in Cold Deep Lakes (Ice Season). Average…
Fallfish
Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis). Found in Northeast Clear Rivers. Average length…
Flathead Catfish
Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris). Found in Murky Rivers. Average length 28…
Flier
Flier (Centrarchus macropterus). Found in Lowland Swamps. Average length 6 in, w…
Flier (Panfish)
Flier (Panfish) (Centrarchus macropterus). Found in Southeastern Lowland Swamps.…
Florida Gar
Florida Gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus). Found in Florida Lakes, Rivers. Average …
Fluvial Walleye
Fluvial Walleye (Sander vitreus). Found in River Run Walleye NE USA. Average len…
Freshwater Catfish (Eel-tailed)
Freshwater Catfish (Eel-tailed) (Tandanus tandanus). Found in Rivers, Billabongs…
Freshwater Drum
Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens). Found in Large Rivers, Lakes. Average l…
Gila Trout
Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae). Found in Gila River tributaries NM. Average len…
Golden Dorado
Golden Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis). Found in South American Rivers. Average l…
Golden Perch (Yellowbelly)
Golden Perch (Yellowbelly) (Macquaria ambigua). Found in Murray-Darling Rivers. …
Golden Trout
Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita). Found in High Sierra Alpine Lakes. Avera…
Goldeye
Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides). Found in Turbid Prairie Rivers. Average length 12 in…
Goliath Tigerfish
Goliath Tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath). Found in Congo River. Average length 48 …
Grass Carp
Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Found in Lakes (introduced). Average lengt…
Grass Carp (Trophy)
Grass Carp (Trophy) (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Found in Stocked Lakes, Reservoir…
Grass Pickerel
Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus). Found in Shallow Weedy Waters. Av…
Grayling
Grayling (Thymallus arcticus). Found in Clear Cold Streams Alaska. Average lengt…
Grayling (European)
Grayling (European) (Thymallus thymallus). Found in Cold Clear Rivers Europe. Av…
Green Sunfish
Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus). Found in Tolerant of Poor Water Quality. Aver…
Guadalupe Bass
Guadalupe Bass (Micropterus treculii). Found in Hill Country Streams. Average le…
Gudgeon
Gudgeon (Gobio gobio). Found in Gravel-bottomed Streams. Average length 6 in, we…
Headwater Catfish
Headwater Catfish (Ictalurus lupus). Found in Rio Grande tributaries. Average le…
Hickory Shad
Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris). Found in Atlantic Rivers. Average length 14 in, …
Highfin Carpsucker
Highfin Carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer). Found in Large Rivers. Average length 14…
Huchen (Danube Salmon)
Huchen (Danube Salmon) (Hucho hucho). Found in Alpine Rivers. Average length 40 …
Hybrid Striped Bass
Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops). Found in Stocked Reser…
Ide (Orfe)
Ide (Orfe) (Leuciscus idus). Found in Large Rivers, Lakes Europe. Average length…
Jungle Perch
Jungle Perch (Kuhlia rupestris). Found in Tropical Queensland Streams. Average l…
Kokanee
Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka). Found in Landlocked Lakes. Average length 14 in, w…
Lake Herring
Lake Herring (Coregonus artedi). Found in Great Lakes Deep Water. Average length…
Lake Sturgeon
Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Found in Great Lakes, Large Rivers. Averag…
Lake Trout
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Found in Deep Cold Lakes. Average length 24 i…
Lake Trout (Ice)
Lake Trout (Ice) (Salvelinus namaycush). Found in Cold Deep Lakes (Ice Season). …
Lake Whitefish
Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). Found in Cold Lakes. Average length 18 …
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). Found in Lakes, Ponds, Slow Rivers. Ave…
Lavaret (Powan)
Lavaret (Powan) (Coregonus lavaretus). Found in Cold Alpine Lakes. Average lengt…
Longear Sunfish
Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis). Found in Clear Streams. Average length 7 in…
Longnose Dace
Longnose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). Found in Rocky Streams Nationwide. Avera…
Longnose Gar
Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus). Found in Rivers, Backwaters. Average length 3…
Longnose Killifish
Longnose Killifish (Fundulus similis). Found in Coastal Marshes, Tidal Streams. …
Longnose Sucker
Longnose Sucker (Catostomus catostomus). Found in Cold Northern Rivers. Average …
Madtom (Brindled)
Madtom (Brindled) (Noturus miurus). Found in Riffle Areas Streams. Average lengt…
Mooneye
Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus). Found in Clear Rivers, Lakes. Average length 11 in, w…
Mottled Sculpin
Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii). Found in Rocky Cold Streams. Average length 5 …
Mountain Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni). Found in Cold Rocky Rivers. Average …
Murray Cod
Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii). Found in Murray-Darling River System. Averag…
Muskellunge
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy). Found in Clear Lakes, Large Rivers. Average leng…
Muskellunge (Great Lakes)
Muskellunge (Great Lakes) (Esox masquinongy). Found in Lake St. Clair, Bays. Ave…
Nase
Nase (Chondrostoma nasus). Found in Fast Clear Rivers Europe. Average length 18 …
Nile Perch
Nile Perch (Lates niloticus). Found in Lake Victoria, River Nile. Average length…
Northern Pike
Northern Pike (Esox lucius). Found in Weedy Lakes, Slow Rivers. Average length 3…
Northern Pike (Ice)
Northern Pike (Ice) (Esox lucius). Found in Shallow Weedy Lakes (Ice). Average l…
Orangethroat Darter
Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile). Found in Gravel Riffles. Average le…
Ozark Bass
Ozark Bass (Micropterus velox). Found in Ozark Upland Streams. Average length 12…
Pacific Lamprey
Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus). Found in Pacific Rivers. Average leng…
Pacu
Pacu (Colossoma macropomum). Found in Amazon Floodplains. Average length 24 in, …
Paddlefish
Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula). Found in Large Rivers. Average length 40 in, wei…
Payara (Vampire Fish)
Payara (Vampire Fish) (Hydrolycus scomberoides). Found in Amazon Tributaries. Av…
Peacock Bass
Peacock Bass (Cichla temensis). Found in Amazon Basin, SE USA (introduced). Aver…
Perch (European)
Perch (European) (Perca fluviatilis). Found in Lakes, Rivers, Ponds Europe. Aver…
Pike (European)
Pike (European) (Esox lucius). Found in Weedy Lakes, Slow Rivers Europe. Average…
Pink Salmon
Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Found in Pacific Rivers. Average length 22…
Pink Salmon (Great Lakes)
Pink Salmon (Great Lakes) (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Found in Northern Great Lake…
Pink Salmon (Humpy)
Pink Salmon (Humpy) (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Found in Alaska Rivers. Average le…
Pirarucu (Arapaima)
Pirarucu (Arapaima) (Arapaima gigas). Found in Amazon Floodplains. Average lengt…
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus). Found in Weedy Lakes. Average length 8 in, weigh…
Quillback
Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus). Found in Clear Rivers. Average length 14 in, wei…
Rainbow Bass (Guapote)
Rainbow Bass (Guapote) (Parachromis managuensis). Found in Central American Lake…
Rainbow Darter
Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum). Found in Rocky Riffles. Average length 3 …
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Found in Cold Streams, Mountain Lakes. Aver…
Redbreast Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus). Found in Rivers, Streams. Average length 8 …
Redear Sunfish
Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus). Found in Warm Ponds, Lakes. Average length…
Redeye Bass
Redeye Bass (Micropterus coosae). Found in Upland Streams. Average length 12 in,…
Redfin Pickerel
Redfin Pickerel (Esox americanus americanus). Found in Blackwater Streams SE USA…
Redhorse Sucker
Redhorse Sucker (Moxostoma macrolepidotum). Found in Clear Rivers. Average lengt…
Redside Dace
Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus). Found in Clear Cold Streams. Average lengt…
Rio Grande Cichlid
Rio Grande Cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus). Found in South Texas Rivers. Aver…
Roach
Roach (Rutilus rutilus). Found in Rivers, Lakes, Canals. Average length 10 in, w…
Rock Bass
Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris). Found in Rocky Streams. Average length 10 in,…
Rock Bass (Shadow)
Rock Bass (Shadow) (Ambloplites rupestris). Found in Rocky Streams, Lakes. Avera…
Round Goby
Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus). Found in Great Lakes (invasive). Average le…
Round Whitefish
Round Whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum). Found in Cold Deep Lakes. Average leng…
Rudd
Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus). Found in Weedy European Lakes. Average lengt…
Ruffe
Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua). Found in Cold Lakes, Rivers. Average length 6 in, …
Sacramento Perch
Sacramento Perch (Archoplites interruptus). Found in CA Valley Lakes. Average le…
Sauger
Sauger (Sander canadensis). Found in Turbid Rivers. Average length 16 in, weight…
Sauger (River)
Sauger (River) (Sander canadensis). Found in Turbid Large Rivers. Average length…
Saugeye
Saugeye (Sander vitreus × Sander canadensis). Found in Stocked Reservoirs. Avera…
Shadow Bass
Shadow Bass (Micropterus sp.). Found in Shaded Lowland Streams. Average length 1…
Shoal Bass
Shoal Bass (Micropterus cataractae). Found in Shoal Areas Fast Rivers GA/AL. Ave…
Shortnose Gar
Shortnose Gar (Lepisosteus platostomus). Found in Backwaters, Oxbows. Average le…
Shovelnose Sturgeon
Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). Found in Large Muddy Rivers. …
Silver Carp
Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Found in Large Rivers (invasive). Ave…
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Found in Rivers, Clear Lakes. Average le…
Smallmouth Buffalo
Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus). Found in Rivers, Reservoirs. Average leng…
Smelt (Rainbow)
Smelt (Rainbow) (Osmerus mordax). Found in Cold Lakes, Rivers. Average length 8 …
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). Found in Pacific Rivers, Lakes. Average len…
Splake
Splake (Salvelinus fontinalis × Salvelinus namaycush). Found in Cold Lakes. Aver…
Spotted Bass
Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus). Found in Rivers, Reservoirs. Average len…
Spotted Bass (Coosa)
Spotted Bass (Coosa) (Micropterus punctulatus). Found in Coosa River System AL/G…
Spotted Gar
Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus). Found in Lowland Rivers, Lakes. Average leng…
Spotted Sucker
Spotted Sucker (Minytrema melanops). Found in Clear Sandy Rivers. Average length…
Spotted Sunfish
Spotted Sunfish (Lepomis punctatus). Found in Swampy Lowland Waters. Average len…
Steelhead
Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Found in Great Lakes Tributaries. Average lengt…
Stonecat
Stonecat (Noturus flavus). Found in Rocky Rivers Midwest. Average length 9 in, w…
Striped Bass
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis). Found in Rivers, Large Reservoirs. Average leng…
Suwannee Bass
Suwannee Bass (Micropterus notius). Found in Tannic Rivers. Average length 13 in…
Taimen
Taimen (Hucho taimen). Found in Siberian Rivers. Average length 48 in, weight 60…
Tench
Tench (Tinca tinca). Found in Weedy Lakes, Ponds Europe. Average length 16 in, w…
Tiger Musky
Tiger Musky (Esox masquinongy × Esox lucius). Found in Stocked Lakes. Average le…
Tiger Trout
Tiger Trout (Salmo trutta × Salvelinus fontinalis). Found in Stocked Lakes. Aver…
Tiger Walleye
Tiger Walleye (Sander vitreus x Sander canadensis). Found in Stocked Northern Re…
Tigerfish
Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus). Found in Zambezi, Limpopo Rivers. Average lengt…
Trout Cod
Trout Cod (Maccullochella macquariensis). Found in Upper Murray River. Average l…
Tucunare (Peacock Bass)
Tucunare (Peacock Bass) (Cichla ocellaris). Found in Amazon Lakes, Florida (intr…
Vendace
Vendace (Coregonus albula). Found in Deep Cold Lakes Europe. Average length 10 i…
Vundu
Vundu (Heterobranchus longifilis). Found in Large African Rivers. Average length…
Walleye
Walleye (Sander vitreus). Found in Large Lakes, Rivers. Average length 22 in, we…
Walleye (Ice)
Walleye (Ice) (Sander vitreus). Found in Northern Lakes (Ice Season). Average le…
Warmouth
Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus). Found in Swampy Waters, Ponds. Average length 8 in, …
Wels Catfish
Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis). Found in European Rivers (introduced). Average le…
Westslope Cutthroat
Westslope Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi). Found in Rocky Mountain Strea…
White Bass
White Bass (Morone chrysops). Found in Lakes, Rivers. Average length 14 in, weig…
White Catfish
White Catfish (Ameiurus catus). Found in Coastal Rivers. Average length 14 in, w…
White Crappie
White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis). Found in Turbid Lakes, Rivers. Average length…
White Perch
White Perch (Morone americana). Found in Brackish Estuaries, Lakes. Average leng…
White Sturgeon
White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Found in Pacific Coast Rivers. Average…
White Sucker
White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii). Found in Rivers, Streams. Average length …
Whitefish (Ice)
Whitefish (Ice) (Coregonus clupeaformis). Found in Cold Northern Lakes (Ice). Av…
Yellow Bullhead
Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis). Found in Muddy Ponds, Streams. Average lengt…
Yellow Fish (Smallmouth Yellowfish)
Yellow Fish (Smallmouth Yellowfish) (Labeobarbus aeneus). Found in Orange/Vaal R…
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens). Found in Clear Lakes. Average length 10 in, wei…
Yellow Perch (Ice)
Yellow Perch (Ice) (Perca flavescens). Found in Northern Lakes (Ice Season). Ave…
Yellowstone Cutthroat
Yellowstone Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri). Found in Yellowstone Regi…
Zander
Zander (Sander lucioperca). Found in Large Rivers, Reservoirs Europe. Average le…
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