Field guide · 112 species
Know the fish before you cast
What each fish is, where it lives, when it feeds, and exactly what to throw at it. Written for people learning the water, not memorizing Latin.
Water
Difficulty
Start here · beginner friendly
Centrarchidae
Bluegill
Very easy4-10″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX AK AZ CA CO CT DE HI ID IL IN IA KS ME MD MA MI MN MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY ND OH OK OR PA RI SD UT VT WA WI WY
Sciaenidae
Atlantic Croaker
Easy8-14″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX NY NJ DE MD CT RI MA
Scombridae
Atlantic Mackerel
Easy10-18″ · ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD VA NC
Serranidae
Barred Sand Bass
Easy12-20″ · CA
Embiotocidae
Barred Surfperch
Easy9-14″ · CA OR
Centrarchidae
Black Crappie
Easy8-12″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX AZ CA CO CT DE IL IN IA KS ME MD MA MI MN MO NE NV NH NJ NM NY ND OH OK OR PA RI SD UT WA WI
Sciaenidae
Black Drum
Easy14-36″ · NC SC VA TX LA MS AL FL GA NJ DE MD NY CT RI
Sebastidae
Black Rockfish
Easy14-22″ · AK WA OR CA
Serranidae
Black Sea Bass
Easy10-18″ · NC SC VA GA FL ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD
Pomatomidae
Bluefish
Easy14-30″ · NC SC VA GA FL TX LA MS AL ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD
Ictaluridae
Brown Bullhead
Easy8-14″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA ME NH VT MA RI CT NY NJ PA DE MD OH IN IL MI WI MN IA MO ND SD NE KS OK TX MT WA OR CA ID NV AZ CO
Esocidae
Chain Pickerel
Easy14-24″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX ME NH VT MA RI CT NY NJ PA DE MD OH OK
Ictaluridae
Channel Catfish
Easy12-30″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX AK AZ CA CO CT DE IL IN IA KS MD MA MI MN MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY ND OH OK OR PA RI SD UT WI WY
Sciaenidae
Freshwater Drum
Easy12-24″ · OK TX LA MS AL GA NC SC WV PA NY VA MD MT WY CO NM AZ NV MN WI IA IL IN OH MI MO KS NE SD ND KY TN AR
Centrarchidae
Green Sunfish
Easy4-8″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX AZ CA CO CT DE IL IN IA KS MD MI MN MO MT NE NV NJ NM NY ND OH OK OR PA SD UT WI WY
Hexagrammidae
Kelp Greenling
Easy10-18″ · AK WA OR CA
Centrarchidae
Largemouth Bass
Easy10-24″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX AK AZ CA CO CT DE HI ID IL IN IA KS ME MD MA MI MN MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY ND OH OK OR PA RI SD UT VT WA WI WY
Sparidae
Pinfish
Easy4-8″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX
Centrarchidae
Pumpkinseed
Easy4-8″ · NC VA SC WV TN KY GA ME NH VT MA RI CT NY NJ PA DE MD OH MI WI MN IN IL IA MT WA OR CA CO ID NM NE MO
Sciaenidae
Red Drum
Easy14-40″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX MD DE NJ
Centrarchidae
Redbreast Sunfish
Easy5-9″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN AL MS LA KY WV MD DE NJ PA NY CT RI MA NH ME VT TX
Centrarchidae
Redear Sunfish
Easy7-11″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX OK CA AZ NV NM MO IL IN OH KS MD DE NJ CO HI
Esocidae
Redfin Pickerel
Easy6-12″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS TN LA AR KY MD DE NJ PA NY CT RI MA NH ME WV TX
Centrarchidae
Rock Bass
Easy6-10″ · NC VA SC WV KY TN GA AL AR ME NH VT MA CT RI NY NJ PA OH MI WI MN IA IL IN MO OK KS NE SD ND MD
Sparidae
Scup
Easy7-14″ · VA NC SC ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD
Sciaenidae
Southern Kingfish
Easy10-16″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX NJ DE MD NY
Sciaenidae
Spot
Easy6-11″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX NY NJ DE MD CT
Centrarchidae
Warmouth
Easy4-9″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX MO OK IL IN OH KS IA MD DE NJ
Ictaluridae
White Catfish
Easy10-18″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA AR TX NJ DE MD CA NY PA CT MA RI TN OR WA
Centrarchidae
White Crappie
Easy8-13″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX OK KS MO IL IN OH IA NE MN WI MI SD ND CO NM AZ CA NV UT PA MD NJ NY MT WY OR WA ID
Moronidae
White Perch
Easy7-11″ · NC VA SC GA WV ME NH VT MA RI CT NY NJ PA DE MD OH
Pleuronectidae
Winter Flounder
Easy10-16″ · ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD VA
Ictaluridae
Yellow Bullhead
Easy7-14″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX NY PA OH IN IL MI WI MN IA MO KS NE OK NJ DE MD CT MA NH VT ME CO CA
Percidae
Yellow Perch
Easy7-12″ · NC VA SC WV KY TN GA AR MS MN WI MI IL IN OH PA NY NJ CT RI MA NH VT ME MD DE IA MO NE SD ND MT KS WY CO WA OR ID UT NV OK AK
More of a challenge
Centrarchidae
Alabama Bass
Moderate10-18″ · NC SC VA AL GA TN MS TX FL CA
Clupeidae
American Shad
Moderate14-24″ · NC VA SC GA FL AL ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ PA DE MD CA OR WA
Salmonidae
Arctic Grayling
Moderate10-16″ · AK MT WY
Gadidae
Atlantic Cod
Moderate20-36″ · ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ
Ephippidae
Atlantic Spadefish
Moderate10-18″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX NY NJ DE MD
Ictaluridae
Blue Catfish
Moderate18-45″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX MD OK KS MO IL IN OH IA NE CO NM AZ CA NJ PA
Amiidae
Bowfin
Moderate16-30″ · VA MD DE NJ NY OK FL GA SC NC AL MS LA TX AR TN KY MO IL IN OH MI WI MN IA
Salmonidae
Brook Trout
Moderate6-10″ · NC VA SC TN GA WV KY ME NH VT NY MA CT RI NJ PA MD MI WI MN MT WY CO UT ID WA OR CA NM
Lotidae
Burbot
Moderate15-30″ · AK MT ND MN WI MI ID WY SD NY VT NH ME WA CO UT IA NE PA
Cottidae
Cabezon
Moderate14-24″ · CA OR WA AK
Sciaenidae
California Corbina
Moderate16-26″ · CA
Paralichthyidae
California Halibut
Moderate20-36″ · CA
Salmonidae
Coho Salmon
Moderate18-30″ · AK WA OR CA ID MI WI MN NY PA
Cyprinidae
Common Carp
Moderate18-32″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX AK AZ CA CO CT DE ID IL IN IA KS ME MD MA MI MN MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY ND OH OK OR PA RI SD UT VT WA WI WY
Centropomidae
Common Snook
Moderate18-36″ · FL TX LA GA
Carangidae
Crevalle Jack
Moderate18-36″ · FL TX LA AL MS GA SC NC VA CA
Salmonidae
Cutthroat Trout
Moderate8-18″ · MT ID WY CO UT WA OR CA NV NM AK
Scombridae
False Albacore
Moderate18-30″ · NC VA SC GA FL LA TX MS AL ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD
Carangidae
Florida Pompano
Moderate10-16″ · NC SC VA FL GA AL MS LA TX
Lutjanidae
Gray Snapper
Moderate10-18″ · FL TX LA AL MS GA SC NC
Balistidae
Gray Triggerfish
Moderate12-18″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX
Paralichthyidae
Gulf Flounder
Moderate12-18″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX
Clupeidae
Hickory Shad
Moderate12-18″ · NC VA SC GA FL ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD
Moronidae
Hybrid Striped Bass
Moderate14-24″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX OK MO KS OH IN IL MD PA NJ NY CT MA CA AZ NM CO NE IA MN
Serranidae
Kelp Bass
Moderate12-22″ · CA
Salmonidae
Kokanee
Moderate9-18″ · WA OR ID MT CA NV UT CO WY NM AK SD
Salmonidae
Lake Whitefish
Moderate14-22″ · MI WI MN NY VT ME NH MT ID PA OH
Hexagrammidae
Lingcod
Moderate22-40″ · AK WA OR CA
Lepisosteidae
Longnose Gar
Moderate24-48″ · TX LA MS AL AR OK MO TN KY IL IN OH WV VA NC SC GA FL KS NE IA WI MN MI PA NY MD NJ SD
Coryphaenidae
Mahi-mahi
Moderate20-45″ · FL HI NC SC GA TX LA AL MS VA NJ NY CA
Esocidae
Northern Pike
Moderate20-36″ · AK MN WI MI MT ND SD NY ME VT NH PA OH IL IN IA NE WY ID WA CO MO KS NJ MD VA WV MA CT OR UT AR
Sphyraenidae
Pacific Barracuda
Moderate18-30″ · CA OR
Scombridae
Pacific Bonito
Moderate18-28″ · CA OR WA
Salmonidae
Pink Salmon
Moderate18-25″ · AK WA OR ID MI MN WI NY
Gadidae
Pollock
Moderate18-36″ · ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ
Salmonidae
Rainbow Trout
Moderate8-16″ · NC VA SC TN GA WV KY AR AL AK WA OR CA ID MT WY CO UT NV AZ NM WI MI MN NY PA MO NE SD ND OK TX NH VT ME MA CT NJ MD OH IN IL IA KS HI RI DE
Lutjanidae
Red Snapper
Moderate16-30″ · FL AL MS LA TX GA SC NC
Centrarchidae
Roanoke Bass
Moderate6-10″ · NC VA SC
Sparidae
Sheepshead
Moderate12-22″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX NY NJ DE MD
Centrarchidae
Smallmouth Bass
Moderate10-18″ · NC VA SC TN KY WV GA AL AR ME NH VT MA CT RI NY NJ PA MD OH MI IN IL WI MN IA MO OK KS NE SD ND MT WY CO UT ID WA OR CA
Paralichthyidae
Southern Flounder
Moderate14-24″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX
Scombridae
Spanish Mackerel
Moderate14-24″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX MD DE NJ
Centrarchidae
Spotted Bass
Moderate10-18″ · MO OK IL IN OH KS CA AZ NM NC SC VA AL GA TN KY MS AR LA TX WV FL
Sciaenidae
Spotted Seatrout
Moderate12-22″ · NC SC VA MD DE NJ GA FL AL MS LA TX
Mugilidae
Striped Mullet
Moderate8-16″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX MD DE NJ NY CA OR HI
Paralichthyidae
Summer Flounder
Moderate14-22″ · NC SC VA GA MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD FL ME NH
Labridae
Tautog
Moderate12-22″ · NC VA SC ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD
Sebastidae
Vermilion Rockfish
Moderate14-22″ · CA OR WA
Sciaenidae
Weakfish
Moderate12-24″ · NC SC VA MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD GA FL LA TX
Moronidae
White Bass
Moderate9-15″ · NC VA SC TN KY AR AL GA MS LA TX WV FL MN WI MI IA IL IN OH MO KS NE SD ND OK PA NY MD NJ CO NM AZ UT CA
Sebastidae
Yelloweye Rockfish
Moderate20-30″ · AK WA OR CA
Lepisosteidae
Alligator Gar
Hard36-84″ · TX LA MS AR OK MO TN KY IL AL FL GA KS
Albulidae
Bonefish
Hard16-28″ · FL HI TX
Salmonidae
Brown Trout
Hard10-20″ · NC VA SC TN GA WV AR KY AL ME NH VT MA CT RI NY NJ PA MD OH MI WI MN IA MO MT WY CO UT ID NV NM AZ CA OR WA SD NE AK
Carangidae
California Yellowtail
Hard20-40″ · CA
Salmonidae
Chinook Salmon
Hard24-40″ · AK WA OR CA ID MT MI WI MN NY PA
Rachycentridae
Cobia
Hard30-50″ · NC VA SC GA FL AL MS LA TX MD DE NJ
Ictaluridae
Flathead Catfish
Hard18-40″ · NC SC VA GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX OK KS NE MO IA IL IN OH MN SD NM AZ CA MD PA
Epinephelidae
Gag Grouper
Hard22-36″ · FL GA SC NC AL MS LA TX
Salmonidae
Golden Trout
Hard6-12″ · CA WY CO MT WA ID NV UT NM
Carangidae
Greater Amberjack
Hard28-50″ · NC SC VA FL GA AL MS LA TX
Scombridae
King Mackerel
Hard24-45″ · NC SC VA GA FL AL MS LA TX
Acipenseridae
Lake Sturgeon
Hard30-60″ · WI MI NY PA OH IN IL IA MO TN WV MT ND SD VT NE KY MN
Salmonidae
Lake Trout
Hard18-34″ · AK ME NH VT NY MI WI MN MT WY ID WA UT CO NV CA PA
Esocidae
Muskellunge
Hard28-42″ · NC VA TN KY WV GA MN WI MI NY PA OH IN IL IA MO ME VT NH MT NE SD ND
Pleuronectidae
Pacific Halibut
Hard24-60″ · AK WA OR CA
Carangidae
Permit
Hard18-30″ · FL TX LA AL MS GA SC NC
Percidae
Sauger
Hard10-18″ · NC VA SC KY TN WV AR AL MS GA LA MT ND SD NE MN IA MO KS IL IN OH OK PA WI WY NY
Salmonidae
Sockeye Salmon
Hard18-28″ · AK WA ID OR CA
Salmonidae
Steelhead
Hard20-34″ · AK WA OR CA ID MT MI NY PA OH WI MN IN
Moronidae
Striped Bass
Hard18-36″ · NC VA SC GA FL TN KY WV AL MS AR LA TX ME NH MA RI CT NY NJ DE MD CA OR WA PA MO OK NM AZ NV
Megalopidae
Tarpon
Hard40-72″ · NC SC VA FL GA AL MS LA TX
Esocidae
Tiger Muskie
Hard28-42″ · WA MN WI MI OH PA NY WV CO UT MT IA NE IN IL VA MD ID NC CT MA
Scombridae
Wahoo
Hard36-60″ · FL HI NC SC GA TX LA AL MS VA CA
Percidae
Walleye
Hard14-24″ · NC VA SC MN WI MI ND SD MT NY PA OH IN IL IA NE KS MO OK TX CO WY ID WA OR NV UT NM ME NH VT MA CT NJ MD TN WV KY GA AR AL
Sciaenidae
White Seabass
Hard24-40″ · CA OR WA
Scombridae
Yellowfin Tuna
Hard30-72″ · FL TX LA MS AL NC SC GA VA NJ NY MA RI CT ME CA HI
Acipenseridae
White Sturgeon
Expert40-84″ · CA OR WA ID MT NV AK