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EveryFish

🇨🇦 Fish of Canada

79 fish from Canada, best known first.

Canada’s fishing sector is a major economic driver, valued at $36.1 billion in 2018 and employing roughly 300,000 people. The industry relies heavily on exports, with over 75% of harvested seafood sold internationally to markets like the United States and China.

  • In 2018, the industry was worth $36.1 billion and employed 300,000 people.
  • Over 75% of harvested seafood is exported to international markets.
  • The United States accounts for 64% of Canada's seafood trade.
  • Aquaculture generated over $1 billion in GDP in 2015.
  • 37.1% of Canadian fisheries had uncertain health status as of 2022.

Fish of Canada

Canada possesses extensive marine and freshwater resources along its Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic coasts, as well as within the Great Lakes system. These waters support a diverse commercial industry that supplies domestic consumers and international buyers. In 2018, the sector generated significant revenue and employment, reflecting its importance to the national economy. The government manages these aquatic resources through Fisheries and Oceans Canada, aiming to balance economic activity with ecological sustainability. Export volumes exceed domestic consumption, creating a trade surplus in fish and seafood products. This global reach positions Canada among the top exporters worldwide, demonstrating the scale and competitiveness of its harvest operations.

Seas and rivers

The Canadian fishing industry operates across three primary regions: the Atlantic coast, the Pacific coast, and the inland waters including the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay. These diverse environments provide abundant habitats for various fish and shellfish species. The Atlantic region has historically been central to the industry, particularly around Newfoundland. The Pacific coast offers different ecological conditions supporting distinct harvests. Inland fisheries contribute significantly to freshwater production. The variety of water bodies allows for a wide range of seafood products, from cold-water cod to salmon and shellfish, catering to both local demand and international export requirements.

Fishing and farming

Aquaculture represents a rapidly expanding segment of the Canadian food production landscape, contributing over $1 billion to GDP in 2015. Commercial harvesting involves catching wild fish and shellfish, which are then processed in registered establishments. Sustainability is enforced through strict inspection protocols and certification programs that verify origin and handling practices. Traceability systems track products from catch to consumer to prevent illegal or mislabeled goods. The government implements quotas and vessel limits to manage stock levels and ensure long-term viability. Despite these measures, challenges such as climate change impacts and fluctuating market prices continue to affect industry stability and fish population health.

Today

Current management strategies focus on maintaining healthy ecosystems while supporting economic interests. Certification and traceability frameworks help Canadian exporters meet international standards, particularly in the European Union. However, recent data indicates that a significant portion of fisheries have uncertain health statuses, highlighting ongoing conservation challenges. The industry faces pressure to adapt to environmental changes and maintain sustainable harvest levels. Government initiatives aim to improve monitoring and support fishermen through advisory committees and financial mechanisms. Balancing ecological integrity with commercial success remains a central priority for policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Fishing industry in Canada", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Reef or seaRiver or lakeFishing harbourFish marketAquarium or researchCity

Fish places in Canada

The Grand Banks of Newfoundland
GroupSharkRayCarpCatfishSalmonidHerringCodTunaPerch-likeCichlidReef fishEelFlatfishLivebearerAncientOther
WaterRivers and lakesEstuaries and mangrovesCoasts and shelvesCoral reefsOpen oceanDeep seaPolar and cold seasCaves and springsBetween sea and river
UseFood fishFarmedAquarium fishSport fishingCulture and faithVenomous or dangerousInvasiveScience and research
OrderBest knownA to ZOldest firstNewest firstBy size
🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreBigmouth buffalo A long-lived North American freshwater fish known for its terminal mouth and exceptional lifespan.Catfish · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreSea lamprey A jawless, parasitic fish native to the Northern Hemisphere that attacks other fish.Ancient · Rivers and lakes · 1758 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreSockeye salmon Anadromous Pacific salmon known for red spawning colour and zooplankton diet.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1792 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreYellow perch Freshwater fish native to North America with distinctive vertical bars.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1814 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreLake sturgeon A large, long-lived freshwater fish native to North America.Ancient · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreAtlantic sturgeon A large anadromous fish native to the western Atlantic Ocean and its river systems.Ancient · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreShortnose sturgeon A small, endangered North American sturgeon with a short snout.Ancient · Rivers and lakes · 1818 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreLargemouth bass A large freshwater predator native to North America, prized by anglers and invasive in many regions.Other · Rivers and lakes · 1802 🇺🇸 United States and 2 morePumpkinseed A small freshwater fish native to eastern North America, known for its bright colours and red ear flap.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1793 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreBlack crappie A spotted freshwater sunfish native to North America, prized by anglers for its sport and table fare.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1856 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreGreen sunfish A small, aggressive freshwater fish native to North America, known for its blue-green colour and invasive potential in nPerch-like · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreSauger A freshwater perch species native to North American rivers.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1834 🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreLake trout Large freshwater char of northern lakesSalmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreDolly Varden trout A cold-water char native to the North Pacific rim.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1792 🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreArctic grayling A cold-water salmon relative with a large, colourful dorsal fin.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1776 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreEulachon A small anadromous smelt known for its high fat content and cultural importance in Pacific North America.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreAmerican eel A catadromous fish that migrates between North American rivers and the Sargasso Sea to spawn.Eel · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreChannel catfish A widespread North American freshwater catfish, prized for food and sport.Catfish · Rivers and lakes · 1819 🇷🇺 Russia and 4 moreNorthern pike A large freshwater ambush predator found across the Northern Hemisphere.Other · Rivers and lakes · 1758 🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreLake whitefish A cool-water freshwater fish from North America.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇷🇺 Russia and 3 moreChum salmon A Pacific salmon species known for its large size and wide distribution across the North Pacific.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1836 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreBlue walleye Extinct colour variant of the walleye from the Great LakesPerch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1926 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreBowfin Ancient North American freshwater fish with air-breathing abilityAncient · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreAmerican gizzard shad A silvery freshwater forage fish with a muscular gizzard.Herring · Rivers and lakes 🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreGoldeye A silver freshwater fish known for its smoked culinary form.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreLake chub A small cold-water minnow native to Canada and the northern US.Carp · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreBluegill A common North American sunfish known for its blue gill covers and popularity with anglers.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1854 🇷🇺 Russia and 3 moreBurbot A coldwater freshwater fish with a chin whisker, native to the Northern Hemisphere.Other · Rivers and lakes · 1758 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreRock bass A small, red-eyed freshwater sunfish native to North America.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreAlewife A small North American herring that migrates between sea and rivers.Herring · Coasts and shelves 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreFreshwater drum A hardy North American freshwater fish known for its grunting sound.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreYellow bullhead A medium-sized North American catfish known for its bright yellow belly and scavenging habits.Catfish · Rivers and lakes · 1819 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreFlathead catfish A large North American freshwater predator known for its broad head and carnivorous diet.Catfish · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreFathead minnow Small North American freshwater fish used as bait and in toxicity studies.Carp · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreGolden shiner A North American minnow used widely as bait and in pond culture.Carp · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreKokanee salmon A landlocked freshwater form of the sockeye salmon found in North America and Japan.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreOncorhynchus A genus of migratory fish native to the North Pacific basin.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreBrook trout A colorful freshwater char native to eastern North America, known for its spotted pattern and status as a popular game fSalmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1814 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreSmelt Small fish of the northern hemisphere known for spring runs and culinary traditions.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreWalleye A freshwater perch native to North America, prized for its pale eyes and firm white flesh.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1818 🇳🇴 Norway and 4 moreAtlantic salmon A large anadromous fish found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and its rivers.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1758 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreChinook salmon The largest Pacific salmon species, prized for size and food value.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreSteelhead Anadromous form of the rainbow trout that migrates between ocean and freshwater.Salmonid · Between sea and river 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreCoho salmon Anadromous Pacific salmon known for silver ocean phase and red spawning colours.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreBighead carp A large Asian freshwater fish farmed globally and invasive in North America.Carp · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreStriped bass Anadromous marine fish native to the Atlantic coast of North America, known for sport fishing and culinary use.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreAmerican shad An anadromous fish of the Atlantic coast known for its delicate flesh and cultural festivals.Herring · Rivers and lakes 🇨🇦 Canada and 3 moreSturgeon Ancient fish with bony plates and heterocercal tails, known for caviar.Ancient · Rivers and lakes

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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