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EveryFish

🇺🇸 Fish of the United States

183 fish from the United States, best known first.

The United States operates the world's second-largest exclusive economic zone, supporting a massive commercial and recreational fishing industry. Management is split between state nearshore controls and federal oversight of coastal waters, focusing on stock recovery and habitat protection. Major catches include lobster, scallops, salmon, and tuna across diverse marine ecosystems.

  • U.S. exclusive economic zone covers 11.4 million square kilometres
  • New Bedford is the top fishing port by value at $369 million
  • Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area spans 725,000 square km
  • Aquaculture allowed in Gulf of Mexico federal waters since 2016
  • Magnuson-Stevens Act enabled federal fishery management in 1976

Fish of the United States

The United States manages an exclusive economic zone covering 11.4 million square kilometres, the second largest globally. This vast area supports significant wild capture and aquaculture production. Federal law enacted in 1976 established active management to prevent resource depletion. The National Marine Fisheries Service works with regional councils to monitor stocks and reduce bycatch. Inland fisheries remain small compared to marine operations. State authorities handle nearshore zones up to three nautical miles from shore. Federal agencies oversee the broader coastal waters within the exclusive economic zone. The industry relies on data collection from vessels and partnerships with research institutions.

Notable species

Notable species include American lobster and Atlantic sea scallop in the Northeast. Groundfish like haddock and cod have faced overfishing but show signs of recovery. Pacific salmon and halibut are key resources on the West Coast. Highly migratory species such as bluefin tuna and swordfish cross international boundaries. Shrimp varieties dominate Southeast catches. King and Spanish mackerel stocks rebounded after regulatory restrictions. Spiny lobster populations in the Western Pacific declined due to oceanographic shifts. Pacific sardines are recovering after decades of low numbers. Rockfish grow slowly and require careful management.

Seas and rivers

Eight large marine ecosystems define the U.S. exclusive economic zone. These include the Northeast and Southeast continental shelves, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the California Current, the Insular Pacific-Hawaiian region, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Eastern Bering Sea. Nearshore areas consist of estuaries and coastal waters under state control. Coastal fisheries extend to two hundred nautical miles offshore. The Aleutian Islands habitat conservation area protects seafloor communities from bottom trawling. Seamounts within U.S. jurisdiction host commercially important fish stocks. Inland waters feature the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin.

Fishing and farming

Commercial fleets use diesel vessels equipped with advanced navigation and detection technology. Purse seiners, longliners, and otter trawls are common gear types. Factory ships process catch at sea for efficiency. Individual fishing quotas help manage harvest levels. Marine protected areas restrict destructive fishing methods. Aquaculture in federal waters began in 2016 to boost domestic production. Recreational fishing contributes significantly to nearshore economies. Size limits and bag restrictions apply to many game fish. Bycatch reduction measures aim to protect non-target species. Ecosystem-based management guides policy decisions.

Fish in culture

Fishing traditions developed alongside coastal settlement patterns. Port cities like New Bedford serve as major hubs for landings. Lobster and scallop trades support local economies. Indigenous communities participate in tribal fisheries programs. Historical concerns about diminishing fish stocks date back to the nineteenth century. Modern management balances ecological sustainability with economic interests. Fishing festivals celebrate regional maritime heritage. Educational programmes promote responsible angling practices.

Today

Current efforts focus on restoring overfished stocks and protecting essential habitats. Regional councils implement specific plans for each fishery. Data transmission from observers improves monitoring accuracy. International cooperation addresses transboundary species migration. Climate impacts influence stock distribution and abundance. Technology aids in locating schools and optimizing routes. Conservation zones limit access to sensitive areas. Industry stakeholders collaborate on sustainable practices.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Fishing industry in the United States", 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 the United States

Monterey Bay Aquarium 2Bristol Bay 1Georgia Aquarium 1Pike Place Market, SeattleThe Columbia River at Bonneville
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
🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreMuskellunge Large freshwater predatory fish native to North America and the largest member of the pike family.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreBull trout A large char native to cold rivers of northwestern North America.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1836 🇨🇦 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 🇺🇸 United StatesWestslope cutthroat trout Native salmonid of the upper Columbia and Missouri river basins.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1856 🇺🇸 United StatesLahontan cutthroat trout Large native trout of the Lahontan Basin in Nevada and surrounding states.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesCalifornia golden trout Native high-elevation trout of the Sierra NevadaSalmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1892 🇺🇸 United StatesGila trout A copper-coloured salmonid native to the US Southwest.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 3 morePacific angelshark A flat-bodied ambush shark of the eastern Pacific coast.Shark · Coasts and shelves · 1859 🇺🇸 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 🇺🇸 United StatesAtlantic tarpon Large, acrobatic saltwater game fish of the Atlantic.Other · Coasts and shelves · 1847 🇷🇺 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 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 StatesCutthroat trout A group of Pacific trout native to western North America, known for red throat markings.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes · 1793 🇺🇸 United StatesApache trout A golden-spotted trout native to Arizona highlands.Salmonid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreCreek chubs Small North American minnows with a distinctive dorsal spotCarp · Rivers and lakes 🇧🇷 Brazil and 2 morePeacock bass Large predatory cichlids from South American rivers known for sport fishing and invasive impact.Cichlid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreLake sturgeon A large, long-lived freshwater fish native to North America.Ancient · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreLongnose gar A primitive ray-finned fish with a long snout and armored scales found in North America.Other · Rivers and lakes · 1758 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreGar Ancient armored fish with lung-like swim bladders found in North American waters.Ancient · Rivers and lakes · 1758 🇺🇸 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 StatesSpotted bass A North American freshwater fish known for dark spots below its lateral line.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesGuadalupe bass A rare Texas endemic black bass prized by anglers for its fighting spirit.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 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 1 moreSauger A freshwater perch species native to North American rivers.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes · 1834 🇺🇸 United StatesWhite sucker A common North American freshwater cypriniform fish with fleshy lips used for bottom feeding.Other · Rivers and lakes · 1803 🇨🇦 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 1 moreBowfin Ancient North American freshwater fish with air-breathing abilityAncient · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesAmerican paddlefish Ancient freshwater fish with a sensory snout and filter-feeding habits.Ancient · Rivers and lakes · 1792 🇨🇦 Canada and 1 moreGoldeye A silver freshwater fish known for its smoked culinary form.Other · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreGreen sturgeon A large anadromous fish native to the northern Pacific Ocean.Shark · Coasts and shelves 🇺🇸 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 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreRock bass A small, red-eyed freshwater sunfish native to North America.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesCrappie Two species of North American freshwater sunfish prized by anglers for sport and food.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesWhite bass A silver-striped freshwater fish native to North American rivers and lakes.Other · 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 moreTexas cichlid The only cichlid native to the United StatesCichlid · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesRedear sunfish Freshwater panfish known for crushing snail shells.Perch-like · Rivers and lakes 🇺🇸 United StatesBrown bullhead A hardy North American catfish known for surviving poor water conditions.Catfish · Rivers and lakes · 1819 🇺🇸 United StatesWhite crappie North American freshwater fish with vertical body barsPerch-like · 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 StatesBlack bullhead A small, hardy North American catfish that tolerates poor water conditions and feeds at night.Catfish · Rivers and lakes
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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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