United States fishing guide
Browse 40 freshwater and saltwater species across 48+ states. Compare habitat, size, and bait — no account needed, no JavaScript required.
Quick overview
Check The Fish is a lightweight species guide built for anglers who want usable information quickly. Instead of digging through scattered pages, you can browse common and scientific names by category, compare each fish by habitat, average size, and productive bait, and see exactly which states a species is found in.
The collection focuses on well-known game fish and table fish across the United States, from largemouth bass and brook trout to redfish, tarpon, and mahi-mahi.
Bass
America's most popular freshwater game fish — from farm ponds to deep reservoirs and tidal rivers.
Micropterus salmoides
Most popular game fish in America. Green with dark horizontal stripe. Ambush predator that hides in vegetation.
Bass 48 states12–15 inches, 1–3 lbs
Up to 25 inches, 22 lbs
Lakes, ponds, rivers with vegetation and structure
Plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, live shiners
Micropterus dolomieu
Bronze-colored fighter. Prefers cooler, clearer water than largemouth. Known for aerial fighting.
Bass 40 states10–12 inches, 1–2 lbs
Up to 21 inches, 11 lbs
Clear, cool rivers and rocky lakes
Tubes, crankbaits, jigs, live crayfish
Morone saxatilis
Silver with black horizontal stripes. Anadromous (sea-run) or landlocked. Powerful fighter.
Bass 26 states20–30 inches, 5–15 lbs
Up to 70 inches, 125 lbs
Coastal waters, large reservoirs, tidal rivers
Live eels, bunker, shad, topwater lures
Morone chrysops
Silver with dark horizontal stripes. Schooling predator. Spring spawning runs in rivers.
Bass 25 states10–12 inches, 0.5–1.5 lbs
Up to 17 inches, 6 lbs
Large lakes and rivers, open water
Small jigs, inline spinners, live minnows
Micropterus punctulatus
Smaller cousin of the largemouth with rows of dark spots below the lateral line. Thrives in current.
Bass 20 states10–14 inches, 1–2 lbs
Up to 20 inches, 9 lbs
Rocky streams, reservoirs with current, bluff walls
Crankbaits, jerkbaits, small jigs, live crayfish
Trout & Salmon
Cold-water specialists from mountain streams, Great Lakes tributaries, and Pacific river systems.
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Pink stripe along sides. Native to Pacific Coast. Commonly stocked in cold waters.
Trout 32 states10–12 inches, 1 lb
Up to 45 inches, 50 lbs
Cold, clear streams and lakes
Salmon eggs, PowerBait, spinners, flies
Salvelinus fontinalis
Beautiful native trout with red spots and white-edged fins. Requires pristine cold water.
Trout 24 states6–10 inches, 0.5–1 lb
Up to 20 inches, 5 lbs
Cold mountain streams and spring-fed lakes
Worms, small spinners, dry flies
Salmo trutta
Golden-brown with red and black spots. Introduced from Europe. Wary and challenging to catch.
Trout 30 states12–16 inches, 1–3 lbs
Up to 40 inches, 40 lbs
Rivers and lakes with cold, oxygenated water
Minnows, nightcrawlers, streamers, nymphs
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Sea-run rainbow trout. Chrome silver. Legendary fighter and jumper. Winter and summer runs.
Trout 12 states20–30 inches, 5–12 lbs
Up to 45 inches, 55 lbs
Rivers and lakes (anadromous rainbow trout)
Salmon eggs, jigs, spoons, flies
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Largest Pacific salmon. Silver in ocean, darkens in rivers. Black gums. Prized for size and taste.
Salmon 8 states24–36 inches, 10–30 lbs
Up to 60 inches, 135 lbs
Ocean, large rivers (anadromous)
Herring, anchovies, spoons, plugs
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Bright silver with small black spots on upper tail. White gums. Aggressive sportfish.
Salmon 10 states18–24 inches, 6–12 lbs
Up to 38 inches, 36 lbs
Great Lakes, Pacific Ocean, streams
Spoons, spinners, flies, salmon roe
Salvelinus namaycush
Deep-water char with light spots on dark body. Longest-lived salmonid. Prefers frigid lake depths.
Trout 16 states18–24 inches, 3–8 lbs
Up to 50 inches, 72 lbs
Deep, cold, oligotrophic lakes
Spoons, jigs, live smelt, tube jigs
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Named for distinctive red-orange slash marks under the jaw. Native western trout with many subspecies.
Trout 11 states10–16 inches, 0.5–2 lbs
Up to 30 inches, 18 lbs
Mountain streams, alpine lakes, coastal rivers
Dry flies, nymphs, small spinners, worms
Catfish
Bottom-feeding powerhouses found in rivers, reservoirs, and lakes across the South and Midwest.
Ictalurus punctatus
Most popular catfish species. Gray-blue with whiskers (barbels). Bottom feeder with excellent sense of smell.
Catfish 45 states12–20 inches, 2–5 lbs
Up to 40 inches, 50 lbs
Rivers, lakes, reservoirs with moderate current
Chicken liver, stink bait, cut bait, worms
Pylodictis olivaris
Yellow-brown with flat head. Solitary predator that prefers live bait. Nocturnal feeder.
Catfish 27 states15–30 inches, 5–20 lbs
Up to 60 inches, 123 lbs
Large rivers and reservoirs with deep holes
Live bluegill, live shad, large live minnows
Ictalurus furcatus
Largest catfish species in North America. Slate-blue color. Found in main river channels.
Catfish 22 states20–30 inches, 5–15 lbs
Up to 65 inches, 143 lbs
Large rivers and reservoirs, main channels
Cut shad, skipjack, prepared baits
Panfish & Walleye
Beloved table fish — easy to find, fun to catch, and excellent eating from ice-out through fall.
Lepomis macrochirus
Popular panfish. Blue-purple face with dark ear flap. Excellent for beginners and kids.
Panfish 48 states6–8 inches, 0.25–0.5 lbs
Up to 12 inches, 4 lbs
Ponds, lakes, slow rivers with vegetation
Worms, crickets, small jigs, flies
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Silvery with irregular black blotches. Schooling fish that suspends near cover. Excellent table fare.
Panfish 37 states8–10 inches, 0.5–1 lb
Up to 19 inches, 5 lbs
Lakes, reservoirs, slow rivers near structure
Minnows, small jigs, tube jigs
Perca flavescens
Yellow-gold with dark vertical bars. Schooling fish. Excellent table fare. Ice fishing favorite.
Panfish 34 states8–10 inches, 0.25–0.5 lbs
Up to 16 inches, 4 lbs
Lakes, ponds, slow rivers near vegetation
Minnows, worms, small jigs, ice spoons
Sander vitreus
Golden-olive with white-tipped tail. Large reflective eyes for low-light feeding. Premium eating fish.
Game fish 31 states15–20 inches, 1–3 lbs
Up to 36 inches, 25 lbs
Large lakes and rivers with rocky or sandy bottoms
Minnows, night crawlers, jigs, crankbaits
Pomoxis annularis
Silver-white with vertical dark bars. Tolerates murkier water than black crappie. Schooling species.
Panfish 32 states8–10 inches, 0.5–1 lb
Up to 18 inches, 5 lbs
Reservoirs, rivers, and lakes with timber or brush
Minnows, small jigs, curly-tail grubs
Sander canadensis
Walleye's smaller cousin with dark saddle markings and spotted dorsal fin. River specialist.
Game fish 18 states10–14 inches, 0.5–1.5 lbs
Up to 22 inches, 8 lbs
Large turbid rivers, reservoirs with current
Jigs, minnows, blade baits, nightcrawlers
Ambloplites rupestris
Stocky panfish with red eyes and dark olive body. Aggressive biter found near rocky cover.
Panfish 22 states6–8 inches, 0.25–0.75 lbs
Up to 12 inches, 3 lbs
Rocky streams, clear lakes with boulders and gravel
Worms, small crayfish, crickets, small jigs
Pike & Muskie
Toothy ambush predators of northern lakes and rivers — aggressive strikers and trophy targets.
Esox lucius
Green torpedo-shaped predator with sharp teeth. Ambush hunter in vegetation. Aggressive striker.
Predator 32 states20–30 inches, 3–7 lbs
Up to 60 inches, 55 lbs
Weedy bays, slow rivers, cool lakes
Spoons, large spinners, spinnerbaits, live suckers
Esox masquinongy
The fish of 10,000 casts. Largest pike family member. Apex predator. Trophy fish with silver-green coloring.
Predator 19 states30–40 inches, 8–15 lbs
Up to 72 inches, 70 lbs
Large clear lakes and rivers with structure
Large jerkbaits, bucktails, swimbaits, live suckers
Esox niger
Smallest of the pike family with distinctive dark chain-link pattern on green sides. Aggressive ambush feeder.
Predator 21 states14–18 inches, 1–2 lbs
Up to 30 inches, 9 lbs
Weedy ponds, lakes, and slow streams
Small spinnerbaits, inline spinners, live minnows
Saltwater & Coastal
Inshore and offshore favorites along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Bronze-copper with black spot near tail. Inshore favorite. Tailing fish in shallow flats.
Saltwater 9 states20–28 inches, 5–10 lbs
Up to 60 inches, 94 lbs
Shallow coastal waters, bays, estuaries
Cut mullet, live shrimp, crabs, soft plastics
Centropomus undecimalis
Silver with prominent black lateral line. Tropical inshore favorite. Ambushes prey from structure.
Saltwater 2 states20–28 inches, 3–8 lbs
Up to 48 inches, 53 lbs
Mangroves, bridges, beaches, estuaries
Live pilchards, pinfish, shrimp, swimbaits
Megalops atlanticus
The silver king. Massive silver scales. Acrobatic jumps when hooked. Premier game fish.
Saltwater 8 states40–80 inches, 30–100 lbs
Up to 96 inches, 280 lbs
Coastal waters, passes, harbors, rivers
Live crabs, mullet, threadfin herring, artificial flies
Coryphaena hippurus
Brilliant blue-yellow-green colors. Fast growing. Blunt head on males. Excellent eating.
Saltwater 7 states20–30 inches, 10–20 lbs
Up to 78 inches, 87 lbs
Offshore waters, weed lines, flotsam
Live ballyhoo, squid, flying fish, feathers
Cynoscion nebulosus
Silver-gray with black spots. Inshore favorite. Feeds on top early morning. Delicate mouth.
Saltwater 8 states15–20 inches, 1–3 lbs
Up to 39 inches, 17 lbs
Grass flats, bays, estuaries, passes
Live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs
Paralichthys lethostigma
Flat-bodied ambush predator. Both eyes on top side. Camouflages with bottom. Excellent table fare.
Saltwater 8 states12–16 inches, 1–2 lbs
Up to 33 inches, 20 lbs
Sandy bottoms, inlets, bays, near structure
Live mud minnows, finger mullet, jigs
Lutjanus campechanus
Pink-red reef fish with pointed snout. Prized table fare. Found near structure in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
Saltwater 6 states16–24 inches, 4–10 lbs
Up to 40 inches, 50 lbs
Reefs, wrecks, rock ledges in 60–300 ft depth
Cut squid, cigar minnows, live pinfish, jigs
Pogonias cromis
Dark gray to black with chin barbels. Crushes shellfish with pharyngeal teeth. Young fish have vertical bars.
Saltwater 10 states14–24 inches, 3–10 lbs
Up to 50 inches, 96 lbs
Bays, estuaries, jetties, shell bars
Blue crab, shrimp, clams, cut mullet
Rachycentron canadum
Large brown torpedo-shaped fish with a flat head. Curious and sight-castable. Powerful fighters.
Saltwater 8 states30–40 inches, 15–30 lbs
Up to 72 inches, 135 lbs
Nearshore wrecks, buoys, migrating along coast
Live eels, crabs, jigs, sight-cast soft plastics
Scomberomorus cavalla
Fast pelagic predator with silver body and razor-sharp teeth. Blinding runs. Popular tournament fish.
Saltwater 8 states24–36 inches, 8–20 lbs
Up to 72 inches, 93 lbs
Nearshore and offshore reefs, wrecks, open water
Live blue runners, pogies, cigar minnows, spoons
Archosargus probatocephalus
Black and white vertical bars with human-like teeth for crushing shells. Master bait stealers.
Saltwater 8 states12–16 inches, 2–4 lbs
Up to 30 inches, 21 lbs
Pilings, jetties, bridges, oyster bars
Fiddler crabs, shrimp, barnacles, sand fleas
Trachinotus carolinus
Silver-gold with a deeply forked tail. One of the finest eating fish in saltwater. Surf fishing favorite.
Saltwater 7 states12–16 inches, 1–3 lbs
Up to 25 inches, 8 lbs
Surf zone, sandy beaches, inlets, passes
Sand fleas, shrimp, jigs with teasers
Acanthocybium solandri
Torpedo-shaped with steel-blue vertical bars. One of the fastest fish in the ocean — up to 60 mph.
Saltwater 5 states40–54 inches, 20–40 lbs
Up to 96 inches, 184 lbs
Deep offshore blue water, weed lines, current edges
High-speed trolling lures, live bait, strip baits
Epinephelus morio
Brownish-red with darker blotches. Bottom dweller that dives hard into structure when hooked.
Saltwater 4 states16–22 inches, 4–8 lbs
Up to 40 inches, 50 lbs
Reefs, rock ledges, wrecks in 60–200 ft depth
Live pinfish, grunts, squid, deep jigs
Planning notes
Habitat is often the fastest clue when choosing a target species. Vegetation and warm cover point anglers toward bass and panfish, while rocky current and cold oxygenated water favor trout, salmon, and smallmouth bass. Inshore grass flats, passes, bays, and estuaries are strong cues for redfish, seatrout, snook, and flounder.
Average size tells you more than trophy potential when you are selecting line, hooks, leader material, and rod power. A guide that mixes average and maximum size lets you prepare for everyday fishing while understanding what kind of outlier fish a body of water may produce.
Species presence does not guarantee an open season or legal retention. Bag limits, slot limits, harvest seasons, tackle restrictions, and license requirements vary by state and often by individual water body. Before fishing, confirm current regulations with the responsible state wildlife or fisheries agency.
FAQ
Browse the species profiles above. Each card expands to show every state where that species is commonly found. You can use the category sections and the jump links in the header to find species by type quickly.
Yes. The guide includes freshwater favorites like bass, trout, catfish, and panfish as well as coastal and offshore species such as redfish, mahi-mahi, tarpon, snook, spotted seatrout, and flounder.
The current guide covers 40 species across 7 categories: bass, trout, salmon, catfish, panfish and walleye, pike and muskellunge, and saltwater and coastal fish.
No. This guide is designed for trip planning and species research. Always confirm local seasons, limits, gear rules, and licensing requirements with the relevant state agency before fishing.