Related Information

Salmon

 

Chinook Salmon

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are the largest of the Pacific salmon. Chinook salmon are highly prized by commercial fishermen and recreational anglers. Chinook salmon are anadromous fish. They hatch in freshwater streams and rivers, migrate to the ocean for feeding and growth, and return to their natal waters to spawn. Chinook spawning areas range from just above tidewater to over 3,200 kilometers from the ocean. The fish are are also known as king, pring, or tyee salmon.

Chinook salmon occur in North America from the Ventura River in California to Kotzebue Sound in Alaska. They also occur in Asia and Russia. Fish from Washington, Oregon, and California range widely throughout the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, and as far south as the U.S. border with Mexico. Chinook salmon have disappeared from several areas where they once flourished. As a result, several evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) have been listed or proposed for listing as at risk for extinction under the Endangered Species Act.

 

Coho Salmon

Coho or "silver" salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) are found in streams and rivers throughout much of the Pacific Rim, from central California to Korea and northern Japan. Coho are also anadromous and have a life history similar to chinook. However, the time they spend in fresh and salt water is relatively fixed, compared to chinook. North of central British Columbia, Canada, coho tend to spend two years in the ocean, while south of central B.C. they spend only one year in the ocean. Coho tend to spawn in smaller streams and tributaries. North American coho spawn in tributaries from the San Lorenzo River in Monterey Bay, California to Point Hope, Alaska, and throughout the Aleutian Islands. They are most abundant coastal Oregon to southeast Alaska.

 

Seatrout, Croakers and Drum

 

Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker or "hardhead" are popular saltwater fish common along the mid atlantic USA coast. They are known to have wild population fluctuations. The fish get their names because of the "croaking" noise the make when removed from the water. Croakers are hard fighters and prolific feeders. They are caught on a variety of baits and lures.

 

Black Drum

Black drum are heavy bodied fish with barbels or whiskers under the chin. Younger fish have four or five dark vertical bars on their sides but the stripes tend to fade with age. The coloration of backs and sides varies although drum usualy have a white belly. Black drum can exceed 100 pounds.

Black drum are members of the croaker family. A characteristic of this family of fish is the ability to produce croaking or drumming sounds with the air bladder, which is the reason for the common names croaker and drum. This ability is most developed in the black drum. Fishermen can sometime hear sounds from schools passing near their boats.

 

Red Drum

Red drum or redfish are another large member of the croaker family, sometimes exceeding 50 lbs. The fish are similar to black drum but are not as deep bodied and have a reddish-copper color. They feed on fish and crustaceans.

 

Spotted Seatrout

Spotted seatrout, also known as speckeld trout are common throughout the Southeast. In addtion to being caught commercially, spotted seatrout are the most sought after fish by recreational anglers in the USA.

 

Weakfish

Weakfish are also known as gray trout. Their coloration includes a dark olive back, iridescent blue and copper sides and a silvery white belly. Other identifying features are yellow fins, large canine teeth in the upper jaw and dark spots on the upper part of the body, sometimes forming diagonal lines. Adult weakfish typically range from 12 to 18 inches but can grow up to to 3 feet long and weigh 4-18 pounds. The name "weakfish" comes from the fish's fragile mouth, which tears easily when hooked. Weakfish is the state fish of Delaware.

 

Spot

Spot occur along the Atlantic coast in estuarine and coastal waters from the Gulf of Maine to Florida, although they are most abundant from Chesapeake Bay south to South Carolina. Spot are caught commercially in gillnets, and also in traps for use as live bait.

 

Flatfish

 

Pacific Halibut

Pacific halibut are the largest flatfish in the ocean. They can weigh up to 500 -700 pounds and can grow up to 9 feet long. They are among the most popular North American fish. Pacific halibut are common along the Northwest coast of the the USA and Canada. Halibut prefer rocky bottoms where they ambush food. Their diet consists of cod, pollock, herring, octopus, crabs, shrimp and other prey.

Pacific halibut is very popular among seafood lovers and is low in saturated fat and sodium, as well as a source of vitamins B6, B12, magnesium and potassium. The meat is white, mild and flakey. It's thickness lends itself to a variety of recipes including grilling, baking and broiling.

Sole

Sole are smaller flatfish that are related to halibut. Dover sole and English sole are bottom dwellers that feed on small fish, amphipods, molluscs, crustaceans and other ocean life. Sole are caught commercially by trawling and marketed as filet of sole. Both species make up a large portion of the commercial flatfish harvest in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder are an important commercially caught fish along the USA Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coast. Summer flounder (P. dentatis) begin life as free swimming fish. During growth, the "bottom" eye migrates to the upward-facing side of its body,allowing the flounder to lie on one side where it can ambush its prey. Flounder feed on a variety of small fish and crustaceans.

Winter Flounder

Winter flounder are an important commercial and recreational fish throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Several factors have contributed to serious declines of winter flounder populations. Current stocks are well below historical numbers.

 

Cod, Pollock, Hake and Haddock

 

Lingcod

Lingcod have a large head, large mouth, and large teeth. The fish have a long, elongate body which narrows towards the tail, the back having one long dorsal fin. Lingcod are usually dark gray, brown or a greenish color on the back with mottling or spotting along the back. Lingcod can reach up to 5 feet in length.

Lingcod is an important commercial catch in Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska. The fish are also sought after by recreational anglers because of its aggressive behavior, size and excellent table value.

Pacific Cod

Pacific cod are similar to Atlantic cod although generally smaller. Pacific cod are an important commercial food species. Local names include gray cod, gray wolf or grayfish. Pacific cod are found in the Bering Strait, along the Aleutian Islands and along Washington, Oregon and part of California.

Black Cod

Black cod is another Pacific fish. Also known as sable fish, these distinctive fish have dark skin and pearly white flesh. Seafood lovers describe the fish as having a smooth texture and rich taste, due to its high oil content. The fish is low in calories and a source of protein and other nutrients. Black Cod can contain up to 50% more Omega-3 Oil than salmon.

Alaska Pollock

Alaska pollock can grow to more than 20 pounds, although most of the fish landed in the commercial fishery weigh less than three pounds. Alaska pollock are caught in huge numbers by factory ships, with Alaska pollock making up roughly 40% of the U.S. total commercial catch. Also known as Pacific pollock, the fish are members of the cod family.

 

Striped Bass and Perch

 

Striped Bass

Striped bass have several regional names. Known as striped bass, stripers, linesides, rockfish and other names, this fish is highly sought after as a recreational fish, as a commercial species and is even grown in aquaculture operations. Striped bass are very hardy fish, and even take to life in freshwater where they are often stocked throughout the USA.

 

White perch

White perch are small but tenacious fish that live along the mid-atlantic coast in brackish waters such as rivers, creeks and bays. The fish are caught on hook and line with small baits such as grass shrimp or bloodworms, or by casting artificial lures or flies. Perch can be caught year round, even thru ice. They school up to spawn in early spring and can be caught in large numbers. White perch are caught commercially in rivers and upper parts of estuaries using gillnets or pound nets.

 

Grunts and Other Small Fish

 

Pinfish

Pinfish, also known as sailor’s choice, or pin perch is one of the most common inshore fish. It ranges from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico. Pinfish known to coastal anglers as a "bait stealer," but are sought after as a bait for other larger fish. Pinfish are abundant from Virginia south. They occur over a wide variety of bottom types but prefer vegetated bottoms. Pinfish can tolerate wide variations in temperature and salinity conditions. Pinfish reach lengths of about 15 inches, although most pinfish are 4-8 inches in length and are usually considered as baitfish.

Pigfish

Pigfish are colorful members of the grunt family. They are marked with a bluish upper and a silver lower body. Each scale has a blue center and bronze edge, which forms a series of yellow-brown stripes on the sides and sometimes exhibits orange bands on the snout and head. The full range of pigfish extends
from Massachusetts through the Gulf of Mexico, although they are rare north of Virginia. Pigfish are caught by recreational anglers and considered to be a good quality food fish.

Pigfish have limited commercial importance, and most commercial landings come as pigfish are mixed with other grunt species. Pigfish are also used as live bait especially in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Pigfish reach lengths of about 18 inches, with a maximum weight of about 2 pounds. Pigfish are short lived and rarely exceed 3 years of age.