U.S. State Fishes: A Comprehensive List of Official Aquatic Symbols
Across the United States, many states have chosen to honor their unique aquatic ecosystems by designating official state fishes. These symbols represent the diverse biological heritage of the nation, ranging from the cold-water trout of the Appalachian Mountains to the saltwater predators of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Whether they are freshwater species or marine inhabitants, these fish serve as important cultural and biological icons for their respective states.
In many instances, states recognize multiple official fishes to represent different environments. For example, some states designate a specific freshwater species for inland lakes and rivers, while also selecting a saltwater species to represent their coastal waters.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบKey Facts
- Many states, such as Alabama and Florida, recognize both freshwater and saltwater state fishes.
- The Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is one of the most frequently recognized state fishes across various states.
- Some states, including Indiana and Iowa, currently have no officially recognized state fish.
- The Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is a common official symbol for several Midwestern and Southern states.
- Official designations vary by year, with some symbols being established in the mid-20th century and others as recently as 2019.
Diversity of Aquatic Life
The variety of species chosen as state symbols highlights the vast differences in American geography. In the western United States, cutthroat trout subspecies are prominent, reflecting the importance of mountain streams. In contrast, the coastal states often celebrate species like the striped bass or red drum, which are vital to marine ecology and local fishing traditions.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Designations
Understanding the distinction between these habitats is essential when reviewing state lists. Freshwater fish inhabit lakes, rivers, and streams, while saltwater fish are found in oceans and estuaries. Some states, like Georgia, even distinguish between specific types of freshwater environments, such as cold water game fish.
Below is a summary of selected state fish data to illustrate these patterns:
| State | Common Name | Scientific Name | Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Largemouth bass | Micropterus salmoides | Freshwater |
| California | Garibaldi | Hypsypops rubicundus | Saltwater |
| Colorado | Greenback cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias | Freshwater |
| Florida | Atlantic sailfish | Istiophorus albicans | Saltwater |
| Minnesota | Walleye | Sander vitreus | Freshwater |
Complete List of Official State Fishes
The following table provides a detailed overview of the official fish recognized by various states and the District of Columbia, including their scientific names and the year they were officially designated.
| State | Common Name | Scientific Name | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Largemouth bass (fresh water) | Micropterus salmoides | 1975 |
| Alabama | Fighting tarpon (salt water) | Megalops atlanticus | 1955 |
| Alaska | King salmon | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | 1962 |
| Arizona | Apache trout | Oncorhynchus gilae (subspecies apache) | 1986 |
| Arkansas | Alligator gar (primitive) | Atractosteus spatula | 2019 |
| California | Golden trout (fresh water) | Oncorhynchus mykiss (subspecies aguabonita) | 1947 |
| California | Garibaldi (salt water) | Hypsypops rubicundus | 1995 |
| Colorado | Greenback cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii (subspecies stomias) | 1994 |
| Connecticut | American shad | Alosa sapidissima | 2003 |
| Delaware | Weakfish | Cynoscion genus | 1981 |
| District of Columbia | American shad | Alosa sapidissima | N/A |
| Florida | Florida largemouth bass (fresh water) | Micropterus floridanus | 2007 |
| Florida | Atlantic sailfish (salt water) | Istiophorus albicans | 2007 |
| Georgia | Largemouth bass | Micropterus salmoides | 1970 |
| Georgia | Southern Appalachian brook trout | Salvelinus fontinalis | 2006 |
| Georgia | Red drum (salt-water fish) | Sciaenops ocellatus | 2006 |
| Hawaii | Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (Reef triggerfish) | Rhinecanthus rectangulus | 2006 |
| Idaho | Cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii | 1990 |
| Illinois | Bluegill | Lepomis macrochirus | 1986 |
| Kansas | Channel catfish | Ictalurus punctatus | 2018 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky spotted bass | Micropterus punctulatus | 1956 |
| Louisiana | White crappie (fresh water) | Pomoxis annularis | 1993 |
| Louisiana | Spotted sea trout (salt water) | Cynoscion nebulosus | 2001 |
| Maine | Landlocked Atlantic salmon | Salmo salar sebago | 1969 |
| Maryland | Rockfish (striped bass) | Morone saxatilis | 1965 |
| Maryland | Megalodon | Otodus megalodon | 2026 |
| Massachusetts | Cod | Gadus morhua | 1974 |
| Michigan | Brook trout | Salvelinus fontinalis | 1988 |
| Minnesota | Walleye | Sander vitreus | 1965 |
| Mississippi | Largemouth bass | Micropterus salmoides | 1974 |
| Missouri | Channel catfish | Ictalurus punctatus | 1997 |
| Missouri | Paddlefish | Polyodon spathula | 1997 |
| Montana | Blackspotted cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii (subspecies lewisi) | 1977 |
| Nebraska | Channel catfish | Ictalurus punctatus | 1997 |
| Nevada | Lahontan cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii (subspecies henshawi) | 1981 |
| New Hampshire | Brook trout (freshwater) | Salvelinus fontinalis | 1994 |
| New Hampshire | Striped bass (salt water game fish) | Morone saxatilis | 1994 |
| New Jersey | Brook trout (freshwater) | Salvelinus fontinalis | 1991 |
| New Jersey | Striped bass (salt water game fish) | Morone saxatilis | 2017 |
| New Mexico | Rio Grande cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii (subspecies virginalis) | 2005 |
| New York | Brook trout (freshwater) | Salvelinus fontinalis | 1975 |
| New York | Striped bass (marine/saltwater) | Morone saxatilis | 2006 |
| North Carolina | Channel bass (saltwater) | Sciaenops ocellatus | 1971 |
| North Carolina | Southern Appalachian brook trout | Salvelinus fontinalis | 2005 |
| North Dakota | Northern pike | Esox lucius | 1969 |
| Oklahoma | White bass | Morone chrysops | 1974 |
| Oregon | Chinook salmon | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha | 1961 |
| Pennsylvania | Brook trout | Salvelinus fontinalis | 1970 |
| Rhode Island | Striped bass | Morone saxatilis | 2000 |
| South Carolina | Striped bass | Morone saxatilis | 1972 |
| South Dakota | Walleye | Sander vitreus | 1992 |
| Tennessee | Smallmouth bass (sport fish) | Micropterus dolomieu | 2005 |
| Tennessee | Channel catfish (state commercial fish) | Ictalurus punctatus | 1987 |
| Texas | Guadalupe bass (freshwater) | Micropterus treculii | 1989 |
| Texas | Red drum (saltwater) | Sciaenops ocellatus | 2011 |
| Utah | Bonneville cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii (subspecies utah) | 1997 |
| Vermont | Brook trout (cold water) | Salvelinus fontinalis | 1978 |
| Vermont | Walleye (warm water) | Sander vitreus | 2012 |
| Virginia | Brook trout (fresh water) | Salvelinus fontinalis | 2011 |
| Virginia | Striped bass (salt water) | Morone saxatilis | N/A |
| Washington | Steelhead trout | Oncorhynchus mykiss | 1969 |
| West Virginia | Brook trout | Salvelinus fontinalis | 1973 |
| Wisconsin | Muskellunge | Esox masquinongy | 1955 |
| Wyoming | Cutthroat trout | Oncorhynchus clarkii | 1987 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fish is the most common state fish?
While there is no single official count, the Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) appears as a state fish for a high number of states, including Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Do all U.S. states have an official state fish?
No. Some states, such as Indiana and Iowa, do not currently have a recognized official state fish.
Can a state have more than one state fish?
Yes. Several states recognize multiple fish, often distinguishing between freshwater and saltwater species. For example, Alabama recognizes both the Largemouth bass and the Fighting tarpon.
What is the difference between a freshwater and saltwater state fish?
A freshwater state fish is a species that lives in inland bodies of water like lakes and rivers, whereas a saltwater state fish lives in marine environments like oceans and coastal estuaries.
What is the scientific name for a fish?
A scientific name is a formal, two-part name used by biologists to identify a species uniquely, such as Micropterus salmoides for the Largemouth bass. This ensures clarity across different languages and regions.