What Ohio Fish Are You?

Green sunfish [Lepomis cyanellus] are known to be aggressive and prefer to swim alone. They are very tolerant of poor water quality and are the only sunfish to be found in very muddy water. They feed on aquatic insect larvae, insects that fall on the surface of the water, snails, crayfish, and some small fish. They can be identified by their unique pattern and coloration. Green sunfish are in the family Centrarchidae. In Ohio, they can be found throughout the state!

Northern hogsuckers [Hypentelium nigricans] are typically found in clear streams with clean substrate free of silt. They prefer fast moving riffles during warmer months and pools during colder months. They use their mouth to overturn rocks and stir up the sediment to feed on aquatic insects and other invertebrates. Northern hogsuckers are in the family Catostomidae. They can be found throughout Ohio, as they are fairly common!

Spotted bass [Micropterus punctulatus] prefer habitat in deep pools and avoid shallow, heavily vegetated waters. They feed primarily on crayfish and other large aquatic invertebrates, but they will also eat small fish and flying insects that fall onto the water's surface. They can be distinguished from other bass species by their unique spot pattern. Spotted bass are in the family Centrarchidae. They are most common in the Ohio River, but can also be found in larger tributaries such as the Scioto, Muskingum, and Hocking Rivers, as well as larger southern Ohio Reservoirs!

Rainbow darters [Etheostoma caeruleum] prefer riffles in small to medium sized streams. They feed on a variety of aquatic insect larvae. They are known to be the most colorful species of fish in Ohio. Rainbow darters are in the Percidae family. They can be found throughout the state, as they are one of the most widespread darter species!

Channel catfish [Ictalurus punctatus] prefer areas with deep water, clean gravel or boulder substrates, but they can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. They are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of items including insect larvae, crayfish, mollusks, fish, and some types of fruits and berries. Channel catfish are in the Ictaluridae family. They can be found throughout Ohio in large streams, rivers, and lakes!

Brook silverside [Labidesthes sicculus] form large schools that are active during the day. They are generally found in clear, slow moving streams and are not tolerant of muddy water. They eat micro-crustaceans, insect larvae, and small flying insects on the water's surface with their specialized mouth. Brook silverside are in the Atherinopsidae family. They can be found across the state!

River redhorse [Moxostoma carinatum] are typically found in deep pools of clean water. They are very intolerant of pollution and muddy water and are indicators of a healthy environment. They feed on larval insects, small mollusks, snails, and other aquatic invertebrates. They are also the largest of seven species of redhorse suckers found in Ohio. River redhorse are in the Catostomidae family. They can be found in only the largest rivers of the Ohio and Lake Erie drainage systems!

Northern pike [Esox lucius] prefer clear water with dense cover in the form of aquatic vegetation or logs and tree limbs. They feed mostly on fish, but will take nearly anything they can fit in their mouth, including frogs, muskrats, and small ducks. Northern pike are in the Esocidae family. They are mostly found in the western basin of Lake Erie, but can also be found in Ohio's larger river systems!