List of fish of Montana Facts for Kids

Montana is a state famous for its beautiful rivers and lakes, which are home to many different kinds of fish! You can find at least 31 types of game fish (fish people like to catch for sport) and 59 types of non-game fish here. Some of Montana's fish are even listed as endangered or threatened, meaning they need special protection to survive. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks also keeps an eye on other species that might be in trouble.

This article will help you learn about some of the cool fish that live in Montana, whether they are native (meaning they naturally live there) or non-native (meaning they were brought there by people).

Game Fish: Fun to Catch!
- Trout and Salmon
- Paddlefish
- Pike
- Bass and Sunfish
- Perch
- Catfish
- Sturgeon
- Burbot
Non-Game Fish: Important for the Ecosystem
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See also

Game Fish: Fun to Catch!

Game fish are popular for fishing because they are often big, strong, or tasty. Here are some of the main types you can find in Montana:

Trout and Salmon

Bull trout

Trout and salmon are some of the most famous fish in Montana's waters. They are known for being strong swimmers and beautiful to look at.

Native Trout:
- The Westslope cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi, is a special fish to Montana. It's even called Pisɫ by the Salish people.
- The Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri, is another native species, often found in the eastern parts of the state.
- Bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, are large, powerful native fish. The Salish call them Aáy or Ɫaʔáy, and the Kutenai call them Tuhuǂ. They are a threatened species, so they are protected.
- The Montana Arctic grayling, Thymallus arcticus montanus, is a unique native fish with a large, colorful dorsal fin.
- Mountain whitefish, Prosopium williamsoni, are also native and are often found in cold, clear mountain streams. The Salish call them X̣ʷy̓u.

Non-Native Trout:
- Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, are very popular for fishing and were brought to Montana from other places.
- Brown trout, Salmo trutta, are another common non-native species, known for being a bit tricky to catch.
- Brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, are smaller, colorful trout that were also introduced to Montana.
- Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and Kokanee salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, are types of salmon that have been introduced into some Montana lakes.

Paddlefish

The Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, is a truly unique native fish! It has a very long, paddle-shaped snout that it uses to find food. These fish can grow to be very large.

Pike

Pike are known as "ambush predators" because they hide and then quickly attack their prey.

Northern pike, Esox lucius, are a non-native species in Montana. They are popular with anglers because they can grow quite large and put up a good fight.
The Tiger muskellunge, Esox masquinongy × lucius, is a hybrid fish (a mix of two different species) that was introduced.

Bass and Sunfish

Black crappie

These fish are often found in warmer, slower-moving waters.

Black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, and White crappie, Pomoxis annularis, are non-native species that are fun to catch and good to eat.
Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, and Smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, are also non-native and are very popular sport fish.

Perch

Yellow perch

The Sauger, Sander canadensis, is a native perch species found in some of Montana's rivers.
Yellow perch, Perca flavescens, are a common non-native fish, easily recognized by their yellow bodies and dark stripes.
Walleye, Sander vitreus, are another popular non-native game fish, known for their tasty meat.

Catfish

The Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is a native species in Montana. These fish have long whiskers, called barbels, around their mouths.

Sturgeon

Sturgeon are ancient fish that can live a very long time and grow to enormous sizes.

The Pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus, is a critically endangered native species. It's very rare and protected.
Shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, and White sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus, are also native sturgeon species found in Montana.

Burbot

Burbot

The Burbot, Lota lota, is a native fish that looks a bit like a catfish and a cod mixed together. It's unique because it's the only freshwater member of the cod family.

Non-Game Fish: Important for the Ecosystem

Non-game fish might not be caught for sport as often, but they are incredibly important for the health of Montana's aquatic environments. They serve as food for other animals and help keep the ecosystem balanced.

Bass and Sunfish (Non-Game)

Bluegill

Some smaller sunfish, like the non-native Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, Green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus, and Pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus, are also found in Montana. They are often seen in ponds and slow-moving waters.

Catfish (Non-Game)

Yellow bullhead

The Stonecat, Noturus flavus, is a small native catfish.
Non-native bullheads, like the Black bullhead, Ameiurus melas, and Yellow bullhead, Ameiurus natalis, are common in muddy waters.

Minnows

Sand shiner

Minnows are a very diverse group of fish, and many different kinds live in Montana. They are usually small and play a big role in the food chain.

Native Minnows: Examples include the Fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, Longnose dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, and Sand shiner, Notropis stramineus.
Non-Native Minnows: Some well-known non-native minnows are the Goldfish, Carassius auratus, and the Common carp, Cyprinus carpio. These were introduced by people and can sometimes cause problems for native fish.

Suckers

White sucker

Suckers are native fish named for their mouths, which are shaped like a suction cup, perfect for feeding on the bottom of rivers and lakes.

Common native suckers include the White sucker, Catostomus commersoni, Longnose sucker, Catostomus catostomus, and Mountain sucker, Catostomus platyrhynchus.