List of fishes of Arkansas facts for kids

Arkansas is a state with many different kinds of freshwater fish. You can find them swimming in its rivers, lakes, and streams. These fish are divided into two main groups: sport fish, which people often catch for fun, and non-sport fish.

Sport Fish

Sport fish are popular for fishing in Arkansas. Many different types live in the state's waters.

Bass Family

The bass family includes some of the most popular fish for anglers.

Black Bass

These fish are native to Arkansas, meaning they naturally live here.

• Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides
• Smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu
• Spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus

Temperate Bass

Some temperate bass are native, while others were brought to Arkansas from different places.

• Native species:
  • White bass, Morone chrysops
  • Yellow bass, Morone mississippiensis
• Non-native species:
  • Striped bass, Morone saxatilis
  • Hybrid striped bass, Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis (a mix of two types of bass)

Carp Family

Carps are generally non-native fish in Arkansas. This means they were introduced to the state's waters.

• Bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
• Common carp, Cyprinus carpio
• Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella
• Silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Catfish Family

North American catfish are well-known for their "whiskers," which are actually feelers called barbels. All these types are native to Arkansas.

• Blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus
• Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
• Flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris

Pike Family

Pikes are long, slender fish. Some are native to Arkansas, and some are not.

• Native species:
  • Chain pickerel, Esox niger
  • American pickerel, Esox americanus vermiculatus
• Non-native species:
  • Muskellunge, Esox masquinongy
  • Northern pike, Esox lucius

Sunfish Family

The sunfish family includes many colorful and common fish found in Arkansas. All these species are native.

• Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus
• Green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus
• Longear sunfish, Lepomis megalotus
• Flier, Centrarchus macropterus
• Redear sunfish, Lepomis microlophus
• Orangespotted sunfish, Lepomis humilis
• Warmouth, Lepomis gulosus
• Redspotted sunfish, Lepomis miniatus
• Black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus
• White crappie, Pomoxis annularis

Trout Family

Trouts are popular sport fish, but the types found in Arkansas are not native. They were brought here from other places.

• Brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis
• Brown trout, Salmo trutta
• Cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii
• Lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush
• Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
• Tiger trout, Salmo trutta × Salvelinus fontinalis (a mix of brown and brook trout)

Non-Sport Fish

These fish are also important parts of Arkansas's waterways, even if they are not typically caught for sport.

Bowfin

The Bowfin, Amia calva, is a native fish in Arkansas. It is often called a grinnel in the state.

Gar Family

Gars are ancient fish with long bodies and sharp teeth. All these types are native to Arkansas.

• Alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula
• Spotted gar, Lepisosteus oculatus
• Longnose gar, Lepisosteus osseus
• Shortnose gar, Lepisosteus platostomus

Minnow Family

Minnows are generally small fish, and Arkansas has many native kinds. One non-native minnow, the goldfish, can also be found.

• Native species (a few examples from many types):
  • Bigeye chub, Hybopsis amblops
  • Emerald shiner, Notropis atherinoides
  • Golden shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas
  • Red shiner, Cyprinella lutrensis
  • Arkansas River shiner, Notropis girardi
• Non-native species:
  • Goldfish, Carassius auratus

Paddlefish

The American paddlefish, Polydon spathula, is a unique native fish with a long, paddle-shaped snout.

Sturgeon Family

Sturgeons are very large, ancient fish. The three types found in Arkansas are native but are not common. Two of these species are even considered endangered across the country.

• Lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens
• Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus
• Pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus
• Shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

The lake sturgeon is usually found further north, so Arkansas is at the southern edge of its home range. Pallid and shovelnose sturgeon live in big, muddy rivers like the lower Arkansas, Mississippi, and lower White rivers.

Eel Family

The American eel, Anguilla rostrata, is a native species known for its long, snake-like body.

Herring Family

Herrings are native fish that often swim in schools.

• Alabama shad, Alosa alabamae
• Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris
• Gizzard shad, Dorosoma cepedianum
• Threadfin shad, Dorosoma petenense

Lamprey Family

Lampreys are unusual, jawless fish. Most types in Arkansas are native, but one is not.

• Native species:
  • Chestnut lamprey, Ichthyomyzon castaneus
  • Southern brook lamprey, Ichthyomyzon gagei
  • Silver lamprey, ichthyomyzon unicuspis
  • Least brook lamprey, Lampetra aepyptera
  • American brook lamprey, Lenthenteron appendix
• Non-native species:
  • Sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

Mudminnow

The Central mudminnow, Umbra limi, is a small, native fish.

Smelt Family

The Rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax, is a native fish found in Arkansas.

Mooneye Family

Mooneyes are native fish with large eyes.

• Goldeye, Hiodon alosoides
• Mooneye, Hiodon tergisus

See also

• List of Arkansas Wildlife Management Areas
• Water in Arkansas