List of fishes of Indiana facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Indiana is a state in the United States that's home to over 200 different kinds of fish! These fish live in Indiana's many rivers, lakes, and streams. Indiana actually has more fish species than any other state north of the Ohio River, including fish found in the Great Lakes.

Fish That Call Indiana Home

Many types of fish naturally live in Indiana. We call these "native" fish. Scientists keep track of how many of each fish species there are and if they are in danger. They use a system from an organization called IUCN. Here's what some of their terms mean:

Critically Endangered: These fish are in extreme danger of disappearing forever.
Endangered: These fish are also at high risk of becoming extinct.
Vulnerable: These fish might become endangered if we don't protect them.
Near-Threatened: These fish could become vulnerable in the future.
Least Concern: These fish are doing well and are not currently at risk.

Let's explore some of the cool native fish you might find in Indiana's waters!

Lampreys: Ancient Fish

Lampreys are really old types of fish. They look a bit like eels and don't have jaws like most fish. Instead, they have a round, sucking mouth.

Chestnut Lamprey (Icthyomyzon castaneus)
Northern Brook Lamprey (Icthyomyzon fossor)
American Brook Lamprey (Lampetra appendix)

Sturgeons and Paddlefish: Big and Unique

These are some of the largest and most interesting fish in Indiana. They have unique body shapes and can live for a very long time.

Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens): This huge fish can grow over six feet long and live for more than 100 years!
Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus): This sturgeon has a flat, shovel-like snout.
American Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula): The paddlefish has a very long, paddle-shaped snout that it uses to find food.

Bowfin: A Living Fossil

The Bowfin is often called a "living fossil" because it looks very similar to its ancient ancestors. It's a tough fish that can breathe air!

Bowfin (Amia calva)

Mooneyes: Big Eyes, Shiny Bodies

Mooneyes are known for their large, shiny eyes. They often live in clear, open waters.

Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides)
Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus)

Eels: Snake-like Swimmers

Eels have long, snake-like bodies. The American Eel is a fascinating fish that travels long distances to reproduce.

American Eel (Anguilla rostrata): This eel travels all the way to the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean to lay its eggs!

Carps, Minnows, and Their Relatives

This is a very large group of fish, including many small ones you might see in streams. They are important food sources for other animals.

Southern Redbelly Dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster)
Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)
Emerald Shiner (Notropis atherinoides)
Bluntnose Minnow (Pimphales notalus)
White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii)
Blue Sucker (Cycleptus elongatus)

Catfishes: Whiskered Wonders

Catfishes are easy to spot because of their "whiskers," which are called barbels. They use these to feel and taste in murky water.

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus): A very large catfish, popular for fishing.
Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus): Another common and popular catfish.
Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas)
Yellow Bullhead (Ameirus natalis)
Flathead Catfish (Pylodicitis olivaris): This catfish has a flat head and a wide mouth.

Pikes and Mudminnows: Speedy Hunters

Pikes are known for being fierce predators with long, slender bodies and sharp teeth.

Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy): Often called "muskie," this is a prized game fish.
Northern Pike (Esox lucius): Another large, predatory fish.

Salmon, Trout, and Chars: Cold Water Fish

These fish usually prefer colder, clearer waters. Many are popular for sport fishing.

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

Toothcarps: Small and Mighty

Toothcarps are generally small fish. Some are popular in aquariums, but these are native to Indiana's wild waters.

Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus)
Northern Studfish (Fundulus catenatus)

Mail-Cheeked Fishes: Armored Heads

These fish have bony plates on their heads, making them "mail-cheeked." Sculpins are small fish that live on the bottom of streams.

Banded Sculpin (Cottus carolinae)
Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii)
Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus)

Sunfishes and Perches: Popular and Colorful

This group includes many fish that anglers love to catch, like bass and crappie. They are often colorful and fun to watch.

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus): A very common and well-known sunfish.
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides): One of the most popular sport fish in North America.
Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
Walleye (Sander vitreus): A popular fish known for its good taste.
Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens): A common and tasty fish.
Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum): A small, colorful fish found in clear streams.
White Bass (Morone chrysops)

Gobies: Bottom Dwellers

Gobies are small fish that often live on the bottom of lakes and rivers.

Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

Fish From Other Places

Some fish found in Indiana are not native. This means they were brought here from other places, sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose. We call these "exotic" or "introduced" species. Sometimes, these fish can cause problems for the native fish and their habitats.

Lamprey

Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus): This lamprey is an invasive species in the Great Lakes, meaning it can harm native fish populations.

Herring

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus): Another species that has been introduced to the Great Lakes.

Carps, Minnows, and Relatives

Many types of carp have been introduced to Indiana's waters. Some, like the Asian carp species, are considered very harmful to the environment.

Goldfish (Carassius auratus): Yes, the same goldfish you might have as a pet!
Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix): Known for jumping out of the water when startled.
Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)

Catfish

White Catfish (Ameiurus catus)

Salmon, Trout, Chars

Some salmon and trout species are stocked in Indiana waters for fishing, even if they aren't originally from here.

Coho Salmon (Oncorhyncus kitsutch)
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss): A very popular fish for sport fishing.

Silversides

Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina)

Mullets

Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus)

Sticklebacks

Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Sunfishes and Perches

White Perch (Morone americana)
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)

Gobies

Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus): This fish is also an invasive species that can outcompete native fish for food.

Images for kids

Chestnut Lamprey
Northern Brook Lamprey
American Brook Lamprey
Lake Sturgeon
Shovelnose Sturgeon
American Paddlefish
Bowfin
Goldeye
Mooneye
American Eel
Southern Redbelly Dace
Gizzard Shad
Bigeye Chub
Golden Shiner
Striped Shiner
Silverjaw Minnow
Shoal Chub
Emerald Shiner
Ghost Shiner
Ironcolor Shiner
Rosyface Shiner
Mimic Shiner
Popeye Shiner
Suckermouth Minnow
Bluntnose Minnow
Pugnose Minnow
Fathead Minnow
Bullhead Minnow
Western Blacknose Dace
Longnose Dace
White Sucker
Blue Sucker
Bigmouth Buffalo
Smallmouth Buffalo
Black Buffalo
Spotted Sucker
River Redhorse
Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Black Bullhead
Yellow Bullhead
Stonecat
Flathead Catfish
Muskellunge
Northern Pike
Chinook Salmon
Atlantic Salmon
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Lake Trout
Banded Killifish
Northern Studfish
Banded Sculpin
Mottled Sculpin
Slimy Sculpin
Deepwater Sculpin
Green Sunfish
Orangespotted Sunfish
Bluegill
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Walleye
Sauger
Yellow Perch
Logperch
Channel Darter
Gilt Darter
Dusky Darter
River Darter
Tippecanoe Darter
Spottail Darter
Banded Darter
Johnny Darter
Iowa Darter
Eastern Sand Darter
Mud Darter
Rainbow Darter
Fantail Darter
Harlequin Darter
Least Darter
Bluebreast Darter
Orangethroat Darter
Variegate Darter
Yellow Bass
White Bass
Round Goby
Sea Lamprey
Alewife
Threadfin Shad
Goldfish
Red Shiner
Silver Carp
White Catfish
Rainbow Smelt
Coho Salmon
Rainbow Trout
Inland Silverside
Striped Mullet
Threespine Stickleback
White Perch
Striped Bass

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List of fishes of Indiana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.