List of fishes of West Virginia facts for kids

West Virginia is home to many different kinds of fish that live in its rivers, lakes, and streams. About 20% of these fish are popular for sportfishing, which means people like to catch them for fun. The other 80% are not usually caught for sport.

Where West Virginia Fish Live

Fish in West Virginia live in different river systems. Here's a quick guide to what the letters mean next to each fish name:

Some of these fish species are facing challenges. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) keeps track of how many of each species are left. In West Virginia, one fish species is critically endangered (meaning it's very close to disappearing forever), one is endangered (also at high risk), five are vulnerable (meaning they could become endangered), and three are near-threatened (meaning they might be at risk in the future).

Types of Fish in West Virginia

There are many different types of fish in West Virginia, grouped by their scientific families.

Lampreys (Petromyzontiformes)

These are ancient, eel-like fish without jaws. Family Petromyzontidae (Northern Lampreys)

• Ohio lamprey (Ichthyomyzon bdellium) O, rare
• Northern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor) O, rare
• Mountain brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon greeleyi) O, rare
• Silver lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) O, rare
• Least brook lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera) O,N
• American brook lamprey (Lethenteron appendix) O, rare

Sturgeons and Paddlefish (Acipenseriformes)

These are very old and large fish. Family Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)

• Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) O, extinct in West Virginia (meaning they no longer live here)
• Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) O

Family Polyodontidae (Paddlefishes)

• American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) O, rare

Gars (Lepisosteiformes)

Gars are long, slender fish with hard scales. Family Lepisosteidae (Gars)

• Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) O

Bowfin (Amiiformes)

The bowfin is a unique fish that can breathe air. Family Amiidae (Bowfin)

• Bowfin (Amia calva) O, rare

Mooneyes (Hiodontiformes)

These fish have large, silvery eyes. Family Hiodontidae (Mooneyes)

• Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) O, rare
• Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) O

Eels (Anguilliformes)

Eels are long, snake-like fish. Family Anguillidae (Freshwater Eels)

• American eel (Anguilla rostrata) O,N,P

Herrings and Relatives (Clupeiformes)

This group includes fish like shads. Family Clupeidae (Herrings, Shads, and Relatives)

• Skipjack shad (Alosa chrysochloris) O
• Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) O,N,P
• American gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) O
• Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) O

Carps, Minnows, and Relatives (Cypriniformes)

This is a very large group of fish. Family Cyprinidae (Carps, True Minnows, and Relatives)

• Central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) O,N,P,J
• Goldfish (Carassius auratus) O,N,P, introduced (meaning brought here by people)
• Redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) O, rare
• Rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides) O,N,P,J
• Satinfin shiner (Cyprinella analostana) P, rare
• Whitetail shiner (Cyprinella galactura) O,N
• Spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) O,N,P
• Steelcolor shiner (Cyprinella whipplei) O
• Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) O,N,P, introduced
• Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) O,N,P
• Bighead carp (Hypopthalmichthys nobilis) O
• Streamline chub (Erimystax dissimilis) O,N
• Tonguetied minnow (Exoglossum laurae) O,N, rare
• Cutlips minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua) N,P,J
• Eastern silvery minnow (Hybognathus regius) P, rare
• Mississippi silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis) O, extinct in West Virginia
• Bigeye chub (Hybopsis amblops) O
• White shiner (Luxilus albeolus) O,N
• Striped shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus) O,N,P
• Common shiner (Luxilus cornutus) O,P,J
• Rosefin shiner (Lythrurus ardens) J, rare
• Scarlet shiner (Lythrurus fasciolaris) O, rare
• Redfin shiner (Lythrurus umbratilis) O
• Shoal chub (Macrhybopsis hyostoma) O
• Silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana) O
• Allegheny pearl dace (Margariscus margarita) O,P, rare
• Hornyhead chub (Nocomis biguttatus) O, extinct in West Virginia
• Bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) N,P,J
• River chub (Nocomis micropogon) O,P,J
• Bigmouth chub (Nocomis platyrhynchus) N
• Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) O,N,P,J
• Comely shiner (Notropis amoenus) P
• Popeye shiner (Notropis ariommus) O, rare
• Emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) O,N,P
• River shiner (Notropis blennius) O
• Bigeye shiner (Notropis boops) O, rare
• Ghost shiner (Notropis buchanani) O
• Bigmouth shiner (Notropis dorsalis) O, extinct in West Virginia
• Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) O,N,P
• Sand shiner (Notropis stramineus) O,N
• Silver shiner (Notropis photogenis) O,N
• Swallowtail shiner (Notropis procne) P
• Rosyface shiner (Notropis rubellus) O,N,P,J
• New River shiner (Notropis scabriceps) N, rare
• Telescope shiner (Notropis telescopus) O,N,J
• Mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus) O,N,P
• Channel shiner (Notropis wickliffi) O
• Silverjaw minnow (Ericymba buccata) O,N,P
• Pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) O, extinct in West Virginia
• Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) O
• Kanawha minnow (Phenacobius teretulus) N, rare
• Southern redbelly dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster) O
• Mountain redbelly dace (Chrosomus oreas) O,N,J
• Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) O,N,P
• Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) O,N,P
• Bullhead minnow (Pimephales vigilax) O, rare
• Eastern blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) O,P,J
• Western blacknose dace (Rhinichthys obtusus) O,N
• Cheat minnow (Pararhinichthys bowersi) O, rare
• Longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) O,N,P,J
• Common rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) N
• Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) O,N,P,J
• Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) P

Family Catostomidae (Suckers)

• River carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) O
• Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) O
• Highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer) O, rare
• Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) O, extinct in West Virginia
• White sucker (Catostomus commersonii) O,N,P,J
• Blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) O, rare
• Creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) P
• Northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans) O,N,P,J
• Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) O
• Bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) O, rare
• Black buffalo (Ictiobus niger) O, rare
• Spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops) O
• Silver redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) O
• River redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) O
• Black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei) O
• Golden redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) O,N,P
• Smallmouth redhorse (Moxostoma breviceps) O
• Shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) P, rare
• Torrent sucker (Thoburnia rhothoeca) N,P

Catfishes (Siluriformes)

Catfish are known for their "whiskers" called barbels. Family Ictaluridae (Ictalurid Catfishes)

• White bullhead (Ameiurus catus) O
• Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) O,N
• Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) O,N,P
• Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) O,N,P
• Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) O
• Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) O,N,P
• Mountain madtom (Noturus eleutherus) O, rare
• Stonecat (Noturus flavus) O,N
• Margined madtom (Noturus insignis) O,N,P,J
• Brindled madtom (Noturus miurus) O
• Northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus) O, rare
• Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) O,N

Pikes and Mudminnows (Esociformes)

Pikes are long, predatory fish. Family Esocidae (Pikes)

• Redfin pickerel (Esox a. americanus) O,P, rare
• Grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) O, rare
• Northern pike (Esox lucius) O,P
• Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) O,N,P
• Tiger muskellunge (Esox masquinongy x lucius) O,N,P
• Chain pickerel (Esox niger) O,N,P

Family Umbridae (Mudminnows)

• Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) O

Trout (Salmoniformes)

Trout are popular sportfish, often found in colder waters. Family Salmonidae (Trout)

• Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) P, introduced
• Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) O,N,P,J, introduced
• Brown trout (Salmo trutta) O,N,J,P, introduced
• Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) O,N,J,P

Trout-perch (Percopsiformes)

• Trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) O

Toothcarps (Cyprinodontiformes)

This group includes small fish like topminnows. Family Fundulidae (Topminnows)

• Northern studfish (Fundulus catenatus) O
• Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) O,P, rare
• Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) P

Family Poeciliidae (Livebearers)

• Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) O,N,P

Silversides (Atheriniformes)

These fish are slender and often have a silvery stripe. Family Atherinopsidae (Neotropical Silversides)

• Brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus) O,N,P

Sticklebacks (Gasterosteiformes)

Sticklebacks are small fish with sharp spines. Family Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks)

• Brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) O

Sculpins (Scorpaeniformes)

Sculpins are bottom-dwelling fish with large heads. Family Cottidae (Sculpins)

• Mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) O,N,J
• Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) P,J
• Slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) P, rare
• Potomac sculpin (Cottus girardi) P
• Kanawha sculpin (Cottus kanawhae) N, rare
• Bluestone sculpin (Cottus sp.) N

Sunfishes and Perches (Perciformes)

This is a very diverse group, including many popular sportfish. Family Moronidae (Temperate Basses)

• White perch (Morone americana) O
• White bass (Morone chrysops) O,N
• Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) O,N
• Hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x saxatilis) O

Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)

• Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) O,N,J,P
• Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) O,N,J,P
• Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) O,N,J,P
• Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) O,N,J,P
• Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) O,P
• Orangespotted sunfish (Lepomis humilis) O
• Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) O,N,J,P
• Longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) O,N,P
• Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) O
• Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) O,N,J,P
• Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) O,N
• Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) O,N,J,P
• White crappie (Pomoxis annularis) O,N,P
• Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) O,N,P

Family Percidae (Perches, Darters, and Relatives)

• Eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) O
• Western sand darter (Ammocrypta clara) O, rare
• Diamond darter (Crystallaria cincotta) O, rare
• Greenside darter (Etheostoma blennioides) O,N,P
• Rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) O,N,P
• Bluebreast darter (Etheostoma camurum) O
• Fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare) O,N,P,J
• Longfin darter (Etheostoma longimanum) J, rare
• Spotted darter (Etheostoma maculatum) O, rare
• Johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum) O,N,J
• Tessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi) P
• Candy darter (Etheostoma osburni) N, rare
• Snubnose darter (Etheostoma simoterum) N
• Tippecanoe darter (Etheostoma tippecanoe) O
• Variegate darter (Etheostoma variatum) O,N
• Banded darter (Etheostoma zonale) O
• Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) O,N,P
• Common logperch (Percina caprodes) O,N
• Channel darter (Percina copelandi) O
• Gilt darter (Percina evides) O, rare
• Appalachia darter (Percina gymnocephala) N, rare
• Longhead darter (Percina macrocephala) O, rare
• Blackside darter (Percina maculata) O,N
• Stripeback darter (Percina notogramma) J, rare
• Sharpnose darter (Percina oxyrhynchus) O,N
• Shield darter (Percina peltata) P
• Slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala) O
• Roanoke darter (Percina roanoka) N
• Dusky darter (Percina sciera) O
• River darter (Percina shumardi) O, rare
• Sauger (Sander canadensis) O
• Walleye (Sander vitreus) O,N,P
• Saugeye (Sander canadensis x vitreus) O

Family Sciaenidae (Drums)

• Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) O

Fish Reproduction and Spawning Temperatures

Fish need specific water temperatures to lay their eggs, a process called spawning. This section shows the range of temperatures different fish prefer for spawning.

Spawning Temperature Chart

Spawning Temperature Data Table

See also

• West Virginia State Wildlife Center, a small zoo featuring native West Virginia animals
• Fauna of West Virginia
• List of West Virginia wildlife management areas