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List of freshwater fishes of Washington facts for kids

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This article is about the amazing freshwater fish you can find in Washington State! Scientists have listed 67 different kinds of fish, including species, subspecies, and even some hybrids (a mix of two different types). Out of these, 37 are native, meaning they naturally live here, and 30 have been introduced by people.

Some of these fish are called anadromous species. This means they live most of their lives in the ocean but swim into freshwater rivers and lakes to lay their eggs. You might even find a few fish that usually live in the ocean, like the starry flounder and shiner perch, sometimes hanging out in freshwater too!

Only one fish, the Olympic mudminnow, is truly special because it's an endemic species. This means it's found only in Washington and nowhere else in the world! A few other fish, like the Nooksack dace, Salish sucker, and margined sculpin, are also very rare and live in only a few places outside of Washington.

Scientists like Wydoski and Whitney (who wrote a book in 2003) and Behnke (who helped name trout in 2002) have helped us learn about these fish. If you see an asterisk (*) next to a fish's name, it means that fish was introduced to Washington, not originally from here.

Fish with No Jaws (Lampreys)

Family Petromyzontidae (Lampreys)

These are ancient fish that don't have jaws. They have a round, sucking mouth.

  • Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus
  • Western river lamprey, Lampetra ayresi
  • Western brook lamprey, Lampetra richardsoni

Fish with Cartilage Skeletons (Sturgeons)

Family Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)

Sturgeons are very large, ancient fish with skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone.

  • Green sturgeon, Acipenser medirostris
  • White sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus

Herring-like Fish

Family Clupeidae (Herrings and Shads)

This family includes fish often found in schools, like herring and shad.

Minnows and Suckers

Family Catostomidae (Suckers)

Suckers are fish with thick, fleshy lips that they use to suck up food from the bottom of rivers and lakes.

Family Cobitidae (Loaches)

Loaches are slender, bottom-dwelling fish.

  • Weatherfish*, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Family Cyprinidae (Minnows and Carps)

This is a very large family of fish, including many common minnows and carps.

Toothcarps and Livebearers

Family Fundulidae (Topminnows)

These are small fish often found near the surface of the water.

Family Poeciliidae (Livebearers)

This family includes fish that give birth to live young, not eggs.

Pikes and Mudminnows

Family Esocidae (Pikes)

Pikes are long, slender fish known for being good predators.

  • Grass pickerel*,Esox americanus vermiculatus
  • Northern pike*, Esox lucius
  • Tiger muskellunge*, E. lucius x E. masquinongy hybrid

Perch-like Fish

Family Centrarchidae (Sunfish and Bass)

This family includes many popular sport fish like bass and sunfish.

Family Embiotocidae (Surfperches)

These fish are usually found in saltwater, but the shiner perch can sometimes be in freshwater.

  • Shiner perch, Cymatogaster aggregata

Family Percidae (Perches)

This family includes popular fish like perch and walleye.

Family Moronidae (Temperate Basses)

This family includes striped bass, known for their strong fighting ability.

Trout-Perches

Family Percopsidae (Trout-Perches)

These fish have features of both trout and perch.

  • Sand roller, Percopsis transmontanus

Cod-like Fish

Family Gadidae (Cods)

This family includes cod and burbot, which is a freshwater cod.

Sticklebacks

Family Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks)

Sticklebacks are small fish known for their sharp spines.

Smelts

Family Osmeridae (Smelts)

Smelts are small, silvery fish that often live in both fresh and salt water.

Flatfish

Family Pleuronectidae (Righteye Flounders)

These are flat fish that lie on their side. The starry flounder can sometimes be found in freshwater.

Salmon and Trout

Family Salmonidae (Salmon, Trout, and Whitefish)

This is a very important family in Washington, including many famous salmon and trout species.

Sculpins

Family Cottidae (Sculpins)

Sculpins are bottom-dwelling fish with large heads and spiny fins.

Catfish

Family Ictaluridae (North American Catfish)

Catfish are known for their "whiskers" called barbels around their mouths.

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List of freshwater fishes of Washington Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.