Because of its diverse geography, the United States is rich in hundreds of species of game fish related to both types of fish, from freshwater flounder and panfish to marine speedsters like wahoo and tuna. In this article, we’ll talk about the seven most popular game fish in the U.S. Because fish vary in size, feeding behavior, and habitats, we also talk about the art of fishing and catching methods that each species requires.
Black Bass
When anglers say freshwater fishing in the US, they think of bass. Bass are the most sought after sport fish in North America for several reasons. Most importantly, you don’t need specialized bass fishing equipment or an immense amount of skill, making it one of the most beginner-friendly freshwater fish species. But while it’s easy to get into bass fishing, actually landing this aggressive predatory fish is one hell of a challenge.
The United States is home to several species of bass that fall into one of two categories: black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) and temperate bass (stripped, white, yellow).
The bass probably gets the most attention from anglers; just look at how many bass fishing tournaments are held annually. This species inhabits lakes, streams, rivers, and vegetated ponds in the contiguous United States, except in the central region.
Although largemouth are considered a warm water species, they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures quite well: temperatures between 50 and 85ºF do not affect their behavior. In most cases, largemouths stay shallow and don’t sink deeper than 12-15 feet. However, depth adjustments should always be made with the season, water purity and depth of the water body in mind. Experts recommend adding several feet of depth when fishing in the winter or on a clear lake in warm weather.
The average weight of largemouth bass is between 1 and 5 pounds, but the world record bass was caught at 22 pounds.
To catch the best freshwater fish, you generally need a 6-7 foot long, fast-acting, medium-powered rod or bait rod.
Catfish
Catfish are prized for their wide distribution, excellent fighting skills and relative simplicity to hook, and are considered one of the best freshwater fish to eat. Like black bass, catfish are great fish for beginners, but you still need the best rod and reel and the know how to catch them.
In the United States, there are three main species of this whiskered predator: the blue catfish, the flathead, and the channel catfish. All three inhabit the bottom, found in lakes, reservoirs and rivers, and can tolerate murky water due to their developed senses of smell and taste.
Growing to over 150 pounds, blue catfish present the greatest fighting challenge and the greatest trophy-catching potential. Most of the “blues” are found in the eastern, southeastern, and south-central regions: key sites are the Mississippi River, the Red River in Minnesota, and the Rio Grande River Basin. It generally likes deep water and running currents.
The best time to catch blues is late March to early May or February to March in Texas, but anglers see them in action year-round.
Flatheads that grow to 100 pounds and channel cats, the most numerous catfish in North America, are also very popular with anglers.
Tortilla
Trout fishing presents a great attraction to both American anglers and fly anglers. It’s a small wonder, as these beautiful fish are incredibly fun to catch and taste very nice.
The United States is home to a dozen species of trout, including native, invasive and introduced. Rainbow trout are the most sought-after trout in North America, in part because of their striking appearance. Fun fact: Once rainbow trout leave freshwater streams after spawning and enter the ocean, they lose the light pink stripe on their side and become steelhead trout.
Although native to the North Pacific coast and preferring colder waters, rainbow trout have been introduced beyond this range and are stocked throughout the United States annually. Look for it in fast-moving rivers and equip yourself with an ultra-light, fast-acting rod 7 feet long, as most people go up to 8 pounds.
Other popular trout species include the cutthroat trout found in abundance in the western half of the US, the lake trout that reside in the deep waters of the north, and the brook trout native to the Northeast region.
Salmon
Salmon, a cousin of the trout, are a more popular game fish family among fly fishermen, but you can also use a spinning rod and reel.
All North American salmon species fall into two groups. Pacific salmon includes Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, Pink, and Chum, while the Atlantic coast has only one species: Atlantic salmon. All salmon are anadromous. They live in the ocean until they are ready to spawn and then migrate to rivers and streams.
Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, is the largest species of the six, averaging 20-25 pounds. Although native to the deep waters of the Pacific, occurring from northern Alaska to southern California, it can also be found in the Great Lakes, where it was introduced.
Red Drum
Red drum, also known as redfish, is one of the best saltwater fish known for its super tasty meat and beautiful reddish-bronze skin. Found along the Gulf Coast from Massachusetts to Florida to Texas, it thrives in shallow water (1 to 4 feet deep) on all bottom types, preferring bays with submerged vegetation or mud reefs and soft oysters. Sometimes they swim in such shallow water that their backs are exposed, and the so-called goosetail occurs while feeding. However, you can also fish for redfish in deeper coastal waters (up to 130 feet).
Redfish grow quickly, typically reaching 6-8 pounds by three years. The record red drum weighed 94 pounds.
While a 6-7 foot medium action spinning rod is a common tool, red drum fly fishing is becoming more and more popular. The species is also peculiar for its willingness to take both artificial and natural baits.
Crappie
Crappie is another beginner friendly fish. It’s easy to hook and it’s small, but don’t expect it to give up easily – regardless of size, crappie have a reputation for fighting hard. It is also one of the best tasting freshwater fish.
There are two types of crappie: white and black. Both are found in warm, calm freshwater lakes, ponds, reservoirs and streams with abundant aquatic vegetation for schools and sandy or muddy bottoms. In the winter, crappies are very active and prefer to cluster around deep timber, and as spring progresses, they move to shallow cover. The best time to catch these fish is early in the morning, when they start feeding, or in the evening. The native range extends from Virginia through Florida to Texas.
Crappie anglers usually use ultralight rods, but the fly fishing technique is also popular.
Striped Bass
Unlike the aforementioned black bass, striped bass are generally a saltwater species found in the coastal and estuarine areas of the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. However, being anadromous, like salmon and trout, it spawns in fresh water, in bodies of water such as Lake Texoma, the Colorado River, Lake Powell, the Arkansas River and others. They generally prefer rocky bottom, clear, warm (around 70ºF/21ºC) and deep reservoirs.
Stripers live in small groups until their third year. As they grow older and more mature, they swim alone or with a partner and form schools only during migration.
Nighttime is considered the best time to fish for bass, especially in the estuary area, when the sea worms come out. During the day, stripers spend time on the bottom, avoiding strong sunlight.
Since this fish can grow big and heavy, you need a heavy-duty rod for trolling, surfcasting, or baitcasting, depending on your fishing method.