An angler catching a fishing from water

Top 14 targeted Fishing Species in US

Fishing in the United States brings joy, adventure, and challenges for seasoned and beginner fishers. Hot fishing spots in the United States, including rivers, ponds, streams, and oceans, have a wide variety of fish species. So down below, we will discuss all the famous fish for sport and commercial fishing in the US.

1. Northern Pike

Northern Pike are predators known for their aggressive nature. They are usually found in the freshwaters of northern US lakes and rivers. These fish weigh between 3.3 and 19.8 pounds. They are easy to catch and perfect for beginners.

2. Walleye

A popular choice in cooler lakes and rivers of the northern US as well. Long and thin bodies make them easy to identify. If you are fishing in shallow or semi-shallow waters, Walleye is a rewarding fish that's not hard to locate and retrieve.

3. Bass

Bass are a favorite among American anglers. These ray-finned fish weigh 11 to 12 pounds and are most active from May to July. Found in ponds, streams, and rivers, Bass thrive in waters around 60 to 75°F, offering an exciting fishing experience. Following is the classification of Bass fish:

  • Largemouth Bass

  • Smallmouth Bass

  • Spotted Bass

  • Striped Bass

  • White Bass

  • Rock Bass

4. Redfish

Redfish, also known as Red Drum, is the fisher's best choice on the southern coastline from Delaware to Florida. Redfish length is up to 100cm and weight ranges from 20-35 pounds. Redfish are easy to catch and very rich in taste.

5. Gar

Gar is an ancient fish species that meets fishers mostly in the hot waters of the central and Southern US. Not an easy encounter for anglers, but gar is tasty and worth pursuing.

6. Musky

A giant freshwater fish weighs from 15 to 35 lbs. Musky has a predatory and aggressive nature. Fishing musky is a thrilling and exciting experience for seasoned fishers to enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

7. Snook

In the warm and shallow waters of Texas and Florida, snook is famous for fishing. For beginner anglers, the species weighing up to 28 pounds will be an easy catch. Fishers usually use small fish as bait to attract snooks.

8. Bluegill

Bluegill is a favorite in family fishing trips. This fish is small yet very mighty and is typically 6-9 inches long with an average weight of 4 to 8 ounces. Easy to find and retrieve and perfect for beginners.

9. Trout

Trout is among the widely existing fish in cold freshwater streams and a popular choice among fishers in the US. Weighing up to 4 and 8 pounds, it's a very tricky fish to catch, but the taste and beauty are worth the effort. Trouts are further classified into the following variations

  • Rainbow Trout

  • Brown Trout

  • Brook Trout

  • Lake Trout

  • Cutthroat Trout

  • Bull Trout 

  • Golden Trout 

  • Steelhead

10. Salmon

Salmon is famous for its rich taste and health benefits. Found in clean rivers of the northwest US, they weigh between 7.5 to 12 pounds. Salmon is easy to fish but hard to find.

11. Crappie

Crappies are a bit elusive, making fishing them a fun challenge. Best fished in Florida freshwaters, they keep anglers coming back for more.

12. Tarpon

Tarpons are considered a prized catch in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina. It can length up to 8 feet weigh around 280 pounds and is found in both freshwater and saltwater. The best times to fish tarpon are May and June, however, their acrobatic nature and strength make them a challenging catch. 

In Florida, Tarpons are under the catch-and-release policy to preserve them and ensure safe fishing practices. This policy allows anglers to enjoy the thrill of catching tarpon while contributing to their conservation as well.

13. Tuna

Tuna are the stars of deep waters. With 17 species, some reach up to 2 meters and are thrilling to catch. Due to the overfishing of this species, some of its sub-types are now under the threat of extinction. Following are famous tuna species in the US:

  • Bluefin Tuna 

  • Yellowfin Tuna 

  • Albacore Tuna 

  • Bigeye Tuna

  • Blackfin Tuna 

  • Little Tunny

14. Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi is a colorful speedster of tropical and subtropical waters. These fish are very popular in sports and commercial fishing, a remarkable catch to add excitement to any fishing trip.

 

Final Thoughts

The US offers an incredible variety of fishing opportunities, from the calm lakes of the north to the bustling coastal waters of the south. Whether you're after the thrill of a Musky or the ease of catching a Northern Pike, there's a species out there for everyone. So grab your gear, head to your favorite spot, and make your next fishing trip one to remember!