Fish of the Week!

Stippled Studfish & Fabulous Fundulids Nov 9, 2026 31:12 Get to know the Stippled Studfish and Fundulid family that includes native fishes like studfish, killifish, topminnows and mummichogs. Our guests are Will Mutsch and Gabe Oleinik from the Fundulid Working Group. Learn about the habits and range of this species, Fundulid tips for fish keepers/aquarists, and how to get involved with these gorgeous native fish.

Miller Lake Lamprey! Nov 2, 2026 44:19 Get to know the smallest landlocked parasitic lamprey in the world! This tiny Oregon native, found only in the upper Klamath Basin, has a fascinating story of evolution, persecution, and return. Katrina, Guy, and guest Ben Clemens (Statewide Lamprey Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) dig into the science and history of this species and mull over philosophical questions reg

Chesapeake Logperch! Oct 26, 2026 41:45 Get to know the Chesapeake Logperch: a cigar-shaped fish with a button nose for flipping rocks and an interesting story. Bonus: a deep dive into the Endangered Species Act species status assessment process. Our guests are Dr. Jay Stauffer (Penn State Distinguished Professor), Steve Davis (Lead Fish Culturalist at our Northeast Fisheries Center), and Richard Novak (Biologist at our Pennsylvania Fie

Oregon Chub! Oct 19, 2026 42:38 Get to know Oregon Chub, one of only two species in Oregon's endemic genus Oregonichthys. This incredible boom-n-bust, mosquito-eating pioneer happens to love the same off-channel habitats emblematic of Oregon's rich heritage that myriad native birds, amphibians, juvenile salmon, and wildlife rely upon. Our guests Matt Collver (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Native Fish Investigation Pro

Grass Carp! Oct 12, 2026 36:01 Get to know the Grass Carp, a behemoth of a vegetarian with its very own "coming to America" story. Katrina and Guy delve into how it's situated on the fish family tree, compare and contrast it with other invasive carp and goldfish, and unveil the latest fan mail requests.

Yellowfin Shiner! Oct 5, 2026 46:06 Meet the gem of the Georgia Piedmont, the Yellowfin Shiner! On this episode we learn all about the color-popping spawning habits of Yellowfins and other species in the Hydrophlox genus, their association with nest-building species like Bluehead Chubs and stonerollers, and where to spot them. You'll also get tips on successfully keeping native fish in aquaria and how to make friendships with other

Kala/Bluespine Unicornfish! Sep 28, 2026 43:26 Meet the Kala, also known as the Bluespine Unicornfish! From the horn on its head to its blue spines and tail tassels, this leathery-skinned fish is a wonder to behold and a culturally-important species in Hawaii. You'll learn about the limu-eating habits of this fish and what is known about its age and growth, the practice of "pono" science, how management informed by lawai'a, how to be a good vi

The Peppered Shiner! Sep 21, 2026 34:59 Get to know the Peppered Shiner: a beautiful little endemic fish that holds a special seat in the waters of Arkansas and Oklahoma, particularly in Arkansas' Saline River where it can still be reliably found. We discuss the habits and preferences of this fish, its place in shoaling communities and where it lives, and what people can do to help ensure it doesn't blink out. We also learn about the ch

Bay Anchovy! Sep 14, 2026 35:22 Get to know the humble and overlooked little Bay Anchovy: one of the most abundant and ecologically vital fish in most mid-Atlantic estuaries. This fish is on the menu for everyone from Striped Bass to Bluefish, sea birds to marine mammals. Is it also on pizza? You'll have to listen to find out. Our guest, Brian Boutin from our Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, discusses the

Golden Mahseer: Revered River Runner Sep 7, 2026 40:54 Get to know the Golden Mahseer, a large freshwater fish native to fast-flowing rivers in the Himalayan region that feels the watershed-wide impacts of events like the recent catastrophic debris flow and flash flood in Nepal (this episode was recorded just prior to the catastrophic glacial collapse). We dive into the value of this fish and why it's important to think globally when it comes to learn

King Mox: Greater Redhorse! Aug 31, 2026 31:51 Get to know the biggest member of the genus Moxostoma: the Greater Redhorse! This impressive native sucker species is accessible, fun to catch, and not intimidating to handle. We discuss how sight-fishing and focusing on the up-close details and beauty of fish can inspire art and offer an escape from the daily grind. Our guest Devon is an avid angler, fish artist, and Greater Redhorse fan. If you

Borax Lake Chub! Aug 24, 2026 39:39 Get to know an extremely tough desert fish found only in one lake in southeastern Oregon. You'll learn about its amazing ability to withstand both hot temperatures and high levels of arsenic, the history of the lake and its conservation, and what questions are still left unanswered. Our guest is Fred Monzyk with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Native Fish Program.

Greater Amberjack! Aug 17, 2026 40:36 Get to know the reef donkey! This big, powerful fish will "slap you around a bit and give you some fish rash." Katrina and Guy are joined by guests Mischa Schutz and Creed Branham, who share their knowledge about the ecology and movement patterns of this fish, fishing tips, unexpected culinary tricks, what it's like to go through the scientific peer review process as a graduate student, and more!

Hawaii's Goatfishes! Aug 10, 2026 37:42 Get to know the goatfishes and their special place in Hawaiian culture. From keiki fishing for ʻōama with cane poles to the deeper meaning behind the endemic kūmū, we explore the efforts across the Hawaiian Archipelago to connect with and conserve these wonderful fish. Our guest is Jake Reichard with Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources.

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout: Exquisite Explorer Aug 3, 2026 38:01 Meet one of the few fish that's managed to cross America's Continental Divide: the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout! On this episode we explore the variation in ecology and morphology of this beautiful fish across its range, its history in Yellowstone National Park and efforts to move it by wagon and train, how its been impacted by nonnative trout species, where to catch it, and the value it holds with

Atlantic Tripletail: Buoy Bombshell Jul 27, 2026 39:48 We want you to imagine a souped up tilapia the size of a tire, hanging by a buoy. Head to Mississippi to fall in love with the Atlantic Tripletail, a fish of many names ("sleepy fish" and "buoy fish") that can deliver a powerful kick on the end of your line. Katrina and Guy are joined by Trevor Moncrief and Eric Gigli with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Topics include where to fin

Olympic Mudminnow: Quintessential Washingtonian Fish Jul 20, 2026 35:15 Meet Washington State's only freshwater endemic fish: the Olympic Mudminnow! Despite being found nowhere else in the world, many questions about this quintessential Washingtonian species remain unanswered! On this episode, you'll get to know the habits, preferences, and close relatives of this beautiful little ambush predator. Ecologist Lauren Kuehne is our guest.

Neon Tetra! Jul 13, 2026 31:39 How well do you REALLY know one of the most popular fish the USA? What's the science behind its neon blue stripe? Where does it come from? What conditions does it prefer? Katrina and Guy get curious about this freshwater aquarium fish that Americans love so much.

The Butterfly Kingfish! Jul 6, 2026 43:04 Meet the Butterfly Kingfish AKA Butterfly Mackerel: the hottest fish you've never heard of! This not-well-studied fish is the sole species in the monotypic genus Gasterochisma, and the oldest lineage of Scombridae (the mackerel, tuna, and bonito family). Katrina, Guy, and guest Fernando Melendez Vazquez from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City dig into the details about this la

Redbreast Sunfish! Jun 29, 2026 37:18 Get to know the Redbreast Sunfish and catch up on some fan mail, where Katrina and Guy read listener's fish requests and feedback! Learn how to tell this fish apart from other sunfish species, where to find Redbreasts, and gain some excellent fishing tips.

Weed Shiner: A Comeback Story! Jun 22, 2026 43:46 Get to know the minnow that "has the most normal looking head of any minnow" - the Weed Shiner! There's a lot of mystery surrounding this overlooked native fish, which, in addition to being a tasty treat for sportfish like Largemouth Bass and Bluegill, can tell us a lot about the success of habitat restoration efforts. Guest Ben Patschull from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) te

Gizzard Shad! Jun 15, 2026 35:47 Get to know the Gizzard Shad, a native fish that eats mud, feeds sportfish, and has something in common with birds! On this episode we delve into the ecology of this fish (including competition with invasive carp and positive interactions with native mussels), its nuanced role in nutrient cycling, and how the public perceives and interacts with Gizzard Shad. We've even got some math for folks who

Pahrump Poolfish: A Unique Nevada Native Jun 8, 2026 34:45 Get to know the only surviving member of genus Empetrichthys, the desert-dwelling Pahrump Poolfish! This Nevada native is not nearly as well-known as its neighbor, the Devils Hole Pupfish, but similarly is endangered and endemic to isolated, highly specific desert habitat. In six seasons of Fish of the Week, this is the FIRST species we've covered in the family Goodeidae! Our guests are fish biolo

Beachgoing Blacktip Sharks: Movin' North Jun 1, 2026 37:26 Get to know the habits of the Blacktip Shark and why they aggregate so close to shore. Just in time for summer, Katrina and Guy visit with shark expert Stephen Kajiura from Florida Atlantic University about shifting baselines and why these sharks are adjusting their migration farther north up the East Coast. We discuss how scientists study these sharks, what drives their migration, beachgoing safe

Atacama Trench Snailfishes VS Abyssal Plains Assfishes! May 25, 2026 35:04 The scene is set: two neighbors with very different ways of living. One is large, long-lived, free-to-roam, blimp-like. The other: small, shorter-lived, confined, butter-like. These are the people's fish, occupying international waters and places on earth that are quite impossible for us to truly experience from the perspectives of these amazingly adapted, beautiful fish. Get to know the "albatros

Gilt Darter Complex: Discoveries in Biodiversity May 18, 2026 42:52 Get to know the Gilt Darter complex! Katrina and Guy are joined by two guests from Yale University's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Tom Near and Julia Wood. They imagine sitting down with the five species (Gilt, Masquerade, Brassy, Western Gilt, and Russet Darters) over dinner to understand the identity of each fish and how they're doing, dig into what makes a species a species, t

Western Atlantic Torpedo Ray! May 6, 2026 42:00 This week we're heading to New England to get to know its very large, blobby, thick-tailed electric ray that's super cool but not well-understood. In this episode, we get a peek into the torpedo ray's personality and deep dive into the how-tos and value of rescuing and necropsying stranded fish. Guy ponders if anyone has used uterine "milk" to make a cheese and Katrina wonders about historical acc

Frowny & Fabulous Fat Sleeper! May 4, 2026 43:18 Prized for their blue spot and legendary as bait for big snook and other sportfish, the frowny-faced Fat Sleeper is valued wherever it is: judging you from your aquarium, breathing air from the top of its head while trying to avoid becoming candy for herons, predicting storms, or unlocking nutrients from mangroves to benefit the entire food chain. You'll learn how this fish is the ultimate survivo

Convict Cichlids & America's "Goldilocks" Waters Apr 27, 2026 38:54 In waters that are "just right" across America, you can find colorful, unfamiliar fish living on the edge. Embark on a weird treasure hunt with Katrina, Guy, and guest Matt Miller from The Nature Conservancy to learn about Central American Convict Cichlids in Idaho to feral fancy guppies in George Washington's Bathtub and Jack Dempsey Cichlids in South Dakota. We explore American's bizarre relatio

Northern Pike in Southcentral Alaska Apr 20, 2026 44:52 Get the latest scoop on Northern Pike in Southcentral Alaska with Alaska Department of Fish and Game guest Parker Bradley. While this fish is highly sought-after and valued for subsistence and sport in the regions of Alaska where it's native, it is causing problems for salmon in Southcentral Alaska where it's been introduced. We deep dive into a nuanced look at how species can cause harm when they

Golden Redhorse: Fantastic Native Sucker Apr 13, 2026 36:26 Get to know the Golden Redhorse! They fight hard, they're beautiful, and they're a great fish to introduce kids to fishing (soft mouth, no spines). During this episode you'll gain strategies to see their migration and catch/cook redhorse, identify redhorse species in your neck of the woods, learn how anglers are helping scientists understand more about these fish through an amazing piece of anatom

Emerald Bowfin: Honey Badger of Fish! Apr 6, 2026 36:49 Get to know the Emerald Bowfin, one of two native species of bowfin found in North America! Always hungry and angry, this gamest of fish is a dedicated parent and will roll and jump spectacularly on the end of your line if hooked...and once landed, it about as close as you can get to holding a living dinosaur. Guests Griffin Blegen and Tyler Winter help Katrina and Guy dig into where this fish is

American Star Drum: Estuarine Candy! Mar 30, 2026 37:07 Get to know the American Star Drum: an abundant, silvery little bulldog-faced fish that feeds everything from popular sportfish to beloved birds and dolphins! Katrina and Guy are joined by two Georgia-based guests: Rachel Guy with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve/Georgia DNR and Bryan Fluech with the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. You'll learn ab

Southern Appalachian Brook Trout! Mar 23, 2026 40:30 Travel to North Carolina with Katrina, Guy, and guest Tyler Pait to get to know the beautiful Brook Trout of the Southern Appalachians! You'll learn about the habits of these fish, where you can still find them in the south, how to safely approach a high-elevation Brook Trout fishing adventure, and how folks with non-fish day jobs are making a difference (and how you can too!).

Abyssal Rattail & Rough Abyssal Grenadier! Mar 16, 2026 41:18 Head with us to the abyssal sea floor, a fascinating and important place with rolling hills, rock outcrops, and amazing creatures drifting by and sticking out of deep, fine mud. This is where an abundance of fish with rat-like tails are feeling around and tracking the populations of surface dwelling fish above. Guest Jeff Drazen from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa joins Katrina and Guy to ans

Alabama's Watercress Darter! Mar 9, 2026 40:21 Head to Birmingham, Alabama with us to get to know this fish and several other endangered urban darters. We explore the city and the well-known spring oases the Watercress Darter calls home, as well as the ways in which the community has rallied around their care. You'll hear from the man who first discovered and described this fish in 1965 and two guests from our Alabama Ecological Services Field

The Blackbanded Sunfish of East Coast Blackwaters Mar 2, 2026 34:59 Get to know a beautiful and rare native species found in pockets of tea-like blackwater habitats along the East Coast. Katrina and Guy are joined by three guests from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Jay Kilian, Seth Moessinger, and Jason Cessna. Learn more about the fish, their patchy habitats, and the amazing work being done by a variety of partners and states to locate, understand,

Pumpkinseed: Find Your Happy Place Feb 23, 2026 42:22 Get to know the Pumpkinseed, "perfect in all its parts, looking like a brilliant coin, fresh from the mint." Learn what makes this fish tick, where to find it, how to catch it (in both open water and through the ice), and how fishing can take you to a happy place. Katrina and Guy are joined by Jeff Kopaska (Executive Director of the American Fisheries Society) and retired Minnesota fish biologist

All The Fish Names: Etymology Deep Dive! Feb 16, 2026 41:17 In contrast to the clinical, objective science of descriptive taxonomy, naming a fish is the one time scientists can be creative, personal, poetic, whimsical, and even mysterious. We dig into the process and history of formally naming fish species. Our special guest, Christopher Sharpf (the brains behind the ETYFish Project), has researched the names of literally ALL THE FISH!! You'll particularly

Rockhead Poacher: Livin' Loud Feb 9, 2026 50:00 What looks like a rock, vocalizes using its own bizarre internal instrument, and vibrates like a cell phone when picked up? Get to know the Rockhead Poacher: a fish that's developed a very special way to make itself heard in loud, acoustically complex tidepools along the Pacific coast. Whether you're a fish enthusiast, computer geek, gamer or art lover, this episode is for you. Fish biologist and

Virginia's Walleye/Sauger Hybrid: Saugeye! Feb 2, 2026 30:28 Get to know the Saugeye! You'll get extensive tips how to angle for this fish, how it tastes, and what goes into producing this hybrid for fun fishing opportunities in Virginia. Katrina and Guy are joined by two guests from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

The Big-Shouldered Piebald Madtom Jan 26, 2026 39:37 Get to know a notoriously difficult-to-detect Noturus species: the Piebald Madtom! Matt Wagner, a biologist from our Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office, takes us into the field to learn about this very neat little American catfish with a big sting!

Broad Whitefish: Alaska's Chunkiest Coregonid Jan 19, 2026 36:55 Tune in this week as Katrina and Guy head to Alaska's Kuskokwim River! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guests Frank Harris and Aaron Moses describe this fish, its importance to people, the river + Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, and the logistical challenges of studying fish in remote Alaska (MacGyver story included!).If you like this episode, we've got another for you that offers an Iñupiat

Trout-Perch! Surprise...It's Neither! Jan 12, 2026 26:14 Get to know the Trout-Perch, an understudied yet important forage fish that makes its living across a large swath of North America! Katrina and Guy are joined by guests Ray Katula and Justin Lesser.

Season 6: Celebrate America's Fish! Jan 5, 2026 50:40 Co-hosts Katrina and Guy reflect on the past five seasons and take a sneak peek into season 6. Learn which 25 American fish top their lists and their shortlist of Mount Rushmore-worthy fishes. The episode ends with listeners' "fanmail darter" recommendations.

Hawaii's 'O'opu Gobies! Sep 29, 2025 34:54 Get to know 'o'opu nākea, 'o'opu 'alamo'o, ‘o’opu nopili, ‘o’opu naniha, and ‘o’opu ‘akupa! From scaling waterfalls to farming algae, Hawaii’s native ‘o’opu gobies embody a mauka to makai (mountains to sea) way of living. These fascinating obligate amphidromous fishes (and our guests - Cory Yap, Cody Chacon, and Tim Grabowski), help us to open a window into Hawaiian culture, sense of place, a

Round Goby! Sep 22, 2025 26:22 Get to know the invasive Round Goby! You'll learn about the history of this fish in the Great Lakes, their impacts, and how to tell them apart from native fishes like Mottled Sculpin and Johnny Darter. Our guests are Julie Nitz and Abby Wicks from Wayne State University.

Mahi-mahi (Dolphinfish) Sep 15, 2025 38:48 Per listener request, get to know the fish so nice they named it twice! In this episode you'll learn about their fascinating coloration and behavior, fishing and underwater viewing strategies, and how to contribute to our collective understanding of the movements and lives of these fish by participating in one of the world's largest fishermen-driven tagging programs. Our guest is Wess Merten: Dire

River Chub Rockstar! Sep 8, 2025 37:41 Meet a rockstar of a fish who develops a big pink head adorned with tubercles during the spawning season. Not only that, it moves thousands of rocks into spawning mounds that benefit all kinds of other fish! This species and other chubs in the Nocomis genus are very important indeed. Guy and Katrina dig into this fish and recent fan mail.

Texas' Native Guadalupe Bass! Sep 1, 2025 42:08 Meet the official state fish of Texas and the gem of central Texas: the Guadalupe Bass! Native only to the clear, groundwater-influenced streams of the Texas Hill Country, this spunky fish is an amazing catch and will absolutely tear into your light tackle and crater your topwater. "If they want to eat your fly, there's nothing you can do to get it away from them. They will outrun it, they will ea

Bluemask Darter! Aug 26, 2025 38:50 Get to know a fan favorite! Katrina and Guy visit with guests Bo Baxter and Derek Wheaton from Conservation Fisheries to understand the habits and history of this tiny cog and wheel in our amazing, beautiful world. You'll learn how and where to best visit with and photograph bluemask and related darters underwater...and how Conservation Fisheries raises and feeds (!) tiny millimeters-long "set-of-

Lake Sturgeon: Michigan's Story Aug 18, 2025 33:08 Get to know the lunkers of the lake that also need free-flowing rivers...Lake Sturgeon! This episode takes Katrina and Guy to Michigan where they talk with guest Ed Baker from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Delve into the history of Lake Sturgeon in Michigan, learn what makes this fish so very cool, and explore what's being done to help them achieve the comeback they (and anglers) d

Alaska's Kenai River Rainbow Trout Aug 11, 2025 35:05 Head to Alaska and get to know the big, beautiful rainbow trout of the Kenai River! You'll learn tips about when and how to float and fish the river, the habits of rainbow trout and other Kenai River fish, and how your fishing license and gear purchases contribute to improved access points along the river and beyond. Our guests are Tracy Smith (Statewide Boating & Angler Access Program Coordi

Utah's Native Cutthroat Trout! Aug 4, 2025 42:32 Get to know and explore the state of Utah by discovering its amazing cutthroat trout diversity! We are joined by two guests with the Utah Department of Natural Resources: Mike Slater and Trina Hedrick. You'll learn where these fish live, why they're so cool, how to go about completing the Utah Cutthroat Trout Slam, and how your license and gear purchases are put towards conservation and unforgetta

Sport Fish Restoration Act 75th Jul 29, 2025 35:31 Get to know the history behind the Sport Fish Restoration Act as we kick off a month celebrating its role (and yours) in fisheries conservation and access. Our guests are Mark Madison (a historian at our National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia) and Tom Decker (branch manager with our Office of Conservation Investment).

Yelloweye Rockfish / Spot Shrimp Special! Jul 21, 2025 37:55 Get to know the Yelloweye Rockfish and (bonus!) spot shrimp! This episode explores the close relationship between these two species in Prince William Sound, Alaska. You'll gain insight into their diet and reproduction, fishing tips and how-tos, and best practices to help both species continue to provide enjoyment and sustenance for years to come. Our guests are Brittany Blain-Roth and Donnie Arthu

Lifelist Fishing How-Tos! Jul 14, 2025 46:22 Katrina and Guy do a deep dive into lifelist fishing including how to start from scratch, lessons learned, tips for parents who want to set their kids up for lifelisting success, and how this fun activity can open doors to deep friendships and fish-focused vacations (the best kind!). Guy also discusses his wearable seine and Katrina catches listeners up on "fanmail darter."

Tennessee's Lovely Laurel Dace Jul 7, 2025 40:54 Get to know the Laurel Dace, a Tennessee native named for the mountain laurel that covers the streams where it lives. You'll love this handsome fish with the gold, yellow, black and tan ensemble and splash of red on their lips. This endangered Southern Appalachian fish is an emblem of a very special place and what it means to live as part of a community and watch out for your neighbors, both above

Shorthead Redhorse: Fishiest Fish For All Jun 30, 2025 36:02 Get to know the beautiful Shorthead Redhorse: a far-ranging, classically shiny fish that's very accessible, tasty, and fun to catch! All while it continues to provide ecosystem services for other valued fish and wildlife. Our guests are Native Fish for Tomorrow's Olaf Nelson and Tyler Winter: two guys who are true sucker lovers willing share a wealth of information and big dose of enthusiasm for p

Weather Loach! Jun 23, 2025 33:52 We've got a fascinating story for you about the discovery of nonnative Weather Loaches in Georgia! You'll want to get to know these butt-breathing, temperature tolerant fishes and the cool work being done to understand their distribution and impact. Our guests are researchers from the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources: Wesley Gerrin and Sarah McNair!Story Map

Rainbow Darter! Jun 16, 2025 35:40 Get to know the Rainbow Darter! Whether you're microfishing, snorkeling, or combining the two, this is a great first fish to start your lifelist...and life list fishing is a great way to celebrate the amazing biodiversity of fish! Cody Cromer, a native fish enthusiast, aquarium keeper, microfisherman and lifelist angler from Ohio brings his passion for these pursuits and for these beautiful native

The Fantastic Flier! Jun 9, 2025 33:09 Meet a really neat member of North America's native sunfish family: the Flier! You can find this fantastic aquaria fish and worthy ultralight target sipping midges and chasing their small fish prey in cypress swamps. You'll come away from this episode with a great understanding of and appreciation for these beautiful, underappreciated fish. Our guests, both members of the North American Native Fis

Southeast Snorkeling for Spotfin Chub! Jun 2, 2025 31:21 Get to know the Spotfin Chub! This beautiful, sometimes shimmery blue fish is endemic/unique to the Tennessee River basin in the Southeast United States and the only species in its genus. After listening, you'll know all about it's cool bedrock/crevice spawning habits, how the impacts of Hurricane Helene are still at play, and tips for interacting with this fish and other cool native species along

Blue Catfish! May 26, 2025 39:35 Get to know the Blue Catfish! From their habits in big rivers like the Missouri and Mississippi to fishing opportunities in small reservoirs, we have two great guests to help dig into the details: Kurt Hentschke and Joe McMullen from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Joe is a big river specialist and manages Missouri's commercial fishing program and Kurt manages Missouri's Hunnewell Fish H

Rio Grande Silvery Minnow! May 19, 2025 33:28 Take a trip to the middle Rio Grande: a sandy river that, in its heyday, was "a mile wide and an inch deep" and chock full of millions of minnows. Our guests are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists Andy Dean from our New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office and Thomas Archdeacon from our New Mexico Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office.

Big & Beautiful Peacock Basses! May 12, 2025 41:30 Get to know the peacock basses! By the end of this episode you'll be familiar with the different species, their savage feeding habits and habitat preferences, and how to put that knowledge to use for fishing in South America or south Florida. Our guest, Dr. Kirk Winemiller, professor at Texas A&M University, brings a huge wealth of knowledge about peacock bass ecology, diversity, and behavior.

California Golden Trout! May 5, 2025 33:25 Come to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains with Katrina and Guy to learn about the fish that some consider the most beautiful of all trouts: the California Golden Trout. You might also like these trout episodes:S5:E9 Greenback Cutthroat TroutS4:E45 Redband TroutS4:E42 Apache TroutS4:E10 Mexico's Native TroutS1:E49 Bull TroutS1:E35 Gila TroutLearn more:Spiciest Trout in the West (cutthroats) http

Guzmán Beautiful Shiner & Chihuahua Chub! Apr 28, 2025 32:55 We've got two fish, four guests, and one closed basin for you this week! Get to know a couple of New Mexico's special fishes and the place they call home. Our guests are Jill Wick with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Serena Kucera with our NM Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Robert Prather with our NM Ecological Services Field Office, and Tracy Diver from our Southwestern Native

The Most Underestimated Least Chub! Apr 21, 2025 34:12 It may not be the "most" chub, but this unique native fish has a lot to offer! Kaitlyn Purington and Chance Broderius from the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Resources offer a state perspective on the public value of the very cool Least Chub. Like chubs? You might like these episodes:S3:E51 Bonytail ChubS2:E7 Bluehead ChubS2:E6 Humpback ChubS1:E47 Lake Chub

Florida's Remarkable Opossum Pipefish! Apr 14, 2025 45:34 Granddaddy Opossum Pipefish rolls in wearing burnt sienna and looking like a wet stick. Time to go explore Florida and get to know this remarkable native fish! Fish Biologist Eddie Perri with our Peninsular Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is going to get you pumped about this straightened-out seahorse relative, the Opossum Pipefish.Read more: https://www.fws.gov/story/floridas-remark

Bullhead Catfishes! Catch All Seven Species Apr 7, 2025 44:20 Katrina and Guy dig into one of America's native catfish groups: the bullheads! Learn how to find and identify these fish, and get hyped to complete the bullhead slam for all seven species! This episode also includes a dive into the latest fanmail darter, so take a listen to hear what's on listeners' minds! You might also like these episode: S5:E6: Sailfin CatfishesS3:E24 Flathead CatfishS2:E33 Ch

Amphibious fishes! Walk this way! Mar 31, 2025 40:25 What does it mean to be an "amphibious" fish? How many fish fall into this category? It might be more than you think! We've got guest Noah Bressman from Salisbury University's Department of Biology to help us dig into this very interesting behavior.

The Awesome Alabama Shad Mar 24, 2025 37:52 Get to know the shimmery sister species to the East Coast's American Shad. The beautiful, migratory Alabama Shad is native to the the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf, and other Gulf coast rivers. Katrina, Guy, and guest Steve Herrington with The Nature Conservancy explore the decline of this fish and all the current and potential future values it holds. If you like this episode you might also l

Lake Whitefish: The Whole Fish Mar 17, 2025 38:16 Get to know a valuable species in North America and the Great Lakes region. We dig into what it might look like to local economies to place value on 100% of the fish instead of just the fillet by highlighting a project lead by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. Our guests are Dave Naftzger (Executive Director and founder of the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge) and Bill Bod

Greenback Cutthroat Trout Mar 3, 2025 40:33 Get to know Colorado's state fish and its roller coaster history. Once abundant in the South Platte drainage, it's now found in only a few high-elevation streams and lakes. Josh Homer from our Leadville National Fish Hatchery in Colorado and Chris Kennedy from our Colorado Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office are guests. If you like cutthroat trout, you might also like these episodes:S3:E47 Lahon

Gulf Sturgeon: Giant Southern Jumpers Feb 24, 2025 38:55 We've got two great guests with decades of combined knowledge who will help you get to know and appreciate these very large, migratory fish. Adam Kaeser is a fish biologist from our Panama City Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and Frank Paruka is a retired biologist and distinguished gulf sturgeon researcher. We cover everything from biology basics to heritage and history, and answer question

Law Enforcement Special: Pleco Trade Feb 17, 2025 40:26 Wildlife Inspector Daniel Sahakian joins us for a special episode focused on the international pleco trade as a follow-on to the armored suckermouth catfishes episode. This is the first in a mini series of themed episodes we plan to air that are focused on illegal fish trade, U.S. and international wildlife protection laws, and the amazing work our U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enfo

Sailfin Catfishes: Genus Pterygoplichthys Feb 10, 2025 39:27 This episode broadly introduces the family of South American armored suckermouth catfishes (Loricariidae) with a focus on genus Pterygoplichthys (AKA janitor fish/sailfin plecos/sailfin catfishes). You might know them from your fish tank or where they've been released into U.S. waters. We also introduce "Fan Mail Darter" where we answer questions and read fan feedback. This is part 1 of 2. Part 2

Smallmouth Bass, Big Complexity! Feb 3, 2025 44:47 How well do you really know Smallmouth Bass? There's still a ton to learn, even about super popular fish! We dig into the fascinating diversity of Smallmouth Bass with guest Andrew Taylor from the University of North Georgia. Learn the latest science, the places these fish call home, and pro tips about how to complete the Smallmouth Slam! If you like this topic you might also like these episodes:

Mountain Whitefish: Rocky Mountain Bonefish Jan 27, 2025 31:23 The majestic mountain is found in beautiful places and will challenge your fishing skills (in a good way)! Some even have snoots like the Whoville residents in The Grinch Stole Christmas. We hope you enjoy getting to know this important member in the family Salmonidae who's related to fan favorites like salmon, trout, and grayling. Want more whitefish?? Check out these episodes: S4:E6 BloaterS2:E

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