Fish Names

Anglers in different geographical areas often use different local names for the same species of fish.

The Recreational Fisheries Statistics Program uses a standard list of scientifically accepted common names. This allows us to have a common frame of reference across the United States. The accepted common names were developed by the American Fisheries Society. The list below has been compiled based on interviewing experiences in the field. The list below represents the most used (and misused) local common names of fishes, along with the accepted common name and scientific name.