The Top Ten Fish to Catch in North America

(Photo : The Top Ten Fish to Catch in North America)

Fishing is a popular hobby in North America. It can be thrilling and challenging, and those who love to fish really love it. In North America, almost all of the fishing is freshwater due to the accessibility of spotted bass vs largemouth bass. There are plenty of freshwater fish species that are highly sought-after. 

Here are the top ten fish to catch in North America. 

1. Crappie

The Crappie is a type of panfish that is very popular and plentiful in freshwater lakes. There are two kinds of Crappies: White Crappies and Black Crappies. These fish tend to travel in schools, so they can be easy to catch more than one. There are even tournaments for Crappie fishing.

Anglers can use a variety of baits and lures to catch Crappies, but live minnows and jigs are the most effective way to get your hands on a Crappie. They can also be caught during the ice fishing season. 

2. Other Panfish Species

Panfish are among the best and most targeted freshwater fish in North America. They are abundant, widely found, and relatively easy to catch. This species includes the Crappie and includes others like Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Longear Sunfish, Red Breast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, Warmouth, and much more. 

3. Largemouth Bass

The Largemouth Bass likely doesn't need an introduction to avid anglers. You'll likely find this fish on every list of top freshwater fish. They are commonly found in lakes, small creeks, rivers, and farm ponds. They are suitable for many different kinds of water temperature, and they spawn during the spring, which can range from January to June, depending on your location. 

Like the Crappie, there are tournaments for Largemouth Bass fishing. There are plenty of other kinds of bass, like the Spotted bass. When comparing spotted bass vs. largemouth bass, there is plenty to know. 

4. Flathead Catfish

Flathead Catfish is one of three of the top catfish species most sought after in North American fishing, and they are the most predatory. Since they have been introduced to many bodies of water over the continent that they are not wild to, they are easy to target.

You may also hear them being called Yellow Catfish or Shovelhead Catfish. These catfish can grow to be over 100lbs. Since they are so big and predatory, anglers will have more success with live bait. 

5. Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish are another one of the three primary catfish species that rise above the rest. Like the Flathead Catfish, they are predatory, and they will become the dominant fish in their environments. Since they can grow to be over 150lbs, they are becoming plentiful in many freshwater lakes around North America. 

6. Salmon

Salmon is an excellent option for game fishing, but they are more scarce than other kinds of freshwater fish. They are commonly caught while fly fishing, trolling, and with live bait. There are a few prevalent kinds of salmon, including Pink Salmon, Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, and Atlantic Salmon. 

The Chinook Salmon is referred to as "king" salmon, as they grow to be large and are found all over the United States and Canada. 

7. Sturgeon 

Sturgeons are the largest fish on the list, as they grow to be over 12 feet long in freshwater. There are many species of Sturgeon, including White Sturgeon, Green Sturgeon, Lake Sturgeon, and Shortnose Sturgeon. These fish have a distinct, almost prehistoric appearance, and they're primarily found in the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest. 

8. Carp

Historically, Carp has been an undesirable kind of fish because they're not very tasty. They are easy to find and grow quite large, so they've become a popular game fish. They are very challenging to catch, so anglers should use bait like corn, worms, and dough balls. They are also referred to as the Midwest Bonefish. 

9. Walleye Pike

Mostly sought-after in Canada and the Northern US states, the Walleye is a great fish that is perfect for dinner. They can be a challenging catch, and anglers should use live bait, crankbait, and jigs to try and snag one of these fish. Other popular varieties of Pike include Northern Pike, Sauger, Muskellunge (or Musky), and Chain Pickerel. 

10. Rainbow Trout

Trout are some of the most well-known fish. Rainbow Trout are easily identifiable. Their scales have rainbow markings, and they are remarkable to look at. They're found all over the United States and primarily found in streams and small rivers. 

When rainbow trouts leave the streams for open water, they lose their rainbow colors and become more grey and silver, and they become Steelhead Trout. Other popular varieties of Trout include Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, and Brook Trout.