A fish is a cold-blooded animal that lives and breathes underwater. Fish typically have scales, gills, fins, and a streamlined body.
photo of a brook trout taken from overhead by Joe Riederer
sea lamprey in an aquarium with their mouths attached to the aquarium glass
Sea lampreys are members of an ancient family of "jawless fishes" that were around before the dinosaurs.
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illustration of a bluegill by Virgil Beck
Bluegill are the most common sunfish in Wisconsin.
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illustration of a brook trout by Virgil Beck
This brightly colored fish is Wisconsin's only native stream trout.
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illustration of brown trout by Virgil Beck
You can find Brown Trout hiding under rocky ledges or in deep pools of Wisconsin's rivers and streams and in Lake Michigan.
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illustration of a brown bullhead by Virgil Beck
The bullhead is an interesting, smooth-skinned fish.
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illustration of channel catfish by Virgil Beck
Wisconsin has two kinds of catfish, the channel catfish and the flathead catfish.
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illustration of chinook salmon by Virgil Beck
You may know this fish by another name such as king salmon, spring salmon, blackmouth, tschawytscha, chin, king, magnum, or shaker.
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illustration of coho salmon by Virgil Beck
The coho salmon has many different names.
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illustration of black crappie by Virgil Beck
Beware of the trademark spiny-rays on the dorsal fin of this sunfish - ouch!
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illustration of lake trout by Virgil Beck
Lake trout are native to the Great Lakes area, New England, and Canada.
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illustration of largemouth bass by Virgil Beck
This brainy fish is the largest of the sunfish family, and has a mighty cavernous jaw.
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illustration of muskellunge by Virgil Beck
Meet the muskellunge—a lean, mean fightin' machine.
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illustration of northern pike by Virgil Beck
This is Wisconsin's second largest predator fish.
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illustration of pumpkinseed by Virgil Beck
This is the number one fish for kids to catch all over Wisconsin!
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illustration of inland Rainbow Trout with bright lateral stripe
Steelhead and rainbow trout are really the same species of fish.
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Round Goby
This invader is a bottom dwelling fish with a large head, resembling a tadpole.
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illustration of lake sturgeon by Virgil Beck
Dinosaur Fish Lurk in Wisconsin Waters
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illustration of walleye by Virgil Beck
The walleye is the largest member of the perch family.
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illustration of yellow perch by Virgil Beck
Perch are found everywhere in Wisconsin and are very popular to catch and eat.
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At a Glance

  • sea lamprey in an aquarium with their mouths attached to the aquarium glass

    Sea lampreys are members of an ancient family of "jawless fishes" that were around before the dinosaurs.

  • illustration of a bluegill by Virgil Beck

    Bluegill are the most common sunfish in Wisconsin.

  • illustration of a brook trout by Virgil Beck

    This brightly colored fish is Wisconsin's only native stream trout.

  • illustration of brown trout by Virgil Beck

    You can find Brown Trout hiding under rocky ledges or in deep pools of Wisconsin's rivers and streams and in Lake Michigan.

  • illustration of a brown bullhead by Virgil Beck

    The bullhead is an interesting, smooth-skinned fish.