Freshwater Fish Species in Indiana (ID + Pics)

Fish Species in Indiana

1) Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

One of the largest yet rarest freshwater fish species in Indiana, the lake sturgeon is often perceived as a living fossil. This elusive fish may look intimidating to most, but it is actually a gentle giant. Devoid of any teeth, it uses its prehensile mouth to search for food at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and rivers. Its adults are typically restricted to the benthic zones of large basins of freshwater, where they can keep to themselves and are less likely to be spotted by humans.

Impressively, the lake sturgeon grows to a full length of about 7.25 feet (2.2 meters). It is a remarkably long-lived fish, with females that reportedly live for more than a century in pristine environments. Unfortunately, as its meat and eggs are commercially valuable, it was once overfished by local anglers. This threatened their populations, causing their rapid decline. Currently, this endangered species is federally protected and is illegal to target and harvest.

2) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)

Massive catfish are a common sight in Indiana, where they venture into large lakes, rivers, and streams to feed and breed. The flathead cat, which is distinguished by its mottled brown to olive green coloration and its yellowish-white belly, is widespread in Lake Michigan’s tributaries. It is also found all throughout the Ohio River, where it easily grows to hefty weights of more than 50 pounds (23 kg).

Among catfishes, the flathead cat arguably has the tastiest flesh. For this reason, it is highly popular among local fishers. In the wild, it feeds on live prey and has the tendency to consume smaller fish – including those of its own kind. Pretty much anything that moves in water is fair game to this voracious carnivore.

3) Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)

Although the muskellunge or “muskie” is native to Indiana’s waters, its local populations have had to be maintained by regularly stocking hatchery-raised specimens. One of the largest native fishes of the state, it can be found in tributaries that are connected to the Ohio River. Environmental changes in these bodies of freshwater were partly instrumental in the decline of muskie populations. As large specimens are often sought by anglers, any caught muskies are usually released into their home streams.

Often mistaken for northern pike, with which it shares many of its morphological features and its general behavior, the muskie grows to a maximum length of about 48 inches (122 cm). It is a skilled hunter, able to camouflage in vegetation and use the element of surprise to catch smaller fish, insects, amphibians, small mammals, and even waterfowl.

4) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)

I. furcatus is the largest catfish in North America. This massive ictalurid can grow to a mature length of about 65 inches (165 cm). It can easily weigh as much as 70 pounds (32 kg) in productive river systems. A competitive fish wherever it is found, it tends to maintain an omnivorous and opportunistic diet. It can thrive on virtually any type of aquatic food that is readily available, including wounded fish and its own conspecifics.

Concentrated in Indiana’s largest and deepest lakes and streams, the blue catfish is likely to form schools close to channel breaks or dams. Local anglers have come across trophy sizes and attest to the presence of specimens weighing 90 pounds (41 kg) or more! Some of the best spots to search for blue catfish are found in the White, Ohio, and Wabash rivers.

5) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

One of the most highly-prized sport fishes due to its feisty nature and its hefty build, the largemouth bass is an apex predator in Indiana’s waters. As suggested by its common name, it does, indeed, have a massive mouth for its size. Its jaws can give way to prey items that are close to half its own size or slightly larger! Its adults have an appetite for other types of sunfish, fully-grown amphibians, snails, and the occasional aquatic snake.

The largemouth bass is found in almost all types of freshwater bodies in Indiana, but it does show a preference for moderately warm, clear, and calm waters with complex shorelines. It tends to favor littoral zones, where there is ample sunlight for the needs of submerged vegetation. Pieces of wooden debris, which attract many of its prey items, are also key elements of the best bass habitats.

6) Northern pike (Esox lucius)

Named for its resemblance to a pointed weapon, colloquially known as a “pike”, this member of the Esocidae family is distinctly slender and long. Generally olive-green, with yellowish hues around its ventral region, its flanks are marked by lighter-colored stripes or spots. With a head that is morphologically similar to that of an alligator, it is aptly perceived as a formidable predator.

The northern pike can easily grow to about 22 – 28 inches (56 – 71 cm) long in North America, though specimens from coastal Eurasian populations have maximum recorded lengths of more than 50 inches (127 cm). In Indiana, the majority of trophy specimens (about 72%) are reportedly female. These are readily found in many of the state’s northern lakes and rivers.

7) Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)

Nowadays, alligator gars are more commonly found in the freshwater bodies of the southern US. However, they were once numerous through the northern reaches of their natural range, which includes states like Illinois and Indiana. To make up for their extirpation in some areas – largely caused by habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native fish, they have been intentionally stocked into some major river systems (including the Ohio River).

Truly massive for a freshwater fish, the alligator gar can measure as much as 10 feet (3 meters) long. Given its conserved anatomy and an evolutionary history that dates back to Early Cretaceous times, it is often referred to as a living fossil. One of its most fascinating adaptations is its vascularized swim bladder, which can function much like a lung in oxygen-poor waters.

8) Walleye (Sander vitreus)

Best caught during overcast days and when waters are slightly rough, the walleye is more likely to feed when light levels are poor and when turbidity levels are unusually high. This is due to the competitive edge provided by their pearlescent, seemingly opaque eyes. Searching for prey in deeper waters, particularly during the warmest nights of the year, also gives them a firm advantage over other predatory fish.

Indiana’s walleye populations are found far and wide, especially as they are intentionally stocked into several lakes, reservoirs, and rivers each year. Stocking rates are developed to meet the demands of local anglers, who revel in the challenge of searching for this native fish in low-light hours.

9) Crappie (Pomoxis spp.)

Indiana is home to two widespread types of crappies – the black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and the white crappie (P. annularis). These fish look very similar to one another as they both have compressed bodies and black splotches on their flanks and fins. To differentiate between the two, anglers must look closely at their dorsal fins and gauge the degree to which each fish is covered in spots. Sensibly, black crappies tend to be darker overall. They also have more spines on their dorsal fins than white crappies.

Wherever they are found, black and white crappies play a twofold role as both predator and prey. Mature specimens feed on small fish, crustaceans, and plankton. As these panfish grow to a full length of around 8 – 12 inches (20 – 30.5 cm), they are hunted by many larger freshwater fish species, waterfowl, and aquatic reptiles.

10) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

One of the most important species of panfish throughout its native range, the bluegill is a crucial component of many productive freshwater systems with complex food webs. This diurnal feeder subsists on a wide range of food types, including aquatic vegetation, algae, insects, crustaceans, and snails.

Able to grow quickly, this highly fecund species produces large populations. In pristine systems, these are controlled by the presence of predators, such as largemouth bass, pike, catfish, walleye, waterfowl, and small mammals.

Perhaps the most commonly caught sunfish in Indiana and its neighboring states, the bluegill is a great target for beginners. Amateur anglers will find this species practically everywhere, including artificial ponds and impoundments. The state manages local populations by stocking their predators, controlling the growth of vegetation, and conducting lake drawdowns.

11) Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens)

Also known as “sheepshead” due to its dorsal hump, the freshwater drum is a member of the Sciaenidae family. This taxon is known for making grunting and croaking noises using internal vibrations. Sexually mature males of this species, in particular, have muscles that come into contact with their swim bladders, creating an audible reverberation that may have a purpose during the spawning period.

Found in Indiana’s lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, the freshwater drum favors clear freshwater systems with sandy or gravelly bottoms at depths of at least 30 feet (9 meters) or more. Its diet is chiefly composed of insect larvae, mussels, crayfish, and other benthic macroinvertebrates. Wherever it has well-established populations, it serves as an important forage fish for larger predators.

12) Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus)

Superficially, the smallmouth buffalo resembles the common carp. It’s easy to tell them apart, however, as the former lacks the carp’s distinctive set of barbels. Typically grey to brown, with a pale yellow or white underside, this member of the Catostomidae or sucker family favors clear streams with moderately fast-moving waters. As it has a hump to complement its hefty build, it can be described as a stocky fish.

A facultative “benthivore”, the smallmouth buffalo prefers to stay close to sandy or silty bottoms with aquatic vegetation. It uses its mouth to gather detritus, organic matter, and algae that may be sticking to the surface of sediment particles. In the process, it may also consume small invertebrates, like zooplankton, freshwater crustaceans, and larvae.

13) Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

Naturally distributed throughout the Great Lakes, lake trout is one of the largest species in its genus of chars. Able to grow to an impressive length of about 50 – 60 inches (1.3 – 1.5 meters), it was once heavily harvested by commercial fishers for its high-quality meat. Some of its native populations have been severely compromised by overfishing and are thus now protected under local regulations and treatises. Another reason for its widespread decline was the introduction of sea lampreys, which can attack trout in a parasitic manner.

Intentionally introduced into other parts of the US as a sport fish, lake trout favor cool and clean waters with a considerable depth. Those that are found in stream systems require the presence of riffle zones and pools, which they use for spawning. To distinguish them from other trout species, look closely at their anatomy and coloration. Lake trout have deeply forked tails, greenish-black backs, and yellow, irregularly shaped spots.

14) Sauger (Sander canadensis)

Once widespread throughout a significant portion of the US and Canada, the sauger is now restricted to a limited range due to habitat fragmentation. This migratory perciform was once able to travel throughout a range of connected freshwater habitats in search of spawning and feeding grounds. The creation of dams and artificial diversions has restricted their populations to within rivers, particularly those with deep pools.

With a morphology that resembles that of the walleye, the sauger has a fusiform shape. Its streamlined form allows it to quickly swim through currents as it chases after its prey. Paired dorsal fins aid in its rapid movements, allowing it to feed on smaller fish whenever they are available. In the absence of forage fish, saugers feed on insect larvae and other benthic invertebrates.

15) Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)

One of the most well-known minnows throughout its native range, the golden shiner is an important forage fish. It is often deliberately stocked into freshwater systems to meet the dietary needs of larger predators. Golden shiners are also intentionally cultured in hatcheries as they make for fantastic baitfish. Black basses, walleyes, gars, pikes, waterfowl, and small mammals are known for targeting their shoals.

As suggested by its common name, this minnow tends to have iridescent, silvery coloration, making it glimmer under light. Only its larger individuals eventually develop golden hues. Though they prefer to stay in calm and quiet waters, such as ponds and lakes, their tolerance for pollutants has facilitated their spread into turbid and oxygen-poor environments.

16) Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus)

As suggested by its common name, the longnose sucker has a distinctly lengthy snout – measuring up to a third of its full body length. On the ventral tip of this snout is a specialized suction disc that allows it to latch onto large substrates. This adaptation is especially handy in fast currents, where other fish may struggle to maintain their position or swim against the direction of water flow.

Wherever its populations are found, the longnose sucker plays a crucial role as a bottom-feeding fish. Its feeding habits aid in the maintenance of optimal water conditions. Despite its preference for algae and detritus, it may also occasionally consume fish eggs, snails, and insects. For this reason, its populations may compete with those of other sport fishes.

17) Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

The alewife differs from many of Indiana’s common fishes as some of its populations maintain an anadromous lifestyle. This means that they are capable of venturing into saltwater environments to feed. Once they reach sexual maturity, they move inland through estuaries and migrate further upstream to breed. In the 1950s, populations that invaded the Great Lakes system via Ontario’s Welland Canal competed with many native freshwater fish species and unfortunately compromised their survival.

Noticeably deep-bodied, the alewife grows to about 7.2 inches (18.3 cm). In terms of its morphology, it looks remarkably similar to the blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), a close cousin that may also migrate into coastal rivers. The alewife has silvery flanks and cheeks, much like other shads, but it is usually distinguished from them by its larger eyes and its light peritoneal markings.

18) Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

Valuable as a sport fish and as a commercial source of high-quality proteins, lake whitefish is one of the most commonplace food fishes in the US. With processed fillets found across groceries all throughout the Great Lakes region, this species is extremely important to inland fishery industries. Hundreds of metric tons of lake whitefish used to be harvested annually. Fishing rates have since dwindled due to the decline of many local populations, largely due to the presence of sea lampreys and the ill effects of overexploitation.

In Indiana, anglers head to Lake Michigan to catch trophy-sized lake whitefish. So far, the state record is a 9.34-pound (4.2 kg) fish caught in a section of the lake close to Porter County. This species is best targeted by anglers in November to April, when water temperatures remain cool and rarely rise to more than 50˚F (10˚C).

19) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

Also known as the raccoon perch, ringed perch, striped perch, and coontail, the yellow perch is a fairly common species throughout the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. Introduced further west as a sport fish and ideal forage species for commercially important lake fare, it is now found in both natural and artificial water features. Its subpopulations tend to be most dense in small ponds with relatively few predators.

The diet of yellow perch is largely dependent on their size and on the availability of invertebrate prey. Juveniles can subsist on zooplankton and insect larvae. Eventually, they become large enough to feed on fish eggs, other juvenile fish, and small crustaceans. They tend to congregate in schools around aquatic vegetation, where they are more likely to find food and cover from potential predators.

20) Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorhynchus)

As the shovelnose sturgeon is naturally found in Indiana’s waters, it is not intentionally stocked by the state. To ensure that its numbers are not decimated by recreational anglers, there are strict limits on harvest sizes. Moreover, if they intend to commercially harvest this species’ roe, fishers need to obtain special permits. Thankfully, this seemingly prehistoric fish continues to be quite common in the state’s White and Wabash rivers.

Though this bottom feeder maintains a principally sedentary lifestyle, it is capable of migrating over great distances during an average lifespan of about 30 years. Healthy, fully-grown specimens tend to measure around 21 inches (53 cm) long.

21) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

The Chinook salmon is an anadromous species with an inland range that is mostly restricted to the west coast of North America. Due to the need for predatory species in the Great Lakes region, largely due to the damage caused by invasive alewife populations, it was intentionally stocked as a means of biological control. To the delight of local anglers, it now has established populations in Lake Michigan.

In marine environments, the Chinook salmon has a silvery flank and a whitish abdomen. This outer appearance drastically changes as it prepares to migrate inland and spawn. Males tend to develop deeper coloration and curved jaws. As the females become increasingly more aggressive, the largest males become more dominant and have the highest chances of reproductive success.

22) Bowfin (Amia calva)

Set apart by its elongated body, rounded tailfin, and the quintessential black spot close to its tail, the bowfin is quite common in Indiana’s waters. One of its most interesting adaptations, which is often seen in primitive fishes, is its capacity to use its swim bladder as a makeshift lung. In low oxygen conditions, it can survive (for a brief period) by filling this organ with oxygen at the water’s surface.

Adult bowfins tend to measure anywhere between 15 – 27 inches (38 – 69 cm). This ambush predator thrives on forage fish, aquatic insects, amphibians, and the occasional reptile. It is often mistaken for the snakehead (Channa argus), an exotic, invasive species that shares its general shape. Fortunately, despite sharing some habitat preferences, the snakehead has not been spotted in Indiana.

23) Grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus)

The grass pickerel is readily found in Indiana’s vegetated lakes and clear streams. It looks quite similar to two other native pikes – the muskellunge (E. masquinongy) and the northern pike (E. lucius). The distribution of these three species tends to overlap, so they share similar habitat and prey types. Compared to the other two, however, the grass pickerel generally grows to smaller mature sizes (up to 10 – 12 inches or 25 – 30 cm) and has an angled, dark-colored bar beneath its eye on each side.

A skilled predator, this particular pike expertly blends in with vertical vegetation. In sluggish waterbodies, it patiently moves through weeds in search of smaller fish. In turn, it is targeted by larger predators, like black basses and bowfins.

24) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

The smallmouth bass looks remarkably similar to the largemouth bass, except, of course, for its comparably reduced gape. More streamlined and fusiform in shape, it is a powerful swimmer and an apex predator. Prized by sport fishers all across the continent, it is known for being one of the most formidable fighters on the line. Determined fishers are likely to catch sizeable specimens in Indiana’s clear creeks, rivers, and lakes.

The presence of smallmouth bass in the state’s waters is usually deemed as a good sign, especially as this species is partial to unpolluted environments. It thrives best in cool, highly-oxygenated areas with a diverse bottom structure and an assortment of prey types. Its favorite treats include smaller fish, crayfish, amphibians, and aquatic insects.

25) American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)

Possibly the world’s only extant paddlefish species, P. spathula is one of Indiana’s more fascinating freshwater creatures. This primitive, ray-finned fish is set apart by its elongated rostrum and its predominantly cartilaginous skeleton. Despite its morphological resemblance to freshwater sharks, it is not closely related to them. Another major difference between this species and sharks is its preference for zooplankton, which is its main source of nutrients.

The American paddlefish tends to be restricted to markedly large river systems. It can grow to a maximum length of about 7 feet (2.1 meters) long. Once commercially harvested for its meat and eggs, which were sold as caviar, its populations are now classified by the IUCN as ‘Vulnerable’. As wild populations cannot be fished freely, this species is increasingly being farmed to meet local demand.