This highly migratory fish moves north from the mid-Atlantic area during the spring and back southward during the fall, spending roughly the months of May through October feeding on whatever food it can find including river herring, crabs, lobsters, menhaden, and silversides. Coloration is a sea-green on the back, fading down the sides to a silvery color on the belly. , American Shad Scientific Name: Alosa sapidissima, Common Names: American shad, Atlantic shad, The American shad is an anadromous fish that enters the tributaries to spawn in early spring. These fish are known to put up a good fight, and their tasty, white meat is well worth the effort. Since bluefish run in schools, when you catch one, you will often catch several more soon afterwards. Notable characteristics are the long spine on the first dorsal fin and a barbel on the chin. Chunks of pogies (menhaden), mackerel, herring and live eels are good baits. , The three skate species that occur in connecticut coastal waters are the longnose, clearnose, and common. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less. Atlantic croaker has an inferior mouth (bottom feeder) with 3 to 5 pairs of small barbels on the chin. Size: 24 × 36" Thirty-six species illustrated by Flick Ford with astounding fidelity and reproduced in relative scale. Enter the king of Panfish. Juveniles go through four color phases: (1) light gray with small dark spots; (2) dark with pale white spots; (3) striped with a horizontal dark stripe; and (4) barred having 6 vertical stripes. Gars are considered to be a remnant of a group of bony fish that flourished in the Mesozoic, and are most closely related to the bowfin. The dust jacket is missing. ; Subcategories. It is an anadromous fish species, meaning that it spawns in freshwater portions of rivers but spends most of its life at sea. The American eel has a life history strategy that is different from all of the other diadromous species in North America. The blackback is a rightsided flounder, which means the dark-colored side where the eyes are located occurs on the right side of the fish. Catching Striped Bass: Striped bass can be taken from shore and from a boat while casting, trolling and drifting. It has two dorsal fins: the first one is composed of seven to eight short spines; it is followed by a second dorsal fin that is twice as high, made of soft rays, and is similar in appearance to the anal fin. Freshwater Gamefish of North America Poster Joseph R. Tomelleri. Three quarters of the dorsal fin is supported by spines. The Atlantic Salmon has remained a popular fish for human consumption. Eels have a delicious flavor and may be taken easily when descending rivers to spawn in the spring, in tide-water using worms or during the open water season by bottom fishing at night with almost any kind of bait., Sea Robin Scientific Name: Prionotus carolinus, Sea robins are elongated fish with armoured, bony heads and two dorsal fins. No matter which coast you’re on or which lake you’re near, there’s a humble ecosystem of amazing creatures. Catching Bluefish: Most bluefish caught in Connecticut range between 18 and 36 inches, although occasionally anglers may encounter a school of “snapper blues” (young fish less than 12 inches long). All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. In two years, bluefish will grow to about 18 inches and be sexually mature. Light to medium tackle rods are used, equipped with 1- or 2-ounce weights and long-shank flounder hooks attached to “spreaders.” In most instances, lures are ineffective in catching flounder; bait is best. Scup winter along the mid and outer continental shelf. Effective flies include Clouser minnows and foam-bodied poppers. If you catch one, you’re in for a treat; they make a great-tasting meal. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. Large conical teeth at the front of the mouth recede to flat crushing teeth used for eating hard-shelled prey. Eels are very tolerant of adverse water conditions and can live out of water for an extended period of time. , White perch Scientific Name: Morone americana, The white perch is a small schooling fish caught in Connecticut. Fossilized gars have been found in Europe, India, South America, and North America, indicating that in times past, these fish had a wider distribution than they do today. I’ll separate each species according to it’s taxonomy. Stripers caught in Connecticut range from 10 to more than 50 inches in length, and can weigh in excess of 50 pounds. One of the larger members of the family of drums and croakers — which includes the spotted seatrout and weakfish of the Atlantic Coast — the white seabass is one of the most coveted saltwater prizes among anglers from northern Baja to central California. , Blue Crab Scientific Name: Callinectes sapidus, Common Names:Atlantic Blue Crab, Chesapeake Blue Crab, The blue crab is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and introduced internationally. Regardless of the equipment or the technique, wire leaders are a must: bluefish have sharp teeth that can easily cut through most monofilament lines. Although catches of that size have dwindled in the past 15 years. They are fished for by commercial and recreational fishermen. And since 1900, at least 57 species of freshwater fish in North America have gone extinct . , Windowpane Flounder Scientific Name: Scophthalmus aquosus, Common Names: sand flounder, sand dab, spotted flounder, The windowpane flounder, named for its thin, almost translucent rounded body, is a year-round resident of Connecticut’s shallow and sandy coastal waters. Since they lack an air bladder, northern kingfish do not make typical “drumming” sounds like other members of the drum family, but they can vocalize somewhat by grinding their pharyngeal (throat) teeth. Spinning for Fresh and Salt Water Fish of North America by McClane, A. J A readable copy. Fly fishing, spinning or trolling with bait are all good methods for catching bluefish. Dark, irregular bars are present along the body of the fish. , Cunner Scientific Name: Tautogolabrus adspersus, Common Names: perch, ocean perch, blue perch, bergall, chogset, The cunner is a year-round resident of coastal Connecticut and can generally be found in shallow waters around rocks and eelgrass. This beautifully illustrated title focuses on fish that attract naturalists, photographers, artists, and anglers alike. Anglers can distinguish shad from river herring by the presence of four to six dusky spots running along the body behind the gills. The Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River estuaries contain the major spawning and nursery areas for East Coast striped bass. Picture Peddler Laminated Salt Water Game Fish of North America Educational Reference Chart Print Poster 24x36 4.5 out of 5 stars 30. Warning to some though, things are about to get nerdy. The striped bass is currently the most sought-after coastal sportfish species in Connecticut. Poster. Select from the fish species below to add recipes, comments, photos and more! Average length is 6 to 10 inches. When the temperature warms in the spring they migrate inshore. The head is short, with a small, inferior mouth (bottom feeder). , Little Tunny(false albacore) Scientific Name: Euthynnus alletteratus, The little tunny is both the most common and the smallest of tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. , Tomcod Scientific Name: Microgadus tomcod, The tomcod is a winter and early spring species often caught by accident while fishing for winter flounder. At sea, the European and North American types are known to intermingle. This small shark species is easily identified by its slender body, flattened head and rough slate gray skin. 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They will readily take minnows and sandworms when they are presented. The bluefish has a stout body, a forked tail and a large mouth with numerous large sharp teeth. I thought grouper and snapper would have been on there above bluefish and striped bass (which is probably true for Florida, but not the rest of America). The tomcod is distinguishable from cod by its elongate pelvic rays, rounded tail and dark mottling on its back and sides. A set of 12–15 dark streaks run obliquely from the dorsal surface down the sides to about mid-body. Steelhead, the anadromous form of rainbow trout, are economically important as a commercial fishery and culturally important to Native American Tribes. In freshwater, White Perch can be hit and miss – either there’s a bunch of them or none at all. A member of the bass family, it is distinguishable from striped bass by the lack of prominent lateral stripes and its generally smaller size. Several dark, lateral stripes, reaching from the gills to the base of the tail, are the most prominent features distinguishing the striped bass from other coastal species. Juvenile tomcod are attracted to the shallow eelgrass which are prime nursery grounds for this species. At any rate, cool to see these most popular game fish. Along the American Atlantic, the common sea robin is noted for its sound production. The color is highly variable and can change to mimic the bottom habitat. Weakfish spawn in the spring in Connecticut’s coastal estuaries and back bays. Freshwater Fish of America. After spawning, blackbacks in Connecticut remain offshore in cooler waters. Receive 10% off when ordering 10 or more of this item. Illustrator: Flick Ford Publisher: Scott & Nix, Inc. They are among the most mainstream North American fish. Spawning typically takes place during April and May in the freshwater tributaries of these estuaries. They are a great fighting fish on light tackle. Winter flounder populations occur in most bays and estuaries, from Newfoundland down to Chesapeake Bay. The American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is a species of anadromous clupeid fish naturally distributed on the North American coast of the North Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Florida, and as an introduced species on the North Pacific coast. Dorsal coloration is greenish-blue to blue and blends into a silvery belly. Northern kingfish are part of the drum family, which also includes weakfish, spot, Atlantic croaker, red drum and black drum. Pacific halibut are the biggest flatfish in the sea. Click a species name to jump to a description: Common Names: striper, rockfish, rock, linesider. , American Eel Scientific Name: Anguilla rostrata, Found nearly everywhere in New England, the American Eel lives in fresh water but spawns in salt water, in the Sargasso Sea of the Atlantic Ocean. All females are sexually mature at a size of 14 inches (generally 2 or 3 years old). Marked by a small mouth and several rows of jaw teeth, this buck-toothed fish feeds on various invertebrates. North American coastlines are home to hundreds of species of resident and migrant saltwater fishes. , Dogfish Scientific Name: Squalus acanthias, Common Names: piked dogfish, grayfish, spiny dogfish, The dogfish is frequently encountered by anglers and people fishing from party or charter boats. White perch have spines on the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. Fish Farming: Salt Water Aquafarming And Aquaculture In North America Posted on December 30, 2018 by Chloe Jenkins Aquafarming is a form of aquaculture that allows farmers to raise fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and other aquatic lifeforms in either fresh or saltwater habitats. In Connecticut, winter flounder begin moving into the bays and estuaries from offshore areas during late winter in preparation for spawning, which occurs in April or May in Connecticut. These fish are native to the Mississippi River Basin and have been known to move more than 2000 miles in a river system. The best time to catch bluefish in Connecticut waters is from the end of May to the end of October. Anglers can fish for flounder from jetties, piers and bridges, but those fishing from boats near the mouths of estuaries and harbors are more successful. It is distinguished from other right-sided flounder by its very small mouth, relatively flat lateral line and the presence of scales between the eyes. The American eel inhabits marine, estuarine and fresh water habitats just like many other diadromous species. The world record striped bass was caught in Connecticut waters and weighed 81.88 lbs. It is less than desirable on the table with the flesh being coarse in texture and strong in “fishy” flavor. Salt water Notes African jewelfish: Hemichromis bimaculatus: African pompano: Alectis ciliaris: Also known as the pennant-fish and threadfin trevally. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2019 Agency Regulatory Plan.2019 Agency Regulatory Plan. Weakfish are also known by the American Indian name “Squeteague”. It's a great way to keep informed about your favorite fish species. After a few months, the young bluefish migrate shoreward into the coastal estuaries. This beautifully illustrated title focuses on fish that attract naturalists, photographers, artists, and anglers alike. Shad may be taken by anglers using artificial lures and spinning rods or with fly fishing gear. Covering both freshwater and saltwater species of fish, this fully revised edition brings a new level of accuracy and usefulness to the National Audubon Society's acclaimed field guides. Anglers can catch them from a boat or from shore on rocky outcroppings, jetties, bridges and piers. Explore near-shore species such as striped bass and salmon and offshore species like marlin, tuna and swordfish with this guide to 36 species. Their larvae end up in inshore waters, along the coast and in estuarine areas. Most tautog fishing occurs in the spring and fall. , Common Names: blackback, Georges Bank flounder, lemon sole, sole, flatfish, mud dab. Adults can reach 8 to 10 inches in length and weigh up to 1 pound. Live or natural baits are effective, especially live eels, pogies (menhaden), and chunks of mackerel, squid or herring. Females become sexually mature by 18 inches in length. 4.9 out of 5 stars 29. Body color is typically bluish-gray dorsally, fading to golden yellow or yellow-tan ventrally. Yellow Perch. Commonly caught while fishing for other species, anglers consider them to be a nuisance. It is sexually mature by 4 inches in length. It is highly sought after as a sport fish due to its line rips and hard fighting ability when hooked. Certain to stand among the reference books of choice for anyone interested in the continent’s aquatic ecosystems, Freshwater Fishes of North America covers the ecology, morphology, reproduction, distribution, behavior, taxonomy, conservation, and fossil record of each North American fish family. Found nearly everywhere in New England, the American Eel lives in fresh water but spawns in salt water, in the Sargasso Sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Average adults may weigh from 2 to 5 pounds, and all females are sexually mature at 17 inches in length. Most anglers fishing for these toothy flounder will use minnows, mummichugs, squid, mackerel, and menhaden. However, the America eel is not an anadromous species of fish. The bluefish is most abundant from Cape Cod south to Argentina. Another very common bottom fish in coastal waters of the Atlantic which has both commercial and recreational importance. The dorsal fin – and sometimes the anal and pectoral fins – has white lines or splotches. Adult sea herring are sexually mature at 12 inches and rarely exceed 19 inches in length. The striped bass is the state fish of Maryland, Rhode Island, and South Carolina, and the state saltwater (marine) fish of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and New Hampshire. $9.79. The sides have a faint silvery hue with dusky specks, and the belly is white. This turns anglers towards more reliable table fare. Of the 3 or so different types of flounders occurring in Connecticut waters, the winter flounder (or blackback) is by far the flounder species most commonly caught by recreational anglers. Most anglers targeting them will fish with brine shrimp, grass shrimp, and sandworms. Most weigh less than 1 pound, measure less than 12 inches, and primarily occur in estuaries and tidal rivers. The head and back of this fish are dark brown in color with a greenish tinge. The American alligator ranges from coastal North Carolina to southern Florida west to central Texas. , Monkfish Scientific Name: Lophius americanus, The monkfish is a unique-looking species difficult to confuse with other coastal Connecticut fishes. They are, however, easily distinguished from other saltwater species by their flattened bodies and large wing-like pectoral fins. Common Names:Eel, Unagi. You can also "watch" any of the species listed below and stay up to date when other anglers add comments and recipes. Effective lures include the spoons, poppers, lead-head jigs and swimming plugs. 7. An 8- to 10-foot surf rod and reel spooled with 30- pound test or a medium to heavy spinning rod with 12- to 20-pound test line is preferable, depending on fishing location. From Sockeye to King, Masu to Danube, Lake Trout to Arctic Char, Brown Trout to Cutthroat, Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and many more, this poster gives you pictures of each fish … Each scale has a light blue-white center, creating stripes along the back and sides. At 2 to 3 years of age, they mature. The history of the striped bass fishery in North America dates back to the Colonial period. Coloration is dark green to black dorsally, mottling to a lighter background color on the sides. North America. Atlantic Salmon reproduce in coastal rivers of northeastern North America, Iceland, Europe, and northwestern Russia. It has a laterally compressed body with a sharp saw-edged belly and a deeply forked tail. , Hickory Shad Scientific Name: Alosa mediocris, Hickory shad is an member of the herring family, ranging along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to the Gulf of Maine. During the winter they are generally inactive, buried in the mud. Around 40 percent of North American freshwater fish species have become imperiled in recent decades. We’ve created a helpful list of different kinds of fish of North America, from the humble catfish to the rare golden trout to the beautiful giant oarfish! Chumming is a common tactic for attracting flounder to the location you are fishing. Equipment will vary depending on the type of fishing preferred. They can be caught with mummichugs, minnows, sandworms, squid and clams. Bluefish spawn in the offshore areas of the continental shelf in two major locations: southern Florida to North Carolina in the spring, and the mid-Atlantic to southern New England in the summer. , Tautog(blackfish) Scientific Name: Tautoga onitis, Common Name: blackfish, tautog, white chin, The tautog is a stout fish with a blunt nose and thick lips. Popular striped bass fishing spots include shorelines, bridges or docks with nearby drop offs, holes, or strong currents. It’s time to go fish! Favorite baits for flounder include clam worms, blood worms and clams. The American paddlefish is a migratory species. After migrating to offshore waters to spawn during the fall and winter, summer flounder travel into Connecticut’s bays, estuaries and near shore areas during the summer. Adults rarely exceed 1 pound and all females are sexually mature at 12 inches in length. The Atlantic menhaden is popular for use as live or dead bait. Unlike the river herring, which travels into freshwater for annual spawning, the Atlantic herring spends its entire life at sea. Other saltwater fish species found in North American include various unrelated species, from the huge and awkward ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and the large bass species to smaller perch species. Effective flies include streamers that look like bait fish. Striped Bass fishing over the years has started to decline again so the amfc along with the state’s themselves are in the process of implementing new regulations on them. Saltwater Game Fish of North America (Pocket Fish Identification Guide®) Explore near-shore species such as striped bass and salmon and offshore species like marlin, tuna and swordfish with this guide to 36 species. It is found along the entire Connecticut coastline. From the nearshore species like striped bass, tarpon, salmon and bluefish, to the giant offshore exotics including marlin, sailfish, tunas and swordfish, this beautifully illustrated, pocket-sized reference guide highlights 36 of the most popular and sought-after species. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The bluefish is a favorite quarry of recreational anglers along the Atlantic coast because of its great fighting ability and its schooling behavior. , Bluefish Scientific Name: Pomatomus saltatrix, Common Names: snappers, harbors, tailors, choppers, gators. $18.99. This category has the following 11 subcategories, out of 11 total. North American coastlines are home to hundreds of species of resident and migrant saltwater fishes. The monkfish is often caught incidentally by anglers using live bait in search of other groundfish. Skates are caught year-round both from shore and from boats fishing in offshore areas, though most landings occur in spring and fall. Of these, a choice few are the target of anglers and skippers seeking the ultimate battle with some of nature's largest and most beautiful game fish. They are commonly caught while jigging for summer flounder using squid, minnows, and mummichugs. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Until spring when they start their spawning. A particularly good one is Lefty’s Deceiver. Steelhead are one of the top five recreational fish species in North America. They will eat any bait thrown for other species. Upon checkout, discounts for all items are added together and collectively subtracted from the total. Adults average 1 to 3 pounds, maximum size of 25 lbs and are sexually mature at 10 inches in length. , Atlantic Croaker Scientific Name: Micropogonias undulatus, Atlantic croaker is a silvery-pink fish that makes a loud “croaking” sound. The American eel is catadromous. We’ve provided a look into 42 species of freshwater fish—including largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, northern pike, trout, and more! Eels are very tolerant of adverse water conditions and can live out of water for an extended period of time. These are commonly the best times to fish for them. American Eel Scientific Name: Anguilla rostrata. Adult dogfish generally weigh 7 to 10 pounds and all females are sexually mature by the time they are 36 inches long. Halibut incline toward rough bottoms where they snare nourishment. A light to medium action rod is perfect with 10-15 lb test line. It spends most of the year in estuarine waters, migrating to brackish or fresh water to reproduce in late March and early April. You can learn the natural history for each species as well as some cool facts. They also have the ability to move through brackish water where freshwater and salt water mix together. Whether you're chasing sailfish in South Florida, targeting redfish off the Louisiana coast or hoping to catch tarpon in Mexico, this hub has all travel content related to saltwater fishing in North America and Mexico. Females are sexually mature at 19 inches in length. For lure fishermen they will throw swedish pimples, and kastmasters. Black Sea Bass are phenomenal table fare and are readily targeted by anglers. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. When spin fishing, a medium- to heavy-duty rod with 10- to 40-pound test line is recommended. A full-bodied fish, the striped bass is bluish to dark olive dorsally, with a silvery belly and sides. Then the smolts migrate through various parts of the North Atlantic Ocean. Saltwater Game Fish of North America (Pocket Fish Identification Guide®). In the Middle Atlantic Bight, scup spawn along the inner continental shelf. , Northern Kingfish Scientific Name: Menticirrhus saxatilis, The northern kingfish is popular with many saltwater anglers, and it’s no wonder. Summer fishing for tautog is virtually non existent, and the winter months finds the tautog going dormant. So far I’ve caught 16 of them. One distinguishing feature is the elongated tail-filament. Yellow Perch are one of the most popular freshwater species in North America. The striped bass has a large mouth and sharp, stiff spines located on the gill covers, anterior dorsal fin and anal fin. These tend to fade with age. The American shad is … During the spring however, large schools of adults migrate up into the coast. Of these, a choice few are the target of anglers and skippers seeking the ultimate battle with some of nature's largest and most beautiful game fish. , Fishing Northeast created by FNE Web Design, Fly-tying Weekend Series Presented by Legends BNB Lodge, Fishing Northeast's 2019 Ice Gala Tournament. Scup grow as large as 18″ and weigh 3 to 4 lb, but they average 1/2 – 1 lb. In North Carolina, they inhabit freshwater areas mostly east of Robeson County northward to Gates County. Effective artificial lures for casting or trolling include poppers, spoons and plugs. When the water starts to cool in the fall blackbacks migrate to the bays, harbors and near shore areas. Swimming lures and drifted bait are effective for catching bluefish. Pacific halibut are regular along the Northwest shore of the USA and Canada. Its enormous mouth and head make up nearly half of the body; the posterior half is flat and dark brown/gray dorsally. Fly fishing for stripers has become increasingly popular in recent years. The body is elongate and laterally compressed, and its head is relatively small and pointed. Its color will vary with the background of its habitat. They can weigh up to 500 – 700 pounds and can grow up to 9 feet long. 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The origin of its name is based on the weakness of the mouth muscles, which often cause a hook to tear free, allowing the fish to escape. , Scup(porgy) Scientific Name: Stenotomus chrysops, The scup, commonly called porgy, is a fish which occurs primarily in the Atlantic from Massachusetts to South Carolina. Almost all females are mature by the time they reach 36 inches in length and 5 to 9 years in age. The largest populations live in the coastal counties of Brunswick, New Hanover, Craven, Columbus, Onslow and Pender. , Atlantic Menhaden(bunker) Scientific Name: Brevoortia tyrannus, Common Names:Menhaden, Mossbunker, Bunker and Pogy, Menhaden is a silvery, highly compressed fish in the herring family. Today I’ll start in freshwater with the sunfishes, family Centrarchidae, which has 8 genera, and 28 species native to North America. The most beautiful and popular saltwater gamefish in the world—from striped bass, redfish, bonefish, and false albacore to yellowfin tuna, stri Pacific Northwest Steelhead: As one of the top sport fish in North America, steelhead – or anadromous rainbow trout – inspire an almost cult-like following by Pacific Northwest steelheaders looking for another fix of the potion that writer Chris Santella has described as the "tug is the drug. Personally, I was surprised to see the bluefish in the top 5 most popular saltwater fish. Coloration may be pale brown or olive-green with a scattering of irregularly shaped small brown spots. Traveling in schools, dogfish are year round residents of long island sound. Fins are typically pale yellow in color. Cunners and tautog are the only wrasse species in Connecticut waters. The freshwater and marine Fish which are native—indigenous to North America and its adjacent oceans and seas. The weakfish grows to about 36 inches in length and 20 lbs in weight. Mature males have vivid blue-green around and above the eyes and on top of the head. Summer is one of the best times to saltwater fish in west coast states due to the warming water temperatures, the migration patterns of several offshore sport fish species, and the availability of prey such as squid, anchovies, sardines, or crabs. , Black Sea Bass Scientific Name: Centropristis striata, Common Names:Common names: Black sea bass, black bass, humpback (larger males), rock bass, sea bass, pinbass, Size: Up to 25 inches long, commonly 11-12 inches long Color: Typically blue-black dorsally, fading to a slightly paler color on the belly. , Summer Flounder(fluke) Scientific Name: Paralichthys dentatus, The summer flounder is a left-sided flounder that is distinguished by the presence of 10 to 14 eye-like spots on its body and a large mouth that extends beyond the eyes which contain rows of very sharp teeth. Bluefish are caught by anglers fishing the entire shoreline. Alewife: Alosa pseudoharengus: Alligator gar: Atractosteus spatula: Largest exclusively freshwater fish found in North America, measuring 8 to 10 feet. , Atlantic Herring Scientific Name: Clupea harengus, Atlantic herring (sea herring) travel in large schools, feed on plankton and migrate into Connecticut waters during the spring. In saltwater, there are usually bigger and tastier fish around. As a left-sided flatfish, it can be distinguished from the summer flounder by the fringed appearance of the first several rays of the dorsal fin. They will readily take any bait offered and are caught more in the spring and early fall. They are excellent table fare. NEW Resources for the Trail and Classroom®. North Carolina Fish Species List. Striped bass fishing is especially good during an evening or early morning tide, as stripers are nocturnal feeders. The shad is the largest member of the herring family to frequent Connecticut coastal waters. Sharp curved teeth and a lure-like elongate ray above the eyes make the monkfish an effective predator on other species – even sea birds. , Spot Scientific Name: Leiostomus xanthurus, Common Names:Norfolk Spot, Flat Croaker, Golden Croaker, Silver Gudgeon, Goody, Chub, Roach, Jimmy, Spot Croaker, Spot is one of the most common bottom fishes in coastal and estuarine waters of the Atlantic, and has both commercial and recreational importance. Closely related to the tautog, the cunner differs by a slimmer body, more pointed snout and thinner lips. The laminated fold-out format is perfect for use in the field under any weather conditions. From huge sharks to tiny sticklebacks, there are all kinds of fish in America! A small deep-bodied, compressed fish with an elevated (high) back. , Weakfish Scientific Name: Cynoscion regalis, A large, slender, marine fish, it is found along the east coast of North America. Tagging studies have shown that winter flounder generally return to the same estuaries to spawn year after year.. Catching Flounder: Fishing for flounder in Connecticut begins in May and generally continues through December.