Species Guides
US Fish Species Guides
Everything you need to know about popular US fish species: how to catch them, the best baits and tackle, seasonal calendars, US records, and where to find them.
Freshwater
Freshwater Fish
America’s most popular freshwater species, from largemouth bass and walleye to crappie and catfish.
Largemouth Bass
Season: May–October
Bait: Soft plastics (Zoom Trick Worm, Senko)
Smallmouth Bass
Season: April–October
Bait: Ned rigs (Z-Man TRD), tube jigs
Walleye
Season: March–June, September–November
Bait: Live leeches, nightcrawlers
Crappie
Season: March–May
Bait: Small jigs (1/16–1/32 oz) in chartreuse or white, live minnows under a bobber
Bluegill
Season: May–September
Bait: Live worms, crickets
Channel Catfish
Season: May–September
Bait: Chicken liver, nightcrawlers
Rainbow Trout
Season: March–June, September–November
Bait: Dry flies (Elk Hair Caddis, Adams)
Musky
Season: September–November
Bait: Large bucktails (Mepps Musky Killer, Double Cowgirl)
Steelhead
Season: October–April
Bait: Cured salmon eggs, beads
Saltwater
Saltwater Fish
Inshore and offshore species from redfish and snook to striped bass and more.
Redfish
Season: September–November
Bait: Gold spoons (Johnson Silver Minnow), soft plastics (Z-Man MinnowZ
Striped Bass
Season: April–June, September–November
Bait: Live bunker (menhaden), eels
Snook
Season: May–September
Bait: Live pilchards (scaled sardines), live shrimp
Mahi Mahi
Season: April–September
Bait: Live ballyhoo, pilchards
Tarpon
Season: April–July
Bait: Live crabs, live mullet
King Mackerel
Season: March–October
Bait: Live menhaden (pogies), cigar minnows
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