Fish of the Week!

Latest Episodes:

Bluegill: The Gateway Fish May 29, 2023

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A sunny fish with a pan-shaped profile, the Bluegill is an excellent "gateway" fish into fishing! Their widespread abundance and ease of being fooled makes this tasty fish a great target for fishing newbs. They're also fantastically fun on the fly or with ultralight gear for the more experienced angler. Guest Alex McCrickard from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Sam Stukel from our Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery are guests.

The Colorado River's Mega Minnow (Colorado Pikeminnow!) May 22, 2023

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Take a step back in time and imagine the possibility of casting a bird or rabbit into the Ovaltine-colored water of the Colorado River and reeling in a six foot long toothless, predatory fish with Mick Jagger lips: the now-Endangered Colorado Pikeminnow. We walk through history and into the present day challenges facing recovery of North America's largest Cyprinid with guests Eliza Gilbert and Dale Ryden from our New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office and Grand Junction Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office.

The Man-Sized "Megafishes" May 15, 2023

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Dive in with the world's largest freshwater fishes on a special "megafish" episode. Our guest is Zeb Hogan: big fish enthusiast, researcher, author, host of National Geographic's Monster Fish, and director of Wonders of the Mekong Project. From American Paddlefish to Mekong Giant Catfish, we cover the array of freshwater fishes that reach lengths over six feet or weigh more than 200 pounds.

Something Fishy: Freshwater Mussels May 08, 2023

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Is it a fish? A lure? Why is it attached to that freshwater mussel?? There's something fishy about the Unionid mussel family, and we're going to help you "flex" into the idea that these seemingly simple bivalves can dupe fish into babysitting! Our guest is mussel biologist Sara Seagraves from Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery in Arkansas. You'll take away mussel names like "snuffbox" and "monkeyface" and a new appreciation for the fascinating relationship between native freshwater mussels and fish.

Tuna: a Hawaiian Perspective May 01, 2023

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From pre-contact times to today, tuna have interacted with the people of Hawaii. William Aila shares his knowledge about traditional and contemporary fishing techniques and dishes, management and conservation. This episode offers a window into the lives of these fish in the Pacific Ocean, cultural connections to them, and a local perspective of a globally significant group of fishes.

Ancient Eats: Royal Lamprey Pie! Apr 24, 2023

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If you travel from Alaska to the Eastern Seaboard and across the pond to England, you're in lamprey country! Lampreys are an important First Food for Indigenous peoples and have a rich history across their native and invasive range. This episode is all about the famous royal lamprey pies of Gloucester, a rather recent connection to the North American Great Lakes, and a prelude to the coronation of Charles the Third.

Roanoke Logperch Apr 17, 2023

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You'll love this aloof little fish with the bulbous, piggy snout. Roanoke Logperches are built for rooting around and flipping things over in search of food. This episode covers everything from cuter-than-baby-Yoda juvenile logperches and their precarious habitats to headwater piracy (!) and the Endangered Species Act. Special shout out to the Roanoke Basin endemics and near endemics (this place is a hotspot!). Guest Jamie Roberts from Georgia Southern University enthusiastically shares his knowledge and love for this fish.

4/1/2024 update: Based on a review of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the Roanoke Logperch is no longer at risk of extinction and has announced a proposal remove this species from endangered species list. This proposal is largely a result of successful Roanoke Logperch surveys and aquatic-restoration projects led by the Service and its partners.

River Herring Return: A Spring Wonder Apr 10, 2023

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Do you like eagles and ospreys? Seals? Striped bass, bluefish and tuna? Add alewives and blueback herring to your list (collectively called "river herring"). A seasonal food for the masses, tens of millions of these shimmery, migratory fish used to return to New England's freshwaters. Our guests are Steve Gephard and Jaime Masterson.

Herbivore and More: The Chiselmouth! Apr 03, 2023

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Meet a lesser-known (but not less cool) Pacific Northwest fish with a unique face and primarily herbivorous feeding behavior. Chiselmouth enthusiast Denny Lassuy and fisherman/author Matt Miller to help us dig into Chiselmouth ecology and how to catch one.

Mexican Tetra: Surface Swimming to Spelunking Mar 27, 2023

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Beautiful on the surface and fascinating underground, the Mexican Tetra has an incredible story as told by our guests Dr. Paty Ornelas from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp from the San Antonio Zoo!

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