150 Fishes to Celebrate 150 Years
This list is still in progress and being added to weekly. Check back again soon!
150 Fishes to Celebrate 150 Years
In 2020, the American Fisheries Society will celebrate its 150th Anniversary. As part of the celebration, the Society will be calling attention to 150 fishes. We solicited nominations of fishes for the list by the Society’s membership.
The 150 Fishes list is a celebration of the biodiversity of freshwater and marine fishes of North America. These fishes will help tell the story of fish and fisheries of the continent. They may illustrate unique life histories, beauty, conservation issues, and challenges of managing and conserving these animals and their habitats. These fishes represent our native biodiversity, but also illustrates how invasives and our own human nature have had impacts on our aquatic resources. Hence, this list will primarily focus on native species but may include non-natives when they tell a compelling fisheries story. From the stories of these fishes, the Society and the public can learn to better appreciate these amazing natural resources and be challenged to ensure that future generations will be able to experience these fishes in their native settings.
Nomination Process
Fish nominations are now closed.
Circulation Process
The 150 Fishes list will reside at the 150th Anniversary Website, information about individual fish from the list will be circulated through various social media platforms throughout the year.
This list is meant to be a fun for members and informative for the public. It is unlikely we will be able to include all nominations. We acknowledge that every fish has a story. There may be opportunities to discuss all the nominated fishes in the future.
FULL LIST OF NOMINATED FISH
| Catchy Title | Pound for pound, the most fierce fighting fish around! |
|---|---|
| Common Name of Fish | Smallmouth Bass |
| Scientific Name of Fish | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Image of Fish |  |
| Image Caption and Credit | A 20+ inch Smallmouth Bass from Lake St. Clair, Michigan. Photo by Mike Thomas. |
| Description of Why This Fish Is Important/Interesting | A prized fighter known for their ornery disposition, this member of the black bass family is both ecologically and economically important throughout its native range. Smallmouth Bass are a top predator in aquatic communities, and are highly sought after by recreational anglers. Their ability to live in a wide variety of lake and river habitats makes them accessible to shore, wading, and boat anglers using a diverse array of tackle. Sound fisheries management and an increasing catch-and-release ethic among black bass anglers has resulted in thriving populations of Smallmouth Bass throughout North America. With a fascinating life history, diverse diet, a lifespan that exceeds 15 years, and a maximum weight that can exceed 10 pounds these fish captivate both fisheries scientists and recreational anglers alike. |
| Website or Journal Article for More Information | https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79135_79218_79614_82601---,00.html |
| Your Name | Todd Wills |