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What is the largest freshwater fish?

Sturgeon are the largest of the freshwater fish. The beluga sturgeon in Russia is the largest freshwater fish in the world. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. White sturgeon have been reported to reach lengths of 15-20 feet and weights of nearly one ton. The second largest freshwater fish in North America is the alligator gar.

Related Content

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Image: Huron-Erie Corridor Lake Sturgeon

Are sturgeon and catfish related?

No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...

link

Are sturgeon and catfish related?

No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...

Learn More
link
Lake Whitefish

Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?

Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Consumption Advisories website.

link

Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?

Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Consumption Advisories website.

Learn More
link
Sea Lamprey

Are lamprey and hagfish related?

Yes. Lamprey and hagfish are both jawless fishes. They are the only living members of the taxonomical class Agnatha (Greek for “no jaws”).Learn more: Sea Lamprey Species Profile

link

Are lamprey and hagfish related?

Yes. Lamprey and hagfish are both jawless fishes. They are the only living members of the taxonomical class Agnatha (Greek for “no jaws”).Learn more: Sea Lamprey Species Profile

Learn More
Weighing sturgeon prior to tagging
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Measuring the length of a Gulf sturgeon
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Researchers lift a heavy sturgeon aboard the boat onto the scale
link
Weighing and measuring a Gulf sturgeon
link
Image: Lake Sturgeon in Genesee River, NY
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video thumbnail: Shocking! Electrofishing for Largescale Suckers on the Columbia River
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USGS
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Large Black Carp
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The Missouri River <i>Scaphirhynchus albus</i> (pallid sturgeon) effects analysis

The Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon Effects Analysis (EA) was designed to assess how Missouri River management has affected—and may affect—the endangered Scaphirhynchus albus (pallid sturgeon) population. The EA emerged from the recognition that the direction and focus of the Missouri River Recovery Program would benefit from an updated, thorough evaluation of what is known, what is not known, and
By
Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Modeling Climate Change and Sturgeon Populations in the Missouri River

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Missouri and Iowa State University, is conducting research to address effects of climate change on sturgeon populations (Scaphirhynchus spp.) in the Missouri River. The CERC is conducting laboratory, field, and modeling research to identify causative factors
By
Ecosystems

The pallid sturgeon: Scientific investigations help understand recovery needs

Understanding of the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) has increased significantly since the species was listed as endangered over two decades ago. Since 2005, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) have been engaged in an interdisciplinary research program in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Recovery Progr
By
Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

At-Risk Riverine Fishes: Paddlefish and Lake Sturgeon

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Evaluation of Pallid Sturgeon Science on the Missouri River

A new fact sheet documenting the development of the Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon Effects Analysis (EA) is now available from the U.S. Geological...

Read Article
link

New Evidence Shows Endangered Pallid Sturgeon Spawned in Lower Missouri River

Three tiny fish larvae that were captured by U.S. Geological Survey scientists in May 2014 have just been confirmed to be pallid sturgeon. These new...
Read Article
link

Culprit Identified in Decline of Endangered Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon

BOZEMAN – Pallid sturgeon come from a genetic line that has lived on this planet for tens of millions of years; yet it has been decades since anyone...
Read Article

Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    Image: Huron-Erie Corridor Lake Sturgeon

    Are sturgeon and catfish related?

    No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...

    link

    Are sturgeon and catfish related?

    No. Although sturgeon and catfish can be found in the same habitats and they both have barbels (whiskerlike growths extending from the jaw), they are not closely related. Sturgeon are much more primitive than catfish. There are some catfish sold for aquariums that look somewhat like sturgeon, and some fish have common names that are misleading (i.e. sturgeon chub) but these fish are not related to...

    Learn More
    link
    Lake Whitefish

    Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?

    Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Consumption Advisories website.

    link

    Where can I find fish consumption advisories for my state?

    Most states have set fish (and wildlife) consumption advisories and recommended consumption levels. The state agency responsible for these limits varies. Examples of consumption advisory information can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's Consumption Advisories website.

    Learn More
    link
    Sea Lamprey

    Are lamprey and hagfish related?

    Yes. Lamprey and hagfish are both jawless fishes. They are the only living members of the taxonomical class Agnatha (Greek for “no jaws”).Learn more: Sea Lamprey Species Profile

    link

    Are lamprey and hagfish related?

    Yes. Lamprey and hagfish are both jawless fishes. They are the only living members of the taxonomical class Agnatha (Greek for “no jaws”).Learn more: Sea Lamprey Species Profile

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    Weighing sturgeon prior to tagging
    link
    Measuring the length of a Gulf sturgeon
    link
    Researchers lift a heavy sturgeon aboard the boat onto the scale
    link
    Weighing and measuring a Gulf sturgeon
    link
    Image: Lake Sturgeon in Genesee River, NY
    link
    video thumbnail: Shocking! Electrofishing for Largescale Suckers on the Columbia River
    link
    USGS
    link
    Large Black Carp
    link
  • Publications

    The Missouri River <i>Scaphirhynchus albus</i> (pallid sturgeon) effects analysis

    The Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon Effects Analysis (EA) was designed to assess how Missouri River management has affected—and may affect—the endangered Scaphirhynchus albus (pallid sturgeon) population. The EA emerged from the recognition that the direction and focus of the Missouri River Recovery Program would benefit from an updated, thorough evaluation of what is known, what is not known, and
    By
    Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

    Modeling Climate Change and Sturgeon Populations in the Missouri River

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Missouri and Iowa State University, is conducting research to address effects of climate change on sturgeon populations (Scaphirhynchus spp.) in the Missouri River. The CERC is conducting laboratory, field, and modeling research to identify causative factors
    By
    Ecosystems

    The pallid sturgeon: Scientific investigations help understand recovery needs

    Understanding of the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) has increased significantly since the species was listed as endangered over two decades ago. Since 2005, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) have been engaged in an interdisciplinary research program in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Recovery Progr
    By
    Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

    At-Risk Riverine Fishes: Paddlefish and Lake Sturgeon

  • News
    link

    Evaluation of Pallid Sturgeon Science on the Missouri River

    A new fact sheet documenting the development of the Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon Effects Analysis (EA) is now available from the U.S. Geological...

    Read Article
    link

    New Evidence Shows Endangered Pallid Sturgeon Spawned in Lower Missouri River

    Three tiny fish larvae that were captured by U.S. Geological Survey scientists in May 2014 have just been confirmed to be pallid sturgeon. These new...
    Read Article
    link

    Culprit Identified in Decline of Endangered Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon

    BOZEMAN – Pallid sturgeon come from a genetic line that has lived on this planet for tens of millions of years; yet it has been decades since anyone...
    Read Article