Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.
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 Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.
Related
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
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...
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.
Are salmon endangered worldwide?
No, salmon are not endangered worldwide. For example, most populations in Alaska are healthy. Some populations in the Pacific Northwest are much healthier than others. These healthy populations usually occupy protected habitats such as the Hanford Reach on the Columbia River and streams of Olympic National Park. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
Why do salmon change color and die after they spawn?
Salmon change color to attract a spawning mate. Pacific salmon use all their energy for returning to their home stream, for making eggs, and digging the nest. Most of them stop eating when they return to freshwater and have no energy left for a return trip to the ocean after spawning. After they die, other animals eat them (but people don't) or they decompose, adding nutrients to the stream...
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.
Lake Whitefish
Lake Whitefish from our fall survey.
Related
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
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...
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.
Are salmon endangered worldwide?
No, salmon are not endangered worldwide. For example, most populations in Alaska are healthy. Some populations in the Pacific Northwest are much healthier than others. These healthy populations usually occupy protected habitats such as the Hanford Reach on the Columbia River and streams of Olympic National Park. Learn more: Western Fisheries Research Center - Questions and Answers about Salmon
Why do salmon change color and die after they spawn?
Salmon change color to attract a spawning mate. Pacific salmon use all their energy for returning to their home stream, for making eggs, and digging the nest. Most of them stop eating when they return to freshwater and have no energy left for a return trip to the ocean after spawning. After they die, other animals eat them (but people don't) or they decompose, adding nutrients to the stream...
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.
Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.
Lake Whitefish
Lake Whitefish from our fall survey.
Updated Date: March 14, 2025