California Natural History Guides #77: Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California

"A handy guide to the freshwater fishes of California designed for amateur naturalists and anglers. Alcorn's illustrations are excellent."--Peter Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California

"Freshwater Fishes of California contributes to the better understanding of the past and present history and biology of native and non-native freshwater fishes of California. It also provides practical information on how to sample, care for and/or utilize these fishes. Moreover, it reads like a good novel that piques your interest on fish natural history and identification. It should be of value to anglers, environmentalists concerned with protection of our aquatic habitats and resource, natural history buffs, and governmental biologists and administrators."--Theodore W. Wooster, Environmental Specialist, retired, California Department of Fish and Game

This popular book is the only field guide to all of California's 130 freshwater fish species, both native and introduced. Revised and updated throughout, the guide now features the only complete collection of color illustrations of California freshwater fishes available anywhere. These color illustrations, coupled with a set of highly detailed black-and-white drawings, provide a quick and easy method for identifying fish in the field. Detailed natural history accounts for each species give a wealth of information, including the current endangered or threatened status of many native species.

* Includes angling tips for each sport fish species

* Features an expanded section on cooking freshwater fish

Samuel M. McGinnis is Professor Emeritus of Biology at California State University, Hayward, where he taught ichthyology for 38 years.

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

Freshwater Habitats

Physical and Biological Environment

External Anatomy and Physiology

Internal Anatomy

Measurements and Defining Characteristics

Protective Status

ILLUSTRATED KEYS

Key to Families

Key to Species

SPECIES ACCOUNTS AND ANGLING NOTES

Lamprey (Petromyzontidae)

Pike (Escocidae)

COLLECTING AND OBSERVING LIVE FRESHWATER FISHES

Regulations and Methods

Aquariums and Ponds

Photography and Making Fish Prints

Fish Watching in the Wild

FRESHWATER FISH IN THE KITCHEN

How to Clean a Fish

Cooking Freshwater Fish

Checklist of Species and Subspecies

Abbreviations

Glossary

State Fish Hatcheries

Sport Fishing Weight Records

Selected References

Index