{"id":13181,"date":"2024-01-06T15:20:08","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T14:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=13181"},"modified":"2024-01-06T15:20:08","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T14:20:08","slug":"what-fish-are-in-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-fish-are-in-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"What Fish Are In The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The Mississippi River is one of the largest rivers in the US and has over 300 species of fish that call it home. From tiny minnows to huge catfish, the Mississippi River is a great place to explore the diversity of fish that live in our rivers. Each fish species plays an important role in the ecological health of the river, which make them a valuable resource for anglers and scientists alike.<\/p>\n

The most common fish that inhabit the Mississippi River include catfish, channel catfish, carp, bass, bluegill, sturgeon, sucker, sunfish, walleye, paddlefish, and others. Catfish are the most abundant and popular fish in the Mississippi, often reaching large sizes and weighing up to fifty pounds. Channel catfish, also common in the Mississippi, are a bit smaller but still reach sizes of twenty pounds in some areas. Bass and bluegill are also popular and commonly sought after species. Smaller fish, like sunfish and suckers, are also present in large numbers.<\/p>\n

In addition to native species, the Mississippi is home to numerous non-native, invasive species. These non-native species, such as Asian carp and zebra mussels, are often introduced by anglers and can threaten native fish populations by competing for resources. Asian carp, for example, feed on plankton and consume so much that they can reduce food availability for other species. Weeds, such as hydrilla and Eurasian milfoil, are also invasive species that can affect native fish populations.<\/p>\n

The health of the Mississippi River is directly linked to the health of its fish. Pollution is one of the biggest threats to the species, as it can contaminate their habitat and affect their growth and reproduction. Pollution can come from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and untreated sewage, all of which can negatively impact the health of the fish in the Mississippi. Additionally, changes in water temperature, sedimentation, and stream flow can all have a negative impact.<\/p>\n