North Carolina has several large lakes and rivers including Pee Dee River, running from the Appalachain mountains and Falls Lake. Freshwater fish can be found in these rivers and lakes, as well as in various streams and ponds throughout the state. Fishing is a popular activity in North Carolina with so many types of fish to choose from. Identifying freshwater fish requires you to analyze their habitat, size, and appearance.
Analyze the habitat of the fish. Many North Carolina freshwater fish stay near the bottom of streams and lakes while others prefer to live in shallow waters. Walleyes stay at the bottom of lakes and warmouths swim slowly at the bottom of streams. Black bullhead fish stay in freshwater that have practically no stream flow so they can feed off accumulating vegetation. Fliers can be found in ponds and rivers and apache trout and bull trout live in high elevated fresh waters.
Examine the appearance of the fish. North Carolina freshwater fish are colorful with various markings. Some are long and slender -- such as the American eel and walleyes -- while others are round and stocky. American eels are yellow, silver, and black while walleyes are golden, brown and black. White crappies are golden yellow with grey speckles and spotted suckers are reddish with black spots. Fliers have an oval body with ridge-edged fins and black bullheads are stocky with a long upper jaw.
Measure the size of the fish. Most North Carolina freshwater fish are small, growing no larger than two feet long. There are a few that grow to nearly three feet long, such as the American eel and American shad fish. Dolly Varden and bull trout fish grow up to 18 inches long, while Redfin Pickerels are one of the smallest at 8 inches long. Many fish reach up to 12 inches long, including fliers, black bullhead, and warmouth.
Take notice of what the fish eats. Fish that live in freshwaters of North Carolina eat insects, insect larvae, snails, worms, clams and smaller fish. For example, redear sunfish eat snails and clams and spotted suckers eat insect larvae and baby fish.
