List of U.S. state fish

The official state fish of the United States are symbolic designations adopted by state governments to honor prominent aquatic species, often reflecting regional ecology, recreational fishing heritage, and conservation priorities. As of 2025, 47 of the 50 states have established at least one official state fish, with Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio remaining without such a symbol.^[1] These state fish are typically selected through legislative acts or gubernatorial proclamations to raise awareness about native or economically important species and support environmental protection efforts.^[1] The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a cold-water species prized for sport fishing, is the most common choice, representing 10 states including Michigan, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.^[1] Other frequently designated fish include the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), emblematic of southern states like Alabama and Georgia due to its role in bass fishing culture.^[2] Many states feature multiple official fish to distinguish between freshwater and saltwater habitats—for instance, Florida recognizes both the largemouth bass and the Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans).^[2] The list of U.S. state fish showcases a diverse array of species, from game fish like rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in states such as Washington to commercial staples like the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in Tennessee, underscoring the varied aquatic biodiversity across the nation.^[3] Designations date back to the mid-20th century, with the earliest being California's golden trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita) in 1947, and continue to evolve as states address issues like habitat loss and overfishing.^[4]

Background

Definition and Criteria

A state fish is an officially designated aquatic species selected to symbolize a state's identity, heritage, or natural resources, often representing its aquatic ecosystems or cultural significance.^[2] These designations highlight fish that are integral to the state's environment, distinguishing them from other state symbols like birds or flowers.^[5] Common criteria for selecting a state fish emphasize species with native habitats in state waters, economic roles in commercial or recreational fishing, and broader cultural or symbolic value that resonates with local traditions.^[2] For instance, endemic or unique species may be prioritized to promote awareness of biodiversity and regional distinctiveness.^[6] Such choices aim to reflect the state's natural legacy without favoring non-native or transient populations.^[2] The selection process typically begins with proposals from citizens, organizations, or educators, leading to adoption through legislative acts, public referendums, or school-led campaigns.^[2][7] Once approved, formalization occurs via state laws passed by legislatures or proclamations issued by governors, with the year of designation noted for historical record.^[5][2] This practice originated in the early 20th century as part of broader efforts to establish state emblems.^[2]

Historical Context

The tradition of official state symbols in the United States traces its roots to the late 19th century, when states began adopting emblems to celebrate their distinct natural features and foster civic pride. This practice accelerated after the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where organizers curated a "National Garland of Flowers" showcasing state flora, inspiring subsequent designations of birds, trees, and other icons in the early 20th century.^[8][9] Aquatic symbols, particularly fish, emerged later within this framework, reflecting the growing recognition of inland and coastal waterways as integral to state identities. The first official state fish designation occurred in 1947, when California adopted the golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss subsp. aguabonita), a species native to the state's Sierra Nevada waters.^[5] This milestone marked the beginning of a niche category of symbols, with adoptions remaining limited in the ensuing decades—only one in the 1940s (California) and five in the 1950s.^[10] Post-World War II, state fish designations experienced a marked increase, aligning with broader efforts to catalog natural heritage amid rising interest in regional distinctiveness. The 1960s saw several adoptions, including Oregon's Chinook salmon in 1961, followed by a surge in the 1970s and 1980s, as states like Georgia (largemouth bass, 1970), Massachusetts (cod, 1974), Montana (blackspotted cutthroat trout, 1977), and Vermont (brook trout, 1978) formalized their choices.^[10] This surge paralleled the evolution of other faunal symbols, such as state birds, which had originated in the 1920s but continued gaining traction through the mid-20th century, encouraging comprehensive emblem sets that included aquatic life.^[11] In the 1970s, many selections emphasized native species, coinciding with national environmental initiatives that addressed pollution and habitat degradation in U.S. waters. For instance, states like Montana (blackspotted cutthroat trout, 1977) and Vermont (brook trout, 1978) chose emblematic fish to underscore ecological importance, amid concerns over industrial impacts on fisheries documented in federal reports from the era. South Carolina adopted the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in 1972, honoring its role in the state's commercial and recreational fisheries.^[10][12][13]

Official Designations

Alphabetical List

The official state fish for 46 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as of November 2025, are enumerated alphabetically below. This list includes the common name, scientific name, year of adoption, and brief habitat notes, with multiple designations noted where states have separate categories (e.g., freshwater versus saltwater). No new designations have occurred in 2025.^[14][2][4]

Regional Variations

The official state fish designations can be organized by major U.S. geographic regions to reveal patterns influenced by local ecosystems, such as freshwater streams in mountainous areas favoring trout species or coastal waters promoting salmonids.^[2] This regional grouping draws from comprehensive compilations of state symbols, highlighting how designations often reflect endemic or economically prominent species within each area's habitats.^[2]

Northeast

The Northeast region, encompassing states with diverse riverine and estuarine environments, features a prevalence of cold-water species like brook trout alongside coastal game fish such as striped bass.^[2]

Midwest

Midwestern states, characterized by Great Lakes and prairie rivers, designate a variety of warm-water panfish and predatory species adapted to large inland waterways.^[2]

South

Southern designations emphasize sport fish thriving in subtropical rivers and bays, with largemouth bass appearing frequently due to its adaptability in warm, vegetated waters across the region.^[2] For instance, largemouth bass serves as the official freshwater fish in Alabama (1975), Florida (1975), Georgia (1970), and Mississippi (1974).^[2]

West

In the arid and mountainous West, cutthroat trout variants dominate, reflecting the prevalence of high-elevation streams and their role in regional angling traditions; examples include the greenback cutthroat trout in Colorado (1994), cutthroat trout in Idaho (1990), blackspotted cutthroat trout in Montana (1977), Lahontan cutthroat trout in Nevada (1981), New Mexico cutthroat trout in New Mexico (1955), Bonneville cutthroat trout in Utah (1997), and cutthroat trout in Wyoming (1987).^[2]

Pacific

Pacific states, with extensive coastlines and Pacific salmon runs, favor anadromous species like salmon that migrate through rivers to ocean fisheries, as seen in king salmon for Alaska (1962), chinook salmon for Oregon (1961), and steelhead trout for Washington (1969).^[2] California's designations include both the freshwater California golden trout (1947) and marine Garibaldi (1995), while Hawaii's humuhumunukunukuapua'a (1985, reaffirmed 2006) represents its isolated reef ecosystems.^[2] These regional patterns underscore environmental influences, such as the suitability of cold, oxygen-rich waters for trout in the West versus the nutrient-rich estuaries supporting bass and drum in the South.^[2] A visual representation, like a map overlay coloring states by predominant fish families (e.g., Salmonidae in the Pacific and West), could further illustrate these ecological alignments, though such tools are not embedded here.^[2]

Changes and Exceptions

States Without Designations

As of November 2025, three U.S. states—Ohio, Iowa, and Indiana—have not adopted an official state fish, despite ongoing legislative interest in many cases.^[14] This absence stands out amid the 47 states and the District of Columbia that have designated at least one symbolic fish, often reflecting regional aquatic heritage or economic importance.^[1] The lack of designations stems primarily from legislative inaction and debates over suitable species, including preferences for native versus introduced fish or regional favorites that divide stakeholders. In Ohio, for instance, proposals have repeatedly stalled due to contention between northern anglers favoring the walleye (Sander vitreus), prized in Lake Erie fisheries, and southern supporters of the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), leading to a lack of consensus since initial efforts in the 1980s.^[15] Similarly, Iowa's efforts have been hampered by focus on other state symbols and challenges in selecting a representative amid diverse native species, with no successful bill advancing beyond committee stages in recent decades.^[16] Indiana's situation reflects broader legislative priorities, where attempts to highlight unique species like the endangered Hoosier cavefish (Amblyopsis hoosieri) have not progressed, partly due to concerns over promoting conservation-sensitive fish.^[17] Historical attempts underscore these challenges. Ohio lawmakers have introduced bills nearly every legislative session since the 1980s to designate the walleye, but none have passed, with recent efforts like House Bill 599 in 2024 and House Bill 312 in 2025 failing amid the ongoing north-south divide.^[18] In Iowa, proposals date back to the 1990s, including unsuccessful pushes for the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) as an unofficial favorite, followed by more recent bills like Senate Joint Resolution 6 in 2023 and House Joint Resolution 2 in 2025 advocating for the Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile), the only fish named after the state, though both remain pending without adoption.^[19] Indiana saw an early attempt by the Fish and Game Commission in 1907 to select a symbol, but it was never formalized, and modern proposals, such as the 2024 push for the Hoosier cavefish, have similarly languished due to insufficient legislative momentum.^[20] In comparison, other states addressed similar gaps in the 2010s through targeted legislation; for example, Virginia adopted the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as its official freshwater fish and the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) as its saltwater fish in 2011, emphasizing conservation and regional diversity to build broad support.^[10] This highlights how focused advocacy and compromise can succeed where debates persist in Ohio, Iowa, and Indiana, potentially paving the way for future designations in these holdout states.

Multiple or Changed Designations

Several U.S. states have adopted more than one official fish designation, typically to recognize distinct freshwater and saltwater species or to honor diverse ecological roles within the state's aquatic systems. These multiple designations often stem from legislative efforts to celebrate both inland and coastal fisheries, reflecting the geographical and environmental variety across the nation. As of 2025, at least 14 states maintain such dual or multiple statuses without recent revocations.^[2] The following table summarizes key examples of states with multiple official fish, including designation years and categories where applicable: These designations highlight species significant to local angling traditions and ecosystems; for instance, Montana's dual recognition of native cutthroat trout subspecies underscores their cultural importance to the state's heritage and fly-fishing economy.^[21][2] In addition to multiples, several states have revised their official fish over time, driven by conservation priorities, public advocacy, or shifts toward native species. Such changes often occur through legislative bills prompted by environmental concerns, like habitat loss or invasive species impacts, or grassroots campaigns by anglers and wildlife groups. For example, Utah replaced the non-native rainbow trout—previously designated in 1971—with the Bonneville cutthroat trout in 1997 to promote recovery of a once-imperiled native species that had declined sharply in the 1970s due to hybridization and habitat degradation.^[22][23] Similarly, New York's addition of the striped bass as a marine counterpart to the longstanding brook trout in 2006 responded to coastal fishing interests and efforts to balance inland and oceanic representations. In Tennessee, the smallmouth bass was designated as the official sport fish in 2005, expanding on the earlier largemouth bass and channel catfish to better reflect diverse angling preferences following public input. These updates, typically enacted via state legislatures, aim to support biodiversity and sustainable fisheries without revoking prior symbols unless conservation needs demand it. No major changes to these designations have been recorded since 2020 as of November 2025.^[24][2]

Significance

Cultural and Economic Role

State fish designations often embody deep cultural symbolism, reflecting regional histories, indigenous traditions, and communal identities across the United States. In Massachusetts, the cod (Gadus morhua) serves as a potent emblem of colonial prosperity and maritime heritage, with a carved wooden "Sacred Cod" installed in the State House in 1784 to commemorate the fish's foundational role in the early economy.^[25] Similarly, the walleye (Sander vitreum) in Minnesota symbolizes the state's angling traditions and natural bounty, earning its status as the official state fish in 1965 amid rival claims from multiple cities vying for the title of "Walleye Capital of the World."^[26] In Alaska, salmon species like the Chinook and coho hold profound significance in tribal cultures, integral to ceremonies, diets, and ancient trade networks for thousands of years, underscoring their role in indigenous economies and spiritual practices.^[27] Economically, state fish contribute substantially to local and national industries through commercial harvesting, recreational fishing, and related tourism. Alaska's salmon fisheries generate over $1.5 billion annually for the state's economy, supporting seafood processing and sustaining thousands of jobs in remote communities.^[28] Nationally, recreational fishing, including for popular state symbols like the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Southern states, contributes more than $230 billion to the U.S. economy annually, as of 2025.^[29] Commercial and recreational sectors combined generated $321 billion in sales impacts and $149 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product, as of 2022, with state fish enhancing marketability for regional products.^[30] These designations also foster education, civic pride, and community events that reinforce state identities. In Minnesota, the walleye features prominently in school curricula and marketing campaigns promoting the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," while annual tournaments and festivals, such as the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza, celebrate its cultural allure and draw visitors.^[31] Texas's Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii), adopted in 1989, educates residents on watershed health, linking the fish to broader environmental stewardship in public outreach.^[32] Such events, including salmon-focused gatherings in Pacific Northwest tribes, not only preserve traditions but also boost local economies through tourism and cultural tourism.^[27]

Conservation Implications

State fish designations in the United States have significantly heightened public awareness of native aquatic species, often catalyzing habitat protection laws and conservation initiatives. For instance, the greenback cutthroat trout, Colorado's state fish since 1975, was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1978, prompting extensive recovery efforts including habitat restoration and non-native species removal.^[33] Similarly, in Western states like New Mexico and Utah, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout's status as a state symbol has supported range-wide conservation agreements under the ESA candidacy process, leading to habitat protections against non-native competition and fragmentation.^[34][35] These designations foster community involvement, as seen in the Western Native Trout Initiative, which collaborates across 12 states to restore populations of species like the cutthroat trout through targeted habitat enhancements.^[36] Despite these gains, state fish face persistent threats from overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation, which have spurred targeted recovery plans. In Maine, where the Atlantic salmon has been the state fish since 1969, populations in the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment declined due to historical overfishing, dam construction, and industrial pollution, leading to its ESA endangered listing in 2000 and a comprehensive 2019 recovery plan emphasizing river restoration and reduced mortality.^[37][38] State-led efforts, such as the Salmon for Maine's Rivers program, have focused on enhancing spawning access amid ongoing pollution challenges from logging runoff.^[39] Success stories illustrate the effectiveness of tying symbolic status to policy-driven conservation. The striped bass, designated as the state fish in multiple Atlantic states including New York (1975) and Maryland (1964), experienced severe declines in the 1970s from overfishing, but recovered dramatically in the 1980s through the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act of 1984, which mandated state compliance with quotas and moratoria via the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, rebuilding populations to sustainable levels by the early 1990s.^[40][41] This interstate initiative, reinforced by the species' iconic role, demonstrated how designations can align federal and state actions under programs like the ESA. As of 2025, climate change poses escalating threats to state fish like salmon, amplifying the urgency of these protections. Warmer river temperatures and reduced snowpack in Pacific Northwest states, such as Washington and Oregon, have disrupted Chinook salmon runs—state symbols in both—by stressing juveniles and altering migration patterns, with projections indicating up to 40% habitat loss by mid-century without intervention.^[42][43] In Alaska, where king salmon is culturally vital, 2025 studies link declining freshwater flows to ocean warming, prompting enhanced ESA integrations for recovery.^[44] These impacts underscore the role of state designations in advocating for adaptive policies, such as NOAA's habitat resilience strategies.^[45]