Types of Baby River Fish

Most freshwater fish prefer to live in cool temperatures. The actual age of sexual maturity depends on the species type. Once the fish have matured spawning begins. Males tend to be dominant and will guard the nest of eggs. Fry will stay near the nest for a few days and leave to survive alone. Since North America has many large bodies of clear water, an abundance of freshwater fish exist.

  1. White Perch

    • White Perch can be found in bodies of freshwater around the world. They spawn from April until June in large rivers with low levels of salinity. Males mature by age 2 and females do so at 3 years of age. The average life expectancy of a white perch is 9 to 10 years. Once white perch reach adulthood they inhabit the open waters closer to shorelines.

    Smallmouth Bass

    • Unlike the largemouth bass, the rear end of the bottom jaw of the smallmouth bass does not extend beyond the eye. Most smallmouth bass reside in water with cooler temperatures and gravel bottoms. Once water temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring spawning activity occurs. Smallmouth bass eggs hatch within three days. The fry will hover around the nest and disperse a few days later. The average life expectancy for smallmouth bass is 10 to 12 years of age. Smallmouth bass mature by the age of 4 years.

    Black Crappie

    • This species is easy to identify due to the irregular dark blotches marked on the sides of the body. The silver color located on the back can change from silver to dark green and black. When compared to the white crappie, black crappie feed more on crustaceans and insects. They can be found in all areas of North America in freshwater. Black crappie will average in length from 10 to 14 inches.

    Channel Catfish

    • Native to North America, channel catfish can be found in big streams with low to moderate currents. When temperatures reach 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring, channel catfish begin to spawn. Young fish smaller than 4 inches in length feed on tiny insects. Adult channel catfish diet consists of both plants and fish. These fish mature within 3 to 6 years of age.