Six Common Fish in Mississippi

By Chloe Evans

Fishing is a common pastime in the South. In fact, 4-H fishing clubs are one of the fastest growing 4-H clubs in Mississippi! Do you know the different fish species? Dive into Mississippi's underwater world, where each species has its own unique appeal. These underwater friends not only look cool but also help keep their homes healthy! 

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) can grow 12–16 inches long and weigh 1–3 pounds. It sports greenish-gray scales with dark spots along its sides and has a big mouth, hence the name. These bass can be found in ponds, lakes, and rivers, hiding around rocks and plants.

Green Sunfish
The green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) measures 4–8 inches in length and weighs 4–8 ounces. It has a green colored body and yellow edges on its fins. These fish inhabit farm ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and creeks, thriving even in poor water conditions. Green sunfish are incredible at reproducing, laying up to 50,000 eggs each breeding season.

White Crappie
The white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), also known as crappie, is 8–12 inches in length and weighs between 8 ounces and 1 pound. It is silverish white with gray-black vertical stripes and has 5–6 spines on its fins. White crappie prefer habitats in rivers, reservoirs, and small streams. During spring, they form schools around aquatic vegetation and woody debris.

Blue Catfish
The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) ranges from 12–30 inches in length and weighs between 1–10 pounds. It has a bluish-gray color with a light underbelly. It sports long whiskers around its mouth and an anal fin with a straight edge resembling a comb. Blue catfish are adaptable to various habitats but prefer open waters.

Longnose Gar
The longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), also known as needle-nosed gar, grows 2–3 feet in length and weighs between 1–10 pounds. Longnose gar have long, thin snouts and extremely tough scales that function like a suit of armor. Longnose gar live in shallow, slow-moving waters and occasionally surface to breathe air. 

Mosquitofish

The mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) measures 1–2 inches in length and weighs around 1 ounce. It has a grayish-brown body with a flattened head, rounded tail, and an upward-facing mouth. Mosquitofish are named after their diet and have been introduced in many locations to consume larval mosquitoes, aiding in the control of mosquito populations.

These fish are just a few examples of the amazing aquatic life in Mississippi's waters! For more information on Mississippi’s fish, visit our EkoKids: Schoolyard Nature Guides on fish!