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Game Fish of Nevada

Brook Trout

(Salvelinus fontinalis)

Illustration of a brook trout, a freshwater fish species commonly found in Nevada. The image highlights key identifying features, including worm-like marks on the back, red or pink spots with blue halos, and a white leading edge on the lower fins. Perfect for anglers learning about fish identification.
Brook Trout identification: Key features include worm-like marks on the back, red or pink spots with blue halos, and a white leading edge on the lower fins.

They have light spots on a dark background. Belly and lower fins brilliant orange in spawning males. Upper body and dorsal fin have mottled or worm-like markings. Red spots, with or without bluish rings around them. The most distinguishing marks are the white and thin black stripe along the leading edge of the lower fins. Tail square or slightly forked.

Brown Trout

(Salmo trutta)

Illustration of a brown trout, a freshwater fish species commonly found in Nevada. Key identifying features include a square-shaped tail fin and red-orange spots with blue halos. Ideal for anglers referencing fish identification guides.
Brown Trout identification: Key features include a square tail fin and red-orange spots with blue halos.

Back is brown or olive with large black spots. Sides light brown to yellowish, with numerous black and red-orange spots surrounded by light blue rings. Few if any spots on tail.

Cutthroat Trout (Stream and Lake)

(Oncorhynchus clarkii)

Illustration of a stream form cutthroat trout, a native fish species in Nevada. Key features include a lack of white tips on fins and red or orange slashes under the jaw. Commonly found in streams and rivers across the state, perfect for anglers referencing fish identification.
Cutthroat Trout (Stream Form) identification: Features include red or orange slash markings and no white tips on fins.

Body color is highly variable. Back may be steel gray to olive-green. Sides may be yellow-brown with red or pink along belly. Slash marks on either side of the throat beneath the lower jaw may be yellow, crimson-red or orange. Fins uniform color with no white tips. Scattered spots are usually round and black, more closely grouped towards the tail. Teeth on back of tongue. Nevada has three subspecies of cutthroat trout including Lahontan, Bonneville and Yellowstone.

Illustration of a lake form cutthroat trout, a native fish species in Nevada. Key characteristics include a streamlined body with scattered dark spots and distinctive coloration. Found in Nevada's lakes, this fish is a favorite among anglers seeking native trout species.
Cutthroat Trout (Lake Form) identification: Features include a streamlined body with distinct spotting and the classic cutthroat slash under the jaw.

Bull Trout

(Salvelinus confluentus)

Illustration of a bull trout, a freshwater fish species found in Nevada. Features include yellow or cream-colored spots (not wavy) and the absence of black marks on the dorsal fin. Ideal for anglers seeking to identify native trout species in the region.
Bull Trout identification: Key features include yellow or cream-colored spots (not wavy) and no black marks on the dorsal fin.

They have light spots on a dark background. Back has pale yellow spots and sides with orange or red spots; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins have white edges. Distinguished from Brook Trout by lack of worm-like markings on back. This fish is native to only the Jarbidge River system of northern Elko County and occurs in tributaries associated with the two forks of that stream system.

Rainbow Trout

(Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Illustration of a Rainbow Trout featuring key identification markers, including pink or red coloring along the lateral line and white tips on the fins, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Rainbow Trout identification: Key features include pink or red coloring along the lateral line and white tips on the fins.

Body usually olive to greenish-blue on the back; belly white to silver; sides usually show prominent red or pink streak. Fish from lakes sometimes lose all color and appear silvery. Irregular/freckled spots on back, sides, head, dorsal fin and tail. No teeth on back of tongue. Native to the Columbia River drainage of northeastern Nevada, but stocked extensively from hatcheries throughout Nevada.

Tiger Trout

(Salmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis)

Illustration of a Tiger Trout showcasing its distinctive pattern of dark maze-like stripes on a lighter background and vibrant orange fins, as featured in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Tiger Trout identification: Recognized by its dark maze-like stripes and vibrant orange fins.

A Tiger Trout is a hybrid of a Brown Trout and Brook Trout. It has pronounced, light-colored vermiculations (worm-like markings) all over a brownish-gray body that resembles the stripes of a tiger. The belly is yellowish-orange as are the pectoral, pelvic and anal fins. The tail is not deeply forked.

Lake Trout Or Mackinaw

(Salvelinus namaycush)

Illustration of a Lake Trout featuring a deeply forked tail fin and light spots on a dark background, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com for accurate species identification.
Lake Trout identification: Distinguished by its deeply forked tail fin and light spots on a dark background.

Light colored spots on a dark background. Dark gray or gray-green above, belly light gray or white. Currently found in Lake Tahoe, Nevada-California, and Liberty and Echo Lakes in Elko County.

Mountain Whitefish

(Prosopium williamsoni)

Illustration of a Mountain Whitefish, highlighting key features such as the adipose fin, large rough scales, and a small pointed mouth, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com for species identification.
Mountain Whitefish identification: Features include an adipose fin, large rough scales, and a small pointed mouth.

Back and fins are light brown or gold and the sides and belly are silver and white. There are no spots. Tail deeply forked and body is deep and round. Mouth small with no teeth. Large fleshy adipose fin.

Largemouth Bass

(Micropterus salmoides)

Illustration of a Largemouth Bass, highlighting key features such as spiny and soft dorsal fins that are nearly separate, a dark horizontal band along the body, and a mouth that extends beyond the eye, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com for species identification.
Largemouth Bass identification: Features include nearly separate spiny and soft dorsal fins, a dark horizontal band, and a mouth extending beyond the eye.

Dark green on back and sides, silvery below. Belly is greenish-white. A broad dark band on the sides a broad, dark horizontal band extends along the lateral line on each side. The spiny and soft-rayed parts of the dorsal fin are nearly separated from the soft rays by a deep notch. Upper jaw when closed extends at least to the rear edge of the eye in adults, usually beyond.

Smallmouth Bass

(Micropterus dolomieu)

Illustration of a Smallmouth Bass, highlighting key features such as well-connected spiny and soft dorsal fins and a mouth that does not extend past the center of the eye, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com for species identification.
Smallmouth Bass identification: Features include well-connected spiny and soft dorsal fins and a mouth that does not extend past the center of the eye.

Dark olive to brown on back, sides bronze, belly white. Dark vertical bands on sides and dark brown horizontal bars on the head. Eyes reddish. The spiny and soft-rayed parts of the dorsal fin are continuous, not separate. Upper jaw when closed does not extend beyond the rear edge of the eye.

Spotted Bass

(Micropterus punctulatus)

Illustration of a Smallmouth Bass showing key identification features, including well-connected spiny and soft dorsal fins and a mouth that does not extend past the center of the eye, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide.
Smallmouth Bass identification: Key features include well-connected spiny and soft dorsal fins and a mouth that does not extend past the center of the eye.

Green to dark green on back and sides with a white belly. Rows of spots along the lower sides below the dark lateral stripe. Dorsal fins are connected and not separated into two distinct fins. Upper jaw extends to the back of the eye, but not beyond the eye as in the largemouth bass.

Striped Bass

(Morone saxatilis)

Illustration of a Striped Bass highlighting its key identification feature of distinct horizontal stripes running along its body, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Striped Bass identification: Key feature includes distinct horizontal stripes running along its body.

Body olive-green above, shading from silvery on sides to white on belly with brassy reflection. There are 7 to 8 longitudinal dark stripes following the scale rows. The tail is forked and the body is cylindrical in shape. Occasionally exceeds 50 pounds.

Found in Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Colorado River.

White Bass

(Morone chrysops)

Illustration of a White Bass showing key identification features, including faint but usually unbroken stripes along its body and a single tooth patch on its tongue, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
White Bass identification: Key features include faint but usually unbroken stripes and a single tooth patch on the tongue.

Dark gray to black on the back, with bright silvery sides and white belly. The sides have dark stripes or lines (about 5 are above the lateral line). Body strongly compressed from side to side, forehead is dished and snout is slightly turned up. Seldom exceeds 3 pounds. Found only in the Northern NV waters.

Wiper

(Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis)

Illustration of a Hybrid Striped Bass highlighting key features, including distinct and usually broken stripes along its body and two tooth patches on its tongue, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Hybrid Striped Bass identification: Features include distinct, usually broken stripes and two tooth patches on the tongue.

A wiper is a sterile hybrid of a white bass and striped bass. Identification can be difficult, particularly for young fish. In adult fish, the hybrid has a deep body and an arched back similar to the white bass. A mid-body break in line pattern occasionally occurs. Occasionally exceeds 10 pounds. Found only in northern Nevada waters.

Bluegill

(Lepomis macrochirus)

Illustration of a Bluegill highlighting key identification features, including a mouth that does not extend to the middle of the eye and pointed pectoral fins, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Bluegill identification: Features include a mouth that does not extend to the middle of the eye and pointed pectoral fins.

Very colorful. Light to dark blue on bright purple. In breeding season, the breast of males is red. Gill covers often blue with a black spot on the rear of the “ear flap”. Faint vertical bars on the sides. The mouth is small and when closed, barely reaches the front of the eye. Distinguished from Green Sunfish by small mouth not extending to middle of eye.

Green Sunfish

(Lepomis cyanellus)

Illustration of a Green Sunfish highlighting key features, including a mouth that extends to the middle of the eye and rounded pectoral fins, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Green Sunfish identification: Features include a mouth that extends to the middle of the eye and rounded pectoral fins.

Each scale is flecked with yellow or emerald green. Back and sides olive-green, and lower belly yellowish-copper or brassy. Body is short, stocky, and deeply compressed from side to side. The gill cover has a broad, light margin, and it often has a black spot on the rear flap. Distinguished from Bluegill by larger mouth with jaw extending to middle of eye.

Redear Sunfish

(Lepomis microlophus)

Illustration of a Redear Sunfish highlighting key identification features, including a red or orange edge on the operculum 'ear flap' and a spotted body, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Redear Sunfish identification: Features include a red or orange edge on the operculum 'ear flap' and a spotted body.

Dark brown to green back with yellow to green sides. Belly is light yellow to nearly white. The mouth is small and the opercular lobe or ear flap has a dark blue-back spot with red to orange edge.

Crappie

(Pomoxis)

Illustration of a Black Crappie highlighting its key feature of a dished forehead, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com for species identification.
Black Crappie identification: Key feature includes a dished forehead.

Silver-olive with numerous black or dark green splotches on the sides. Forehead is dished and the snout is turned up. Base of the dorsal fin is about the same length as the base of the anal fin. Nevada has black and white crappie. Black crappie have irregular black splotches; white crappie have vertical bars.

White Catfish

(Ameiurus catus)

Illustration of a White Catfish showing key identification features, including a broad rounded head, silvery gray sides with no spots, a moderately forked tail fin, and 19-23 rays, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
White Catfish identification: Features include a broad rounded head, silvery gray sides with no spots, a moderately forked tail fin, and 19-23 rays.

Bluish to grayish above and white below. Tail deeply forked. No scales. No spots. Barbels extend from the chin and upper jaw. Both dorsal and pectoral fins have strong, sharp spines. White catfish have shorter barbels on the upper jaw than channel catfish, and barbels on lower jaw are whiter. Head is more rounded and white on belly extends to rear of anal fin. Found in Lahontan and the Humboldt River with channel catfish.

Channel Catfish

(Ictalurus punctatus)

Illustration of a Channel Catfish highlighting key identification features, including sides that are often spotted (especially in juveniles), a deeply forked tail fin, and 24-29 rays, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com
Channel Catfish identification: Features include sides often spotted (especially in juveniles), a deeply forked tail fin, and 24-29 rays.

No scales, tail deeply forked with pointed lobes. Body pale bluish-olive above and bluish-white below. Spots vary from a few to many over much of the body and may not occur on large fish. Barbels extend from the chin and upper jaw. Both dorsal and pectoral fins have strong, sharp spines. Larger fish may be distinguished from the white catfish by the longer black barbels and more streamlined body form. Tail more deeply forked and head thinner and less rounded than white catfish. White on belly only to forward edge of anal fin.

Bullhead

(Ameiurus)

Illustration of a Black Bullhead Catfish showing its key identification feature of a slightly forked tail fin, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com for species recognition.
Bullhead identification: Key feature includes a tail fin that is only slightly forked.

No scales. Adults are blackish, dark olive or dark brown. Belly is yellow, greenish-white, or white. Chin barbels are entirely black. The pectoral fin spine is smooth. Rarely exceeds 12 inches

Walleye

(Sander vitreus)

Illustration of a Walleye highlighting key identification features, including large sharp teeth, pearlescent or silvery eyes, and white tips on the lower tail fin, as detailed in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Walleye identification: Key features include large sharp teeth, pearlescent or silvery eyes, and white tips on the lower tail fin.

Prominent “canine” teeth distinguish this big perch from its smaller family member the yellow perch. Color is brassy-olive buff sometimes shading to yellowish sides and white beneath. No distinct bars on the sides, but rather an overall mottling of black or brown. Large dark blotches at rear base of dorsal fin, and the lower lobe of tail fin is white tipped. The tail is moderately forked. Found only in northern Nevada reservoirs.

Yellow Perch

(Perca flavescens)

Illustration of a Yellow Perch showing key identification features, including distinct vertical barring along the body and a lower body that is yellow to yellow-orange, as described in the Nevada Fishing Guide on eRegulations.com.
Yellow Perch identification: Key features include distinct vertical barring and a lower body that is yellow to yellow-orange.

Rich yellow to brassy-green with 6 to 8 dark vertical bars on the sides. Dark green back. No “canine” teeth. The belly is whitish. The dorsal fin has two sections, the front one contains 12 to 14 sharp spines and the rear 12 to 13 soft rays. Found only in northern Nevada waters.

Illustrations by Michelle LaGory except otherwise noted

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