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Region 6

Contact Information

Pacific Northwest Region
Forest Service
333 SW First Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97204-3440
or
P.O. Box 3623
Portland, OR 97208-3623

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Fish

Fish Resource Overview

[Photo]:trees in a stream The diverse streams, rivers and lakes of the Pacific Northwest Region support dozens of species of fish, many of which are classified as game fish by the states of Oregon and Washington. Northwest game fish include predominately native coldwater fish species, such as Pacific salmon, trout and char, as well as warmwater fish, largely introduced from Midwest and Eastern states.

Pacific Northwest Fish

Pacific Salmon (genus Onchoryhncus) include:

Chinook, Coho, Sockeye (Kokanee), Pink and Chum Salmon.

Native Trout stocks are also classified with the Pacific Salmon, and include:

Rainbow, Redband, Westslope Cutthroat, Coastal Cutthroat, and Lahontan Cutthroat.

Native Char include:

Dolly Varden and Bull Trout. (Many stocks are federally or state listed as Threatened or Endangered Species, so be sure to check State Regulations before planning a fishing trip!).
Stocked trout include these species plus several other imported species like Eastern Brook, Brown and Lake Trout.

Other common native game-fish on the National Forests include:

Northern Whitefish, White Sturgeon, and Northern Pike-minnow (squawfish). Common warmwater species include Walleye, Large- and Small-mouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Bluegill and Channel Catfish.

[Photo]: Fish Eggs Shad were introduced to the Region in the 1800's, and now return in the millions to the Columbia River. Some less common fish, such as Tiger Muskellunge and Striped Bass, are available on a few sites on or near several National Forests. See 'Let's Go Fishing' for information on fish found on the individual National Forests, and where to find them.

Besides game-fish, the National Forests also contain some interesting endemic species. Lamprey Eels are found in both anadromous (sea-run) and resident forms. Burbot (freshwater cod) are found in some northern Washington lakes. Smelt (Candlefish) were so named because of their very high oil content; the tiny fish return from the sea in irregular cycles, running by the thousands one year and disappearing for several more. Several fish species have adapted to the extremely harsh conditions and tiny pools of Great Basin springs and streams, like the Warner Valley Sucker.

Some content in this section was reprinted with the permission of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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