Fish Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/species-type/fish/ A digital archive of treaties, documents, artwork, and 360° trail panoramas from the Corps of Discovery Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:05:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Sauger https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/sauger/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:57 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/sauger/ Like other fish of historically turbid rivers, declining sauger populations are of concern through central US range.

The post Sauger appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Like other fish of historically turbid rivers, declining sauger populations are of concern through central US range.

The post Sauger appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Eulachon, candle fish https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/eulachon-candle-fish/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:56 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/eulachon-candle-fish/ Large winter runs of fat eulachon were an important source of oils for native diets. Species now declining in Columbia.

The post Eulachon, candle fish appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Large winter runs of fat eulachon were an important source of oils for native diets. Species now declining in Columbia.

The post Eulachon, candle fish appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Goldeye https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/goldeye/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:56 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/goldeye/ First caught by Goodrich (intrepid fisherman of the Corps) above confluence of Missouri and Marias Rivers.

The post Goldeye appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> First caught by Goodrich (intrepid fisherman of the Corps) above confluence of Missouri and Marias Rivers.

The post Goldeye appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Mountain sucker https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/mountain-sucker/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:56 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/mountain-sucker/ Briefly described by Clark from the Yellowstone. Widespread in small western streams. Sometimes used as bait.

The post Mountain sucker appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Briefly described by Clark from the Yellowstone. Widespread in small western streams. Sometimes used as bait.

The post Mountain sucker appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Northern pikeminnow https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/northern-pikeminnow/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:56 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/northern-pikeminnow/ Pikeminnow prey on young salmon in the Columbia. Their numbers are actively managed through a reward fishery program.

The post Northern pikeminnow appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Pikeminnow prey on young salmon in the Columbia. Their numbers are actively managed through a reward fishery program.

The post Northern pikeminnow appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Salmon species https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/salmon-species/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:56 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/salmon-species/ Salmon runs of the Columbia River watershed molded and supported all native cultures seen by the Corps west of Rockies.

The post Salmon species appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Salmon runs of the Columbia River watershed molded and supported all native cultures seen by the Corps west of Rockies.

The post Salmon species appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Cutthroat trout https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/cutthroat-trout/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:55 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/cutthroat-trout/ Named in honor of Clark, but first caught (and enjoyed for dinner) on Lewis’s first trip to the Great Falls in 1805.

The post Cutthroat trout appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Named in honor of Clark, but first caught (and enjoyed for dinner) on Lewis’s first trip to the Great Falls in 1805.

The post Cutthroat trout appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Columbia river chub; Peamouth https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/columbia-river-chub-peamouth/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:44:55 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/columbia-river-chub-peamouth/ Lewis described both the fish caught by a young Walla Walla boy and the bone “fishhook” he used. Only species in genus.

The post Columbia river chub; Peamouth appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Lewis described both the fish caught by a young Walla Walla boy and the bone “fishhook” he used. Only species in genus.

The post Columbia river chub; Peamouth appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Chinook Salmon https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/chinook-salmon/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:37 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/chinook-salmon/ Lewis and Clark first encountered massive runs of chinook salmon near the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers in mid-October 1805. Clark was confused by the enormous numbers of dead salmon lining the riverbanks,...

The post Chinook Salmon appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> Lewis and Clark first encountered massive runs of chinook salmon near the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers in mid-October 1805. Clark was confused by the enormous numbers of dead salmon lining the riverbanks, writing “The Cause of the emence numbers of dead Salmon I can’t account for” — he was witnessing the post-spawning die-off. Salmon were a critical food source traded from Native peoples throughout the Columbia Basin. The chinook is the largest Pacific salmon species.

Journal Excerpt

Clark, October 17, 1805: "I observe in assending great numbers of Salmon dead on the Shores, floating on the water and in the Bottoms which can be seen at the debth of 20 feet. the Cause of the emence numbers of dead Salmon I can't account for."

The post Chinook Salmon appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> White Sturgeon https://lewisandclarkresearch.org/wildlife/white-sturgeon/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:36 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/white-sturgeon/ Lewis and Clark encountered the white sturgeon in the Columbia River region during their winter at Fort Clatsop in 1805-1806. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America, capable of reaching 20...

The post White Sturgeon appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]> As the largest freshwater fish in North America, white sturgeon can reach twice the 10-foot length reported by Clark.

The post White Sturgeon appeared first on Lewis & Clark Research Database.

]]>