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This popular book is the only field guide to all of California's 130 freshwater fish species, both native and introduced. Revised and updated throughout, the guide now features the only complete collection of color illustrations of California freshwater fishes available anywhere. These color illustrations, coupled with a set of highly detailed black-and-white drawings, provide a quick and easy method for identifying fish in the field. Detailed natural history accounts for each species give a wealth of information, including the current endangered or threatened status of many native species.
* Includes angling tips for each sport fish species
* Features an expanded section on cooking freshwater fish
“While maintaining the highest standards for imparting detailed information, he conveys the richness of California’s freshwater world in an artful, entertaining, and strikingly down-to-earth fashion. . . . If you love the freshwater environment, buy this book. If you don’t yet love the freshwater environment, buy this book and you are sure to fall in love.”—California Coast & Ocean
“A handy guide.”— Stockton Record
"A handy guide to the freshwater fishes of California designed for amateur naturalists and anglers. Alcorn's illustrations are excellent."—Peter Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California
"Freshwater Fishes of California contributes to the better understanding of the past and present history and biology of native and non-native freshwater fishes of California. It also provides practical information on how to sample, care for and/or utilize these fishes. Moreover, it reads like a good novel that piques your interest on fish natural history and identification. It should be of value to anglers, environmentalists concerned with protection of our aquatic habitats and resource, natural history buffs, and governmental biologists and administrators."—Theodore W. Wooster, Environmental Specialist, retired, California Department of Fish and Game
Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION Freshwater Habitats Physical and Biological Environment External Anatomy and Physiology Internal Anatomy Measurements and Defining Characteristics Protective Status
ILLUSTRATED KEYS Key to Families Key to Species
SPECIES ACCOUNTS AND ANGLING NOTES Lamprey (Petromyzontidae) Pike (Escocidae)
COLLECTING AND OBSERVING LIVE FRESHWATER FISHES Regulations and Methods Aquariums and Ponds Photography and Making Fish Prints Fish Watching in the Wild
FRESHWATER FISH IN THE KITCHEN How to Clean a Fish Cooking Freshwater Fish
Checklist of Species and Subspecies Abbreviations Glossary State Fish Hatcheries Sport Fishing Weight Records Selected References Index