Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)

This guide is a great go-to book to identify nearly any freshwater fish you would come across in North America. That is the main purpose of this guide and it does it very well. It is not overly geared for icthyologists although alot of the descriptive terminology is not in everyones vocabulary, there is a glossary to define these terms used, so you can always find out exactly what a "caudal fulcrum" or any other term you are unfamiliar with means. It is set up for people interested in fish that want to know what they are. The plates are organized with similar looking species together and short descriptions and arrows are used to show you what to look for to seperate the different species. If you have narrowed it down to a couple of possibilities but still not quite sure, you can go to the page with more complete decriptions for each species and it tells you morphological characteristics, range maps, habitats, and similar species so you can be more sure of your identification. It also has more detailed pictures of certain parts to look for if two or more fish are very similar in appearance. I can not think of a better way for such a complete guide to be organized. The plates do what they are intended to do, and that is to give you a visual guide to identification in one place, so you dont have to flip through 600 pages of descriptions for each species with a picture next to each one. This book is useful to everyone from the professionals to a kid who netted his first darter out of a stream and wonders what it is.

All of the fish I catch in Tennessee whether they be known or the oddballs are in this book, even sorted by male and female to help with identification! Then it goes in depth about each species from where they are found to what they eat!

I accidentally donated my original copy of this book to the library before I moved. Thankfully my wife re-bought the book and I have the pleasure of knowing other folks can get it through the library. It's a great little book crammed with all kinds of information for fishermen, or just outdoor lovers, alike. Over 600 pages in a compact book.

Exactly what one would expect from a Peterson Field Guide on fish. Useable, detailed enough, great range maps, good color diagrams of fish. Worth every penny.

Lots of details with the book, many examples of places where they're from, tons of information. Just wish there was more pictures of each fish.

My 8yo son loves to carry this while fishing to learn about the fish that he’s catching. Isn’t a complete guide by any means, but the most common fish are listed and it is very well done.

I purchased this book for a well seasoned fisherman and also myself. We have been on many trips and now I know all about the fish in the waters that we are in-

Received exactly as specified.