Inland Fishes of Washington State

Rating:
Summary: Photo Identification
Review: Although I am not a "real" ichthyologist, I did spend some time learning to identifying ichthyoplankton ("baby fish") and adult fish off the Oregon Coast as a research assistant at Oregon State University's then School of Oceanography (now the College of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences) from 1972 through 1974.

The best asset to this volume is the photographs of each species of fish, including male and female examples. There is a thorough index that includes scientific names and common names as well as appendices with checklists of general distributions of fish in the Pacific Northwest and a list of extensive references.

Although the title says "Inland Fishes," be aware that this volume also includes those fish found in estuarine and marine locales, for example the Pleuronectid flat fish "Starry Flounder" a marine fish also found in Puget Sound. This volume not only includes fish found in Washington State waters, but also the waters of the entire Pacific Northwest, including Alaska, British Columbia and the Yukon--and perhaps Northern California.

The section on Species Keys and Life History Accounts is broken down by Family. Identification information includes: Distinguishing Characteristics, Distribution (with maps), Habits and Habitat, Age and Growth, Reproduction, Food, Remarks and References for each Species

I wish that I had access to this volume when I was identifying Cottid and Salmonid fishes, 'way back in the mid-1970's!