Further classification of this group is below.

Trout

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suckers and catfish have been placed together because they are similar in size and color.  They are also both bottom feeders.

Suckers

Catfish

 

The following fish are grouped together because of their size and coloration.

Topminnows

Shad

Minnows

       There are 200 species of fish found in the Great Smoky Mountains park.  Only five are introduced, but these species still cause problems.  The trout species, seen above, can be further broken down into native and non-native species.  The only native species of trout is the brook trout or brookie.  Pollution from logging operations nearly wiped out brook trout around the 1900s.  As a result the brown and rainbow trout were brought in to improve fishing in the mountains.  These non-native species compete with the brookie for food and habitat. 

       The rainbow trout is found in faster open waters and usually feed at the surface.  There fish were introduced and heavily stocked in 41 states and can be found in almost all streams in the Smokies.  These fish are identified by large heavily spotted bodies with a characteristic pink lateral line.  The rainbow at its maximum age of 7 years can weigh up to 8 pounds. 

       The brown trout is native to Europe and is an excellent fish for sport fishing.  These fish prefer slow moving water at lower elevations.  They seek locations with good cover such as stumps and over hanging trees.  Being the largest of the three species, they compete heavily with the native brook trout.  These fish exhibit a variety of colors and markings from olive-brown with spots to yellow brown with a white belly. 

       The brook trout prefers higher elevations and faster moving waters.  They are not considered a true trout, but are a char meaning that they can not stand high temperatures or pollution.  Due to their small size they are forced out of their natural habitat when faced with competition. 

        Currently there are fishing restrictions in place to reduce the numbers of brown and rainbow trout in mountain streams.  Fishing is permitted year round thirty minutes before sun rise and thirty minutes after sunset.  A limit of 5 fish over 7 inches may be kept.  Any brook trout caught must be returned immediately.  Only artificial lures are permitted. 

For more information about the trout species or fishing restrictions see Trout Fishing.

 

These fish are grouped together because of their overall shape and green and red coloration.  They will later be broken down according to size.  The perch and sunfish will remain together and the bass and drum will make a second larger group.

Perch

Sunfish

Bass

Drum

 

       When determining species or ecosystem status species richness and the environment are important factors to be considered.  Numbers of organisms are important to a population's ability to reproduce.  Yet, sometimes the environment where the species lives has changes so that the population is no longer adapted to live there.  In that case population size would not be helpful at ensuring the survival of the species. 

       Definitions of species status are important to gaining an understanding of the value of a species.  They also tell to what degree a group of organisms is endangered.  However, slight differences between categories can make it hard to know which status an organism has.  Definitions of different categories of status may not be the same for various organizations, therefore, translation between the two may be difficult.

       On this page we cover the different species of fish found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  We have placed these fish in different groups according to their species.