In Maine there are currently 69 fish species that spend at least part of their life cycle in freshwaters. They belong to 45 genera and 18 families. These species and genus totals represent approximately one half of those for the northeastern U.S. The most species-rich family in Maine is the Cyprinidae (carps-minnows) with 20 species. Next are the Salmonidae (salmon-trouts: 8 species), Centrarchidae (black basses and sunfishes: 8 species), and Clupeidae (herrings: 5 species). Approximately 70% Maine’s fish species are native to the state. Nevertheless, many Maine-native species have been introduced to lakes and streams in parts of the state that they did not originally inhabit. Some non-native species have been in Maine for a long time, for example largemouth and smallmouth bass. Others are more recent arrivals, including green sunfish and rock bass. Fourteen species are obligate or facultative diadromous taxa, i.e. they move between fresh and salt water.
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Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research |
