Fish of the Week!
311 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 62 ratingsFish enthusiasts Katrina Liebich and Guy Eroh journey across America on a quest to discover ALL THE FISH: big and small, common and rare, beautiful and downright strange. Diverse guests help dig into the latest science and bring their perspectives about how fish are woven into the fabric of communities and cultures. Listeners walk away from each episode with practical information about how to connect with and conserve our amazing, finned friends.
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Episodes
Goliath Grouper: Volkswagen Beetle of Fishes
June 26, 2023 04:00 - 26 minutes - 24 MBMaxing out at around 800 pounds and eight feet long, the weight of this fish is comparable to an adult grizzly bear, American bison, or grand piano...and similarly long items include a king-sized bed and surfboard! Fish biologist Derek Cox from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission joins as a guest to help shed light on the true habits of this amazing fish, as well as its complex history and management.
Mariana Snailfish: Trench Fish Extraordinaire
June 20, 2023 19:40 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBBuckle up for a trip down into the Mariana Trench to discover an amazing fish living miles beneath the surface! Learn the brilliant ways these fish survive, how scientists study these depths, and get to know the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and the people who call it their backyard. Deep sea scientist Alan Jamieson and park ranger Jihan Younis are guests.
Flathead Catfish: Chocolate, Cavities, and Constantine Samuel Rafinesque
June 12, 2023 04:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBIf you cavity search a river or reservoir, you might meet the business end of a Flathead Catfish! In this episode, we share our favorite anatomical features and what it's like to have your hand in the mouth of this fish (ouch!). Learn what other other critters you might encounter while noodling for these cavity dwellers and how to prevent your gear from going rogue and "ghost" fishing (boo!). Fish biologists Austin Griffin and Doug Zentner from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservatio...
Red Snapper
June 05, 2023 04:54 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBBig head, broad shoulders, red emerging from deep blue. Greg Stunz (AKA Dr. Snapper) joins Katrina and Guy to chat about a beautiful, tasty, and cooperative fish: the Red Snapper! Learn a little bit of everything about this fish from its biology to management and the Great Red Snapper Count.
Bluegill: The Gateway Fish
May 29, 2023 04:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBA sunny fish with a pan-shaped profile, the Bluegill is an excellent "gateway" fish into fishing! Their widespread abundance and ease of being fooled makes this tasty fish a great target for fishing newbs. They're also fantastically fun on the fly or with ultralight gear for the more experienced angler. Guest Alex McCrickard from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Sam Stukel from our Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery are guests.
Bluegill: Gateway Fish
May 29, 2023 04:00 - 31 minutes - 50 KBA sunny fish with a pan-shaped profile, the Bluegill is an excellent "gateway" fish into fishing! Their widespread abundance and ease of being fooled makes this tasty fish a great target for fishing newbs. They're also fantastically fun on the fly or with ultralight gear for the more experienced angler. Guest Alex McCrickard from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Sam Stukel from our Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery are guests.
The Colorado River's Mega Minnow (Colorado Pikeminnow!)
May 22, 2023 04:44 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBTake a step back in time and imagine the possibility of casting a bird or rabbit into the Ovaltine-colored water of the Colorado River and reeling in a six foot long toothless, predatory fish with Mick Jagger lips: the now-Endangered Colorado Pikeminnow. We walk through history and into the present day challenges facing recovery of North America's largest Cyprinid with guests Eliza Gilbert and Dale Ryden from our New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office and Grand Junction Fish and Wildlif...
Colorado Pikeminnow: Mega Minnow!
May 22, 2023 04:44 - 33 minutes - 50 KBTake a step back in time and imagine the possibility of casting a bird or rabbit into the Ovaltine-colored water of the Colorado River and reeling in a six foot long toothless, predatory fish with Mick Jagger lips: the now-Endangered Colorado Pikeminnow. We walk through history and into the present day challenges facing recovery of North America's largest Cyprinid with guests Eliza Gilbert and Dale Ryden from our New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office and Grand Junction Fish and Wildlif...
The Man-Sized "Megafishes"
May 15, 2023 04:43 - 33 minutes - 31 MBDive in with the world's largest freshwater fishes on a special "megafish" episode. Our guest is Zeb Hogan: big fish enthusiast, researcher, author, host of National Geographic's Monster Fish, and director of Wonders of the Mekong Project. From American Paddlefish to Mekong Giant Catfish, we cover the array of freshwater fishes that reach lengths over six feet or weigh more than 200 pounds.
Man-Sized "Megafishes"
May 15, 2023 04:43 - 33 minutes - 50 KBDive in with the world's largest freshwater fishes on a special "megafish" episode. Our guest is Zeb Hogan: big fish enthusiast, researcher, author, host of National Geographic's Monster Fish, and director of Wonders of the Mekong Project. From American Paddlefish to Mekong Giant Catfish, we cover the array of freshwater fishes that reach lengths over six feet or weigh more than 200 pounds.
Freshwater Mussels: Something Fishy!
May 08, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 50 KBIs it a fish? A lure? Why is it attached to that freshwater mussel?? There's something fishy about the Unionid mussel family, and we're going to help you "flex" into the idea that these seemingly simple bivalves can dupe fish into babysitting! Our guest is mussel biologist Sara Seagraves from Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery in Arkansas. You'll take away mussel names like "snuffbox" and "monkeyface" and a new appreciation for the fascinating relationship between native freshwater mussel...
Something Fishy: Freshwater Mussels
May 08, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBIs it a fish? A lure? Why is it attached to that freshwater mussel?? There's something fishy about the Unionid mussel family, and we're going to help you "flex" into the idea that these seemingly simple bivalves can dupe fish into babysitting! Our guest is mussel biologist Sara Seagraves from Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery in Arkansas. You'll take away mussel names like "snuffbox" and "monkeyface" and a new appreciation for the fascinating relationship between native freshwater mussel...
Tuna: Hawaiian Perspective
May 01, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes - 50 KBFrom pre-contact times to today, tuna have interacted with the people of Hawaii. William Aila shares his knowledge about traditional and contemporary fishing techniques and dishes, management and conservation. This episode offers a window into the lives of these fish in the Pacific Ocean, cultural connections to them, and a local perspective of a globally significant group of fishes.
Tuna: a Hawaiian Perspective
May 01, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBFrom pre-contact times to today, tuna have interacted with the people of Hawaii. William Aila shares his knowledge about traditional and contemporary fishing techniques and dishes, management and conservation. This episode offers a window into the lives of these fish in the Pacific Ocean, cultural connections to them, and a local perspective of a globally significant group of fishes.
Ancient Eats: Royal Lamprey Pie!
April 24, 2023 04:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBIf you travel from Alaska to the Eastern Seaboard and across the pond to England, you're in lamprey country! Lampreys are an important First Food for Indigenous peoples and have a rich history across their native and invasive range. This episode is all about the famous royal lamprey pies of Gloucester, a rather recent connection to the North American Great Lakes, and a prelude to the coronation of Charles the Third.
Roanoke Logperch
April 17, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBYou'll love this aloof little fish with the bulbous, piggy snout. Roanoke Logperches are built for rooting around and flipping things over in search of food. This episode covers everything from cuter-than-baby-Yoda juvenile logperches and their precarious habitats to headwater piracy (!) and the Endangered Species Act. Special shout out to the Roanoke Basin endemics and near endemics (this place is a hotspot!). Guest Jamie Roberts from Georgia Southern University enthusiastically shares his ...
River Herring Return: A Spring Wonder
April 10, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 64.8 MBDo you like eagles and ospreys? Seals? Striped bass, bluefish and tuna? Add alewives and blueback herring to your list (collectively called "river herring"). A seasonal food for the masses, tens of millions of these shimmery, migratory fish used to return to New England's freshwaters. Our guests are Steve Gephard and Jaime Masterson.
Herbivore and More: The Chiselmouth!
April 03, 2023 04:00 - 26 minutes - 61.6 MBMeet a lesser-known (but not less cool) Pacific Northwest fish with a unique face and primarily herbivorous feeding behavior. Chiselmouth enthusiast Denny Lassuy and fisherman/author Matt Miller to help us dig into Chiselmouth ecology and how to catch one.
Chiselmouth: Vegetarian Extraordinaire
April 03, 2023 04:00 - 26 minutes - 61.6 MBMeet a lesser-known (but not less cool) Pacific Northwest fish with a unique face and primarily herbivorous feeding behavior. Chiselmouth enthusiast Denny Lassuy and fisherman/author Matt Miller to help us dig into Chiselmouth ecology and how to catch one.
Mexican Tetra: Surface Swimming to Spelunking
March 27, 2023 06:25 - 30 minutes - 69.6 MBBeautiful on the surface and fascinating underground, the Mexican Tetra has an incredible story as told by our guests Dr. Paty Ornelas from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp from the San Antonio Zoo!
Freshwater Drum: Thank Your Lucky Stones
March 20, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 69.7 MBThe Freshwater Drum (AKA "sheepshead") has a song to sing and a story to tell. Fishermen Drew Geving and Josh Knuth of Native Fish for Tomorrow recall their favorite memories of this accessible, widespread and sometimes underappreciated fish. Whether it's their strange sounds reverberating through your aluminum canoe, or their "lucky stones" or a tasty campfire fillet, we hope you get hooked (in a good way).
Char-dcore Dolly Varden: Isolated Arctic Dwarfs
March 13, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 38.9 MBMeet the little Dolly Varden char that eke out their living in the perennial springs of Northeast Alaska. Here, these amazing freshwater oases hold the key to survival for fish. Randy Brown, a Fish Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alex Huryn from the University of Alabama join as guests.
All-Female Amazon Molly
March 06, 2023 05:00 - 30 minutes - 69.1 MBAmazon mollies are an all-female fish named after the tribe of warlike women in Greek mythology. However, the females do require sperm, so they do have to convince males of other related species to mate with them. What's in it for these males? How did this come to be?? Listen and find out with special guest Dr. Ingo Schlupp, Presidential Professor from the University of Oklahoma and Director of the International Stock Center of Livebearing Fishes.
The All-Female Amazon Molly
March 06, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 69.1 MBAmazon mollies are an all-female fish named after the tribe of warlike women in Greek mythology. However, the females do require sperm, so they do have to convince males of other related species to mate with them. What's in it for these males? How did this come to be?? Listen and find out with special guest Dr. Ingo Schlupp, Presidential Professor from the University of Oklahoma and Director of the International Stock Center of Livebearing Fishes.
Yellow Perch: Friday Fish Fry
February 27, 2023 04:00 - 23 minutes - 32.6 MBYellow Perch enthusiast Erin Huggins joins us to talk about "the people's fish" (it's a real beauty). We hope you're hungry and ready to hear about a Midwest tradition: the Friday fish fry!
Lionfish! Not Your Mane Squeeze
February 20, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes - 66.8 MBYou: minding your business. Lionfish: corners you with flamboyant fins, shoots a jet of water at your lateral line. You: discombobulated. Lionfish: strikes. You: toast. Lionfish: moves on to its next victim. We're celebrating the scientists, lionfish hunters, cooks and consumers doing their part to make a dent in the invasive lionfish situation. Learn all about this beautiful, venomous, invasive species with guests Rachel Bowman and Holden Harris.
California Killifish: Wee Saltmarsh King!
February 13, 2023 05:00 - 28 minutes - 65.3 MBMeet a serious player in the salt-marsh ecosystems of the Pacific coast! You'll find the Cali Killi migrating with the tides and feeding everything from Least Terns to California Halibut. Drew Talley from the University of San Diego helps shed light on a small but hugely important fish and what it's teaching us about California's remaining coastal wetlands.
California Killifish: Wee King of the Salt Marsh
February 13, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 65.3 MBMeet a serious player in the salt-marsh ecosystems of the Pacific coast! You'll find the Cali Killi migrating with the tides and feeding everything from Least Terns to California Halibut. Drew Talley from the University of San Diego helps shed light on a small but hugely important fish and what it's teaching us about California's remaining coastal wetlands.
Sacramento Perch: California's Heritage Sunfish!
February 06, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 65.4 MBMeet the only Centrarchid endemic to California! This underappreciated and intriguing game fish continues to swim under the radar in its native California. Guests Peter Moyle (UC Davis) and Max Fish (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) bring Sacramento Perch to the conversation about all the fish!
Razorback Sucker: Colorado River Livin'
January 30, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 69 MBLooking sharp! Maybe the "razor" of this Colorado River fish serves as a keel. Or perhaps it deters another local fish (the Colorado Pikeminnow) from an easy meal. Whatever its purpose, we're a sucker for this big, long-lived, wetland-loving fish with the vermicelli-looking larvae. Our guest Tildon Jones joins from our Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program in Utah.
Rainbow Trout!
January 23, 2023 04:00 - 27 minutes - 63.2 MBTaste the rainbow, or just enjoy its opportunistic and adventurous spirit! Learn the fate of a family of misfortunate shrews in Alaska; where rainbows fall on the fish family tree; and ponder why some members of the species get "called to sea."
Opah! Warmest Fish in the Cold Blue Sea
January 16, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes - 66.7 MBThis polka-dotted piscine anomaly is the only fish known to science capable of whole-body endothermy. Dr. Nick Wegner from our sister agency NOAA Fisheries joins us to discover the secrets of the amazing opah.
Lingcod: Pacific Coast "Buckethead"
January 09, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes - 67.9 MBGet to know the largest member of the greenling family. Alaska Department of Fish and Game guests Donnie Arthur and Brittany Blain join Katrina and Guy to dive into the lifestyle of this large, aggressive marine fish.
Reflections & Casting Forward
January 02, 2023 04:00 - 44 minutes - 102 MBAs we reflect on bright spots from Season 2, we also cast our lines towards Season 3 and #AllTheFish we're excited to cover!
Walleyes!
December 26, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 64.6 MBUsher in the new year with a popular, shiny-eyed North American fish and our very own take on the "Walleye Drop" (who needs a ball when you can have a big fish?).
Goldfish Gone Wild
December 19, 2022 04:00 - 27 minutes - 62.5 MBHow well do you REALLY know your goldfish? We have some real suprises for you! Christine Boston from Fisheries and Oceans Canada joins Katrina and Guy to talk about a common fish that's not just in our aquariums anymore.
Special 100th! Pallid Sturgeon
December 12, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutes - 76.7 MBHi. Pallid Sturgeon here. Just been hanging out doing sturgeon things since before the dinosaurs went extinct...Migrating. Living a long time. Growing about as long as the average man is tall. Using my specialized snout to help me find food in murky waters...Get into the mind of this amazing fish with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams and our Missouri River Coordinator Wayne NelsonStastny.
America's Pickerels
December 05, 2022 04:00 - 26 minutes - 61 MBGet to know the ornery little cousins of the Northern Pike and Musky: the pickerels!
Broad Whitefish: Trade & Tablefare
November 28, 2022 04:00 - 26 minutes - 60.7 MBDried, boiled, or frozen with seal oil, the broad whitefish is a vital table fare here in Alaska. Ernest Nageak brings his Iñupiat perspective to the table, while Jason Leppi sheds light on some science surrounding this elusive, migratory fish.
Blue Sucker: Fish Nerd's Fish
November 20, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 65.5 MBMeet the linebacker of the suckers with the redonkulous peduncle...the musky of the Catostomids...papa papillose himself...THE BLUE SUCKER!! Guests T. David Ritter and Zach Shattuck from Montana join Katrina and Guy to peek into the life of this amazing fish.
Prince of Wales Island Sockeye Salmon
November 14, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 68.1 MBHead to Prince of Wales Island, Alaska—a temperate rainforest where moss grows thick on giant trees and Sockeye Salmon are the "lifeblood" of this special place. Guests Quinn Aboudara and Andy Stevens bring their perspectives.
First Food: Pacific Lamprey
November 07, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 64.5 MBIt's not a flute. That jawless mouth is not an embouchure hole and those aren’t finger holes either...they lead to gills. It's a Pacific Lamprey. First food. Medicine. Suction cup extraordinaire. Get to know the Pacific Lamprey with guests Kelly Coates (Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians) and Jeremy FiveCrows (Nez Perce Tribe).
North America's Blindcats
October 31, 2022 04:00 - 26 minutes - 60.8 MBLearn what's swimming deep beneath San Antonio. Hint: Satan's not alone down there! Dr. Dean Hendrickson (Curator of Ichthyology at the University of Texas's Biodiversity Center) joins Katrina and Guy to bring light to North America’s blindcats.
Beneath the City: North America's Blindcats
October 31, 2022 04:00 - 26 minutes - 60.8 MBLearn what's swimming deep beneath San Antonio. Hint: Satan's not alone down there! Dr. Dean Hendrickson (Curator of Ichthyology at the University of Texas's Biodiversity Center) joins Katrina and Guy to bring light to North America’s blindcats.
Goblin Sharks: Life in the Slow Lane
October 24, 2022 04:00 - 25 minutes - 58 MBIt's deep. It's dark. A big, soft, pink body is barely disturbing the water. You don't even know it's coming. You're not worried. Then its jaws shoot out of its mouth super fast! And that's how it gets you. Goblin Shark! Marine biologist Vicky Vásquez joins Katrina and Guy to talk about this very cool shark.
Utah's One and Only June Sucker
October 17, 2022 08:00 - 20 minutes - 46.8 MBHead to the former "greatest sucker pond in the universe" where old timey ichthyologist David Starr Jordan once got his boat stuck on a shoal of suckers. Russ Franklin with the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program and Chris Keleher from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are guests.
Utah's June Sucker
October 17, 2022 08:00 - 20 minutes - 46.8 MBHead to the former "greatest sucker pond in the universe" where old timey ichthyologist David Starr Jordan once got his boat stuck on a shoal of suckers. Russ Franklin with the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program and Chris Keleher from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are guests.
Arizona-Grown Apache Trout
October 10, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 53.1 MBPicture it: a small, high elevation stream surrounded by ponderosa pines, Douglas fir and aspens. A beautiful spotted Arizona native trout. Get to know the Apache Trout with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish biologists Bradley Clarkson (also a White Mountain Apache Tribe member) and Zac Jackson.
Tennessee's Snail Darter
October 05, 2022 08:05 - 18 minutes - 42.7 MBThis little brown fish with a penchant for escargot has one of the most interesting legal histories in the United States. Katrina and Guy are joined by guests Warren Stiles (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and David Matthews (Tennessee Valley Authority/not the singer) for a conversation about history and hope.
Molas: solar-powered fish with jellies in their bellies
September 26, 2022 04:00 - 26 minutes - 61.7 MBThe mega-sized Molas like the ocean sunfish may look like lazy half fish with no tails. But don't be fooled! They have an active agenda and are capable of burst speeds, launching their massive bodies out of the ocean, and diving thousands of feet. Marine biologist, science communicator and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Tierney Thys shares her knowledge and passion for the Molids and the mysteries of the sea.