Fish of the Week! artwork

Fish of the Week!

311 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 62 ratings

Fish 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.

Wilderness Sports Science Nature fish fishing culture fisheries fisheries management conservation science indigenous rivers coasts
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Episodes

Smoky Madtom feat. Peggy Shute & Patrick Rakes

March 28, 2022 05:00 - 34 minutes - 78 MB

Like annual flowers, most Smoky Madtoms only live a year. One of the smallest of the madtom catfishes, these cuties can also sting like a bee. Katrina and Guy talk with two guests who've spent many years getting to know this secretive southeastern fish. 

The Southeast's Secretive Smoky Madtom

March 28, 2022 04:00 - 34 minutes - 78 MB

Like annual flowers, most Smoky Madtoms only live a year. One of the smallest of the madtom catfishes, these cuties can also sting like a bee. Katrina and Guy talk with guests Peggy Shute and Patrick Rakes who've spent many years getting to know this secretive southeastern fish. 

Smoky Madtom!

March 28, 2022 04:00 - 34 minutes - 78 MB

Like annual flowers, most Smoky Madtoms only live a year. One of the smallest of the madtom catfishes, these cuties can also sting like a bee. Katrina and Guy talk with guests Peggy Shute and Patrick Rakes who've spent many years getting to know this secretive southeastern fish. 

Diamond Darter feat. Stuart Welsh

March 21, 2022 05:00 - 27 minutes - 62.2 MB

Shine bright like a diamond...darter. Katrina and Guy head to West Virginia to meet the man who described and named the sparkly, nocturnal Diamond Darter. Not gonna lie, we nerd out.

West Virginia's Diamond Darter

March 21, 2022 04:00 - 27 minutes - 62.2 MB

Shine bright like a diamond...darter. Katrina and Guy head to West Virginia to meet the man who described and named the sparkly, nocturnal Diamond Darter. Not gonna lie, we nerd out with guest Stuart Welsh.

Pacific Salmon (with a side of Striped Bass) feat. Jeff Corwin

March 14, 2022 05:00 - 35 minutes - 80.7 MB

American biologist and wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin joins Katrina and Guy to talk about Pacific salmon and some of his Atlantic Coast faves. From Alaska to Massachusetts, there are many ways to connect with and appreciate the amazing fish in your own backyard!

Pacific Salmon (with a side of Striped Bass) with Jeff Corwin

March 14, 2022 04:00 - 35 minutes - 80.7 MB

American biologist and wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin joins Katrina and Guy to talk about Pacific salmon and some of his Atlantic Coast faves. From Alaska to Massachusetts, there are many ways to connect with and appreciate the amazing fish in your own backyard!

Pacific Salmon with Jeff Corwin

March 14, 2022 04:00 - 35 minutes - 80.7 MB

American biologist and wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin joins Katrina and Guy to talk about Pacific salmon and some of his Atlantic Coast faves. From Alaska to Massachusetts, there are many ways to connect with and appreciate the amazing fish in your own backyard!

Coelacanths!

March 07, 2022 04:00 - 22 minutes - 52.6 MB

Katrina and Guy depart from their usual focus on North American fishes to talk about the coelacanth, a fish different from all the rest. The conversation covers coelacanths in the larger context of celebrating all the fish, new discoveries, instances where women have made incredible contributions to the field of ichthyology.

Snakeheads feat. John Odenkirk

February 28, 2022 06:00 - 32 minutes - 73.3 MB

Katrina and Guy dive into the Snakehead dilemma with Fisheries Biologist John Odenkirk from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. 

The Snakehead Dilemma

February 28, 2022 04:00 - 32 minutes - 73.3 MB

Katrina and Guy dive into the Snakehead dilemma with Fisheries Biologist John Odenkirk from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. 

Longear Sunfish feat. Brian Zimmerman

February 21, 2022 06:00 - 23 minutes - 53.7 MB

Put on your shades and learn about one of North America's most colorful fish, the Longear Sunfish. Sunfish enthusiast and Ohio State University research associate Brian Zimmerman joins Katrina and Guy to talk about this captivating beauty. 

Longear Sunfish: Slab-Sided Beauty

February 21, 2022 04:00 - 23 minutes - 53.7 MB

Put on your shades and learn about one of North America's most colorful fish, the Longear Sunfish. Sunfish enthusiast and Ohio State University research associate Brian Zimmerman joins Katrina and Guy to talk about this captivating beauty. 

Bluehead Chubs feat. Michael Wolfe

February 14, 2022 06:00 - 29 minutes - 67.4 MB

All dressed up in blue with horns, the male bluehead chub painstakingly moves stones to build a nest the whole neighborhood can appreciate. Katrina and Guy are joined by bluehead chub enthusiast Michael Wolfe with the North American Native Fishes Association. 

Bluehead Chubs: Dressed Up & Ready to Nest

February 14, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 67.4 MB

All dressed up in blue with horns, the male bluehead chub painstakingly moves stones to build a nest the whole neighborhood can appreciate. Katrina and Guy are joined by bluehead chub enthusiast Michael Wolfe with the North American Native Fishes Association. 

Humpback Chubs feat. Mike Pillow

February 07, 2022 06:00 - 20 minutes - 46.7 MB

While the Colorado River has been cutting dramatic canyons in the Southwest for millions of years, so too has a very special fish been carving its existence in those waters. It may be a bit odd-looking, but those looks have utility. Mike Pillow from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office joins Katrina and Guy to chat about the humpback chub. 

Humpback Chubs: Colorado River Swimmer

February 07, 2022 04:00 - 20 minutes - 46.7 MB

While the Colorado River has been cutting dramatic canyons in the Southwest for millions of years, so too has a very special fish been carving its existence in those waters. It may be a bit odd-looking, but those looks have utility. Mike Pillow from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office joins Katrina and Guy to chat about the humpback chub. 

Delta Smelt feat. Katherine Sun

January 31, 2022 06:00 - 25 minutes - 58.1 MB

Whoever smelt the Delta Smelt dealt it...and it smells like cucumbers! Katrina and Guy talk with special guest Katherine Sun about this uniquely odoriferous California fish and its delta home. 

Odoriferous Delta Smelt

January 31, 2022 05:00 - 25 minutes - 58.1 MB

Whoever smelt the Delta Smelt dealt it...and it smells like cucumbers! Katrina and Guy talk with special guest Katherine Sun about this uniquely odoriferous California fish and its delta home. 

The Odoriferous Delta Smelt

January 31, 2022 04:00 - 25 minutes - 58.1 MB

Whoever smelt the Delta Smelt dealt it...and it smells like cucumbers! Katrina and Guy talk with special guest Katherine Sun about this uniquely odoriferous California fish and its delta home. 

Scalyhead Sculpin!

January 24, 2022 11:00 - 24 minutes - 56.8 MB

Big personality in a small, pokey, camouflaged package! Dive into a conversation about one of the most accessible and dominant intertidal groups of fishes, sculpins, and one member in particular: the scalyhead. Katrina and Guy are joined by guest Dr. Thaddaeus Buser, a diver, researcher, and sculpin enthusiast/3D skull reconstructionist.

Scalyhead Sculpin feat. Thaddaeus Buser

January 24, 2022 10:00 - 24 minutes - 56.8 MB

Big personality in a small, pokey, camouflaged package! Dive into a conversation about one of the most accessible and dominant intertidal groups of fishes, sculpins, and one member in particular: the scalyhead. Katrina and Guy are joined by guest Dr. Thaddaeus Buser, a diver, researcher, and sculpin enthusiast/3D skull reconstructionist.

Sea Lamprey feat. Stephen Coghlan & Marc Gaden

January 17, 2022 06:00 - 29 minutes - 67.1 MB

A conversation about the duality of Sea Lamprey, a prehistoric fish with a complicated reputation across its natural and introduced range. Katrina and Guy are joined by guests Stephen Coghlan (University of Maine) and Marc Gaden (Great Lakes Fishery Commission) to tackle this nuanced topic through the lens of science and history. 

Sea Lamprey: it's complicated!

January 17, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 67.1 MB

A conversation about the duality of Sea Lamprey, a prehistoric fish with a complicated reputation across its natural and introduced range. Katrina and Guy are joined by guests Stephen Coghlan (University of Maine) and Marc Gaden (Great Lakes Fishery Commission) to tackle this nuanced topic through the lens of science and history. 

Pirate Perch

January 10, 2022 06:00 - 15 minutes - 36.2 MB

What's a pirate’s favorite letter? You might think it’d be R but ’tis the C they love! On this episode, Katrina and Guy discuss the Pirate Perch. They arrr a mysterious, anatomically unique, chemically camouflaged freshwater fish found along the east coast of the United States and the backwater areas of the Mississippi Valley. 

Pirate Perch: Arr Matey!

January 10, 2022 05:00 - 15 minutes - 36.2 MB

What's a pirate’s favorite letter? You might think it’d be R but ’tis the C they love! On this episode, Katrina and Guy discuss the Pirate Perch. They arrr a mysterious, anatomically unique, chemically camouflaged freshwater fish found along the east coast of the United States and the backwater areas of the Mississippi Valley. 

Arr Matey, it's the Pirate Perch!

January 10, 2022 04:00 - 15 minutes - 36.2 MB

What's a pirate’s favorite letter? You might think it’d be R but ’tis the C they love! On this episode, Katrina and Guy discuss the Pirate Perch. They arrr a mysterious, anatomically unique, chemically camouflaged freshwater fish found along the east coast of the United States and the backwater areas of the Mississippi Valley. 

Behind the Scenes: Back Cast, Fish Forward!

January 03, 2022 22:05 - 57 minutes - 78.5 MB

Katrina, Guy and friends share favorite moments from Season 1 and offer a sneak peek into Season 2. Go behind the scenes and learn how the co-hosts and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service production partner Citizen Racecar turn fun, in-depth conversations with guests into digestible stories about ALL THE FISH. 

Holiday Darters feat. Dr. Brett Albanese

December 27, 2021 06:00 - 18 minutes - 42 MB

Katrina, Guy, and special guest Dr. Brett Albanese from Georgia DNR's Freshwater Biodiversity Program take a deep dive into the life of a particularly festive fish: the holiday darter. Considered "the warblers of the fish world" by some, these tiny, dazzling fishes make southeastern U.S. streams merry and bright.     

Holiday Darters: Making Streams Merry & Bright

December 27, 2021 04:00 - 18 minutes - 42 MB

Katrina, Guy, and special guest Dr. Brett Albanese from Georgia DNR's Freshwater Biodiversity Program take a deep dive into the life of a particularly festive fish: the holiday darter. Considered "the warblers of the fish world" by some, these tiny, dazzling fishes make southeastern U.S. streams merry and bright. 

Chum Salmon feat. Jesse Morin & Michelle George

December 20, 2021 06:00 - 22 minutes - 50.5 MB

This episode takes a special angle on Chum Salmon. Jesse Morin and Michelle George from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation join Katrina and Guy to talk about an early form of fisheries management by pre-contact Indigenous peoples. 

Pre-Contact Chum Salmon Management

December 20, 2021 04:00 - 22 minutes - 50.5 MB

This episode takes a special angle on Chum Salmon. Jesse Morin and Michelle George from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation join Katrina and Guy to talk about an early form of fisheries management by pre-contact Indigenous peoples. 

Tomcod feat. Jimmy Evak

December 13, 2021 06:00 - 18 minutes - 43 MB

Jimmy Evak from Kotzebue, Alaska joins Katrina and Guy to talk about what’s known in his "neck of the tundra" as tomcod/uuġaq. You'll get an audio show-and-tell of Jimmy’s handmade willow jigging sticks, fish he's caught this year, and learn about this important little fish from an Iñupiaq perspective.  

Alaska's Tomcod (Uuġaq)

December 13, 2021 05:00 - 18 minutes - 43 MB

Jimmy Evak from Kotzebue, Alaska joins Katrina and Guy to talk about what’s known in his "neck of the tundra" as tomcod/uuġaq. You'll get an audio show-and-tell of Jimmy’s handmade willow jigging sticks, fish he's caught, and learn about the importance of this northern fish to local community members.  

Jigging for Tomcod (Uuġaq)

December 13, 2021 04:00 - 18 minutes - 43 MB

Jimmy Evak from Kotzebue, Alaska joins Katrina and Guy to talk about what’s known in his "neck of the tundra" as tomcod/uuġaq. You'll get an audio show-and-tell of Jimmy’s handmade willow jigging sticks, fish he's caught, and learn about the importance of this northern fish to local community members.  

Bull Trout feat. Dan Brewer & Stephanie Gunckel

December 06, 2021 05:30 - 20 minutes - 46.1 MB

Katrina and Guy talk Bull Trout with two guests who have dedicated much of their professional lives to this fascinating species. These big, beautiful fish of the Pacific Northwest take their habitat clean, cold, connected and complex. 

Bull Trout: Big Beauty!

December 06, 2021 05:00 - 20 minutes - 46.1 MB

Katrina and Guy talk Bull Trout with two guests who have dedicated much of their professional lives to this fascinating species: Dan Brewer and Stephanie Gunckel. These big, beautiful fish of the Pacific Northwest take their habitat clean, cold, connected and complex. 

Big and Beautiful: Bull Trout

December 06, 2021 04:00 - 20 minutes - 46.1 MB

Katrina and Guy talk Bull Trout with two guests who have dedicated much of their professional lives to this fascinating species: Dan Brewer and Stephanie Gunckel. These big, beautiful fish of the Pacific Northwest take their habitat clean, cold, connected and complex. 

Mudsharks (Lota lota) feat. Raymond Woods

November 29, 2021 06:00 - 20 minutes - 47.4 MB

Mudsharks! Depending where you live, these bottom-dwelling, single-whiskered fish are also known as burbot, ling, eelpout, cusk, and, in the Kobuk area of Alaska, "Tiktaalik" (the list goes on). Katrina and Guy talk with guest Raymond Woods, Iñupiaq Program Coordinator for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, about traditional under-ice trapping techniques for this amazing, important fish. 

Fishing Mudsharks with Traditional Traps

November 29, 2021 04:00 - 20 minutes - 47.4 MB

Mudsharks! Depending where you live, these bottom-dwelling, single-whiskered fish are also known as burbot, ling, eelpout, cusk, and, in the Kobuk area of Alaska, "Tiktaalik" (the list goes on). Guest Raymond Woods, Iñupiaq Program Coordinator for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, shares his knowledge about traditional under-ice trapping techniques for this amazing, important fish. 

Lake Chubs feat. Dr. Kevin Fraley

November 22, 2021 06:00 - 19 minutes - 44.3 MB

Katrina and Guy talk with micro-fishing enthusiast/fisheries ecologist Dr. Kevin Fraley about North America's northernmost true minnow, and Alaska's one and only, the Lake Chub! This itty bitty popular snack fish for myriad wildlife can be caught both on the fly and through the ice. Time to add a new species to your life list!

Lake Chubs: Minnow of the North

November 22, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 44.3 MB

Katrina and Guy talk with micro-fishing enthusiast/fisheries ecologist Dr. Kevin Fraley about North America's northernmost true minnow, and Alaska's one and only, the Lake Chub! This itty bitty popular snack fish for myriad wildlife can be caught both on the fly and through the ice. Time to add a new species to your life list!

Lake Chubs: North America's Northernmost True Minnow

November 22, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 44.3 MB

Katrina and Guy talk with micro-fishing enthusiast/fisheries ecologist Dr. Kevin Fraley about North America's northernmost true minnow, and Alaska's one and only, the Lake Chub! This itty bitty popular snack fish for myriad wildlife can be caught both on the fly and through the ice. Time to add a new species to your life list!

Devils Hole Pupfish feat. Jenny Gumm & Kevin Wilson

November 15, 2021 06:00 - 24 minutes - 55.3 MB

We're taking a journey to a tiny oasis in the Nevada desert, where a blue gem of a fish ekes out a living in extreme conditions. From earthquakes in Alaska to water rights and intruders' boxer shorts, these fish are both isolated from and connected to events way beyond their small geography of existence. 

Devils Hole Pupfish: Tiny Oasis

November 15, 2021 05:00 - 24 minutes - 55.3 MB

We're taking a journey to a tiny oasis in the Nevada desert, where a blue gem of a fish ekes out a living in extreme conditions. From earthquakes in Alaska to water rights and intruders' boxer shorts, these fish are both isolated from and connected to events way beyond their small geography of existence. Guests Jenny Gumm and Kevin Wilson join the conversation as guests.

Devils Hole Pupfish: A Tiny Oasis

November 15, 2021 04:00 - 24 minutes - 55.3 MB

We're taking a journey to a tiny oasis in the Nevada desert, where a blue gem of a fish ekes out a living in extreme conditions. From earthquakes in Alaska to water rights and intruders' boxer shorts, these fish are both isolated from and connected to events way beyond their small geography of existence. Guests Jenny Gumm and Kevin Wilson join the conversation as guests.

Humpback Whitefish feat. Travis David

November 08, 2021 06:00 - 19 minutes - 45.5 MB

Get to know the humpback-iest of the whitefish and local favorite.  Travis David takes Katrina and Guy to fish camp and gives his own unique whitefish take on Bubba Gump shrimp recipes. Travis is Athabascan and the Environmental Education Specialist for Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. 

Humpback Whitefish: Athabascan Fish Camp

November 08, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 45.5 MB

Get to know the humpback-iest of Alaska's whitefish and local favorite. Guest Travis David from Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge shares his Athabascan perspective and takes Katrina and Guy to fish camp.

American Eels feat. Holly Richards

November 01, 2021 05:00 - 22 minutes - 52.2 MB

The American eel starts its mysterious life in the Sargasso Sea before making its way into rivers along the Eastern Seaboard. Katrina and Guy are joined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish enthusiast and eel fan Holly Richards. 

Mysterious American Eel!

November 01, 2021 04:00 - 22 minutes - 52.2 MB

The American eel starts its mysterious life in the Sargasso Sea before making its way into rivers along the Eastern Seaboard. Katrina and Guy are joined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish enthusiast and eel fan Holly Richards.