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Fish species guide
The water temperature each fish feeds best in, how warm or cold it can get before they shut down, how big they grow and when in the day they feed, for all 300 species BiteCast scores. The same numbers drive the Fish Score in the app.
In-depth guides
Largemouth bass81°F peak Dawn and dusk
Smallmouth bass70°F peak Dawn and dusk
Spotted bass77°F peak Dawn and dusk
Crappie70°F peak Dawn and dusk
Bluegill82°F peak Daytime
Channel catfish82°F peak Night
Blue catfish81°F peak Night
Flathead catfish81°F peak Night
Walleye70°F peak Dawn and dusk
Northern pike66°F peak Dawn and dusk
Muskie72°F peak Dawn and dusk
Yellow perch70°F peak Daytime
White bass70°F peak Dawn and dusk
Striped bass64°F peak Dawn and dusk
Rainbow trout59°F peak Dawn and dusk
Brown trout61°F peak Dawn and dusk
Brook trout57°F peak Dawn and dusk
Lake trout52°F peak Daytime
Redfish75°F peak Dawn and dusk
Speckled trout75°F peak Dawn and dusk
Summer flounder66°F peak Daytime
Snook81°F peak Dawn and dusk
Sheepshead79°F peak Daytime
Tarpon81°F peak Dawn and dusk
Common carp75°F peak Dawn and dusk
Water temperature chart: all 300 species
Peak is where feeding is strongest. The range is where the fish still feed readily. Temperatures are water, not air.
| Species | Water | Peak | Active range | Typical size | Feeds most |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AlbacoreThunnus alalunga |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 31 in | Daytime |
 AlewifeAlosa pseudoharengus |
Fresh and salt | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 70°F | 10 in | Daytime |
 Alligator garAtractosteus spatula |
Fresh and salt | 79°F 26°C | 66 to 90°F | 71 in | Night |
 Almaco jackSeriola rivoliana |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 84°F | 28 in | Dawn and dusk |
 American eelAnguilla rostrata |
Fresh and salt | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 24 in | Night |
 American shadAlosa sapidissima |
Fresh and salt | 61°F 16°C | 52 to 70°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Annular seabreamDiplodus annularis |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 7 in | Daytime |
 Arctic charSalvelinus alpinus |
Fresh and salt | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 61°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Arctic graylingThymallus arcticus |
Freshwater | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 61°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 AspLeuciscus aspius |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 22 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Atlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnus |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 52 to 75°F | 59 in | Daytime |
 Atlantic bonitoSarda sarda |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 77°F | 20 in | Daytime |
 Atlantic codGadus morhua |
Saltwater | 48°F 9°C | 36 to 57°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Atlantic herringClupea harengus |
Saltwater | 50°F 10°C | 39 to 59°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 Atlantic horse mackerelTrachurus trachurus |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 68°F | 11 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Atlantic mackerelScomber scombrus |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 43 to 61°F | 12 in | Daytime |
 Atlantic menhadenBrevoortia tyrannus |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 12 in | Daytime |
 Atlantic needlefishStrongylura marina |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 68 to 88°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Atlantic salmonSalmo salar |
Fresh and salt | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 72°F | 30 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Atlantic silversideMenidia menidia |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 75°F | 4 in | Daytime |
 Atlantic spadefishChaetodipterus faber |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 84°F | 16 in | Daytime |
 Australian bassMacquaria novemaculeata |
Fresh and salt | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 13 in | Night |
 Australian salmonArripis trutta |
Saltwater | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 72°F | 18 in | Daytime |
 Axillary seabreamPagellus acarne |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 9 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Ballan wrasseLabrus bergylta |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Banded killifishFundulus diaphanus |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 4 in | Daytime |
 BarbelBarbus barbus |
Freshwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 75°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 BarracoutaThyrsites atun |
Saltwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 66°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 BarramundiLates calcarifer |
Brackish | 86°F 30°C | 79 to 95°F | 26 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Barred surfperchAmphistichus argenteus |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 68°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 Bay anchovyAnchoa mitchilli |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 3 in | Daytime |
 Black breamAcanthopagrus butcheri |
Brackish | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Black bullheadAmeiurus melas |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 66 to 90°F | 10 in | Night |
| Black crappiePomoxis nigromaculatus |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 79°F | 10 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Black drumPogonias cromis |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 28 in | Night |
 Black gobyGobius niger |
Saltwater | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 73°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 Black rockfishSebastes melanops |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 59°F | 16 in | Daytime |
 Black sea bassCentropristis striata |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 61 to 81°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Black seabreamSpondyliosoma cantharus |
Saltwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 72°F | 12 in | Daytime |
 Blackfin tunaThunnus atlanticus |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 84°F | 22 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Blackhead seabreamAcanthopagrus schlegelii |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 81°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 Blackspot seabreamPagellus bogaraveo |
Saltwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 66°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Blonde rayRaja brachyura |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 64°F | 30 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Blue catfishIctalurus furcatus |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 68 to 91°F | 26 in | Night |
 Blue codParapercis colias |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 63°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Blue rockfishSebastes mystinus |
Saltwater | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 61°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 Blue threadfinEleutheronema tetradactylum |
Saltwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 91°F | 18 in | Dawn and dusk |
 BluefishPomatomus saltatrix |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
| BluegillLepomis macrochirus |
Freshwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 93°F | 7 in | Daytime |
 Bluntnose minnowPimephales notatus |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 3 in | Daytime |
 BogueBoops boops |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 8 in | Dawn and dusk |
 BonefishAlbula vulpes |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 20 in | Daytime |
 BowfinAmia calva |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 68 to 91°F | 22 in | Dawn and dusk |
 BrillScophthalmus rhombus |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 64°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Brook troutSalvelinus fontinalis |
Freshwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 64°F | 11 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Brown bullheadAmeiurus nebulosus |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 11 in | Night |
 Brown meagreSciaena umbra |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 11 in | Night |
| Brown troutSalmo trutta |
Freshwater | 61°F 16°C | 52 to 70°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Bull troutSalvelinus confluentus |
Freshwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 59°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 BurbotLota lota |
Freshwater | 52°F 11°C | 37 to 59°F | 20 in | Night |
 CabezonScorpaenichthys marmoratus |
Saltwater | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 61°F | 18 in | Dawn and dusk |
 California halibutParalichthys californicus |
Saltwater | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 72°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 California sheepheadSemicossyphus pulcher |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 72°F | 20 in | Daytime |
 CeroScomberomorus regalis |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 24 in | Daytime |
 Chain pickerelEsox niger |
Freshwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 75°F | 20 in | Daytime |
| Channel catfishIctalurus punctatus |
Freshwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 93°F | 18 in | Night |
 Chinook salmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha |
Fresh and salt | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 63°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 ChubSqualius cephalus |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Chub mackerelScomber colias |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Chum salmonOncorhynchus keta |
Fresh and salt | 55°F 13°C | 46 to 64°F | 26 in | Daytime |
 CoalfishPollachius virens |
Saltwater | 50°F 10°C | 39 to 59°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 CobiaRachycentron canadum |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 72 to 91°F | 39 in | Daytime |
 Coho salmonOncorhynchus kisutch |
Fresh and salt | 55°F 13°C | 46 to 64°F | 24 in | Daytime |
 ComberSerranus cabrilla |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 Common bleakAlburnus alburnus |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 Common breamAbramis brama |
Freshwater | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 73°F | 16 in | Night |
| Common carpCyprinus carpio |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 22 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Common dabLimanda limanda |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 61°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 Common daceLeuciscus leuciscus |
Freshwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 70°F | 7 in | Daytime |
 Common dentexDentex dentex |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 57 to 77°F | 24 in | Daytime |
 Common dragonetCallionymus lyra |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 66°F | 7 in | Daytime |
 Common gobyPomatoschistus microps |
Brackish | 61°F 16°C | 48 to 72°F | 2 in | Daytime |
 Common pandoraPagellus erythrinus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 57 to 77°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 Common shinerLuxilus cornutus |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 5 in | Daytime |
| Common snookCentropomus undecimalis |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 73 to 91°F | 26 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Common soleSolea solea |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 14 in | Night |
 Common stingrayDasyatis pastinaca |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 24 in | Night |
 Common two-banded seabreamDiplodus vulgaris |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 75°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 Common whitefishCoregonus lavaretus |
Freshwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 64°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Copper rockfishSebastes caurinus |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 59°F | 15 in | Daytime |
 Coral troutPlectropomus leopardus |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 72 to 88°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Corkwing wrasseSymphodus melops |
Saltwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 72°F | 6 in | Daytime |
 Creek chubSemotilus atromaculatus |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 6 in | Daytime |
 Crevalle jackCaranx hippos |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 70 to 90°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 Crucian carpCarassius carassius |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 8 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Cuckoo wrasseLabrus mixtus |
Saltwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 68°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 Cutthroat troutOncorhynchus clarkii |
Fresh and salt | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 63°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Dolly VardenSalvelinus malma |
Fresh and salt | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 61°F | 18 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Dusky flatheadPlatycephalus fuscus |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 81°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Dusky grouperEpinephelus marginatus |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 79°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Eastern mosquitofishGambusia holbrooki |
Freshwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 93°F | 2 in | Daytime |
 EelpoutZoarces viviparus |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 39 to 61°F | 12 in | Night |
 Estuary codEpinephelus coioides |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 90°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Estuary perchMacquaria colonorum |
Fresh and salt | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 13 in | Night |
 Eurasian minnowPhoxinus phoxinus |
Freshwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 3 in | Daytime |
 European anchovyEngraulis encrasicolus |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 6 in | Dawn and dusk |
 European bitterlingRhodeus amarus |
Freshwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 2 in | Daytime |
 European congerConger conger |
Saltwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 68°F | 47 in | Night |
 European eelAnguilla anguilla |
Fresh and salt | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 24 in | Night |
 European flounderPlatichthys flesus |
Brackish | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 66°F | 12 in | Night |
 European hakeMerluccius merluccius |
Saltwater | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 63°F | 20 in | Night |
 European perchPerca fluviatilis |
Freshwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 81°F | 10 in | Daytime |
 European pilchardSardina pilchardus |
Saltwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 70°F | 7 in | Dawn and dusk |
 European plaicePleuronectes platessa |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 61°F | 14 in | Night |
 European sea bassDicentrarchus labrax |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 European spratSprattus sprattus |
Saltwater | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 63°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 FingermarkLutjanus johnii |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 88°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Flathead catfishPylodictis olivaris |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 91°F | 26 in | Night |
 Flathead grey mulletMugil cephalus |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 18 in | Daytime |
 Florida pompanoTrachinotus carolinus |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 84°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 Freshwater drumAplodinotus grunniens |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Gag grouperMycteroperca microlepis |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 81°F | 28 in | Dawn and dusk |
 GarfishBelone belone |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 24 in | Daytime |
 Giant trevallyCaranx ignobilis |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 88°F | 31 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Gilthead seabreamSparus aurata |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 68 to 88°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Gizzard shadDorosoma cepedianum |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 Golden perchMacquaria ambigua |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Golden shinerNotemigonus crysoleucas |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 Golden trevallyGnathanodon speciosus |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 GoldfishCarassius auratus |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 8 in | Daytime |
 Goldsinny wrasseCtenolabrus rupestris |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 Grass carpCtenopharyngodon idella |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 28 in | Daytime |
 Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus |
Saltwater | 73°F 23°C | 63 to 82°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 GraylingThymallus thymallus |
Freshwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 64°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 Great barracudaSphyraena barracuda |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 90°F | 35 in | Daytime |
 Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili |
Saltwater | 73°F 23°C | 63 to 84°F | 35 in | Daytime |
 Greater weeverTrachinus draco |
Saltwater | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 72°F | 10 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Green sunfishLepomis cyanellus |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 6 in | Daytime |
 GudgeonGobio gobio |
Freshwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 HaddockMelanogrammus aeglefinus |
Saltwater | 46°F 8°C | 36 to 55°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 HapukuPolyprion oxygeneios |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 59°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 HogfishLachnolaimus maximus |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 84°F | 18 in | Daytime |
 IdeLeuciscus idus |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Inland silversideMenidia beryllina |
Brackish | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 3 in | Daytime |
 Japanese seabassLateolabrax japonicus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 77°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 John DoryZeus faber |
Saltwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 70°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Jungle perchKuhlia rupestris |
Fresh and salt | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 88°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 Kelp bassParalabrax clathratus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 15 in | Dawn and dusk |
 King George whitingSillaginodes punctatus |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 35 in | Daytime |
 King threadfinPolydactylus macrochir |
Saltwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 91°F | 26 in | Dawn and dusk |
 LadyfishElops saurus |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 86°F | 18 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Lake sturgeonAcipenser fulvescens |
Freshwater | 64°F 18°C | 52 to 75°F | 43 in | Night |
| Lake troutSalvelinus namaycush |
Freshwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 59°F | 24 in | Daytime |
 Lane snapperLutjanus synagris |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Largemouth bassMicropterus salmoides |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 91°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 LeerfishLichia amia |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 61 to 81°F | 28 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Lemon soleMicrostomus kitt |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 59°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 LingMolva molva |
Saltwater | 48°F 9°C | 37 to 57°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 LingcodOphiodon elongatus |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 61°F | 26 in | Daytime |
 Little tunnyEuthynnus alletteratus |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 84°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 Longear sunfishLepomis megalotis |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 Longnose garLepisosteus osseus |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 68 to 91°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Longtail tunaThunnus tonggol |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 84°F | 30 in | Dawn and dusk |
 LuderickGirella tricuspidata |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Mackerel tunaEuthynnus affinis |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 88°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 Mahi-mahiCoryphaena hippurus |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 72 to 91°F | 35 in | Daytime |
 Mangrove jackLutjanus argentimaculatus |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 73 to 91°F | 18 in | Night |
 Mangrove snapperLutjanus griseus |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 68 to 88°F | 14 in | Night |
 MeagreArgyrosomus regius |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 31 in | Dawn and dusk |
 MegrimLepidorhombus whiffiagonis |
Saltwater | 50°F 10°C | 39 to 57°F | 13 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Mountain whitefishProsopium williamsoni |
Freshwater | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 61°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 MullowayArgyrosomus japonicus |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 MummichogFundulus heteroclitus |
Brackish | 72°F 22°C | 59 to 84°F | 4 in | Daytime |
 Murray codMaccullochella peelii |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 79°F | 28 in | Night |
| MuskellungeEsox masquinongy |
Freshwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 81°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Mutton snapperLutjanus analis |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Narrow-barred Spanish mackerelScomberomorus commerson |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Northern kingfishMenticirrhus saxatilis |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Northern pikeEsox lucius |
Freshwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 77°F | 28 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Northern red snapperLutjanus campechanus |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 20 in | Any time |
 Northern snakeheadChanna argus |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 66 to 90°F | 22 in | Dawn and dusk |
 NursehoundScyliorhinus stellaris |
Saltwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 66°F | 35 in | Night |
 Pacific bonitoSarda chiliensis |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 Pacific halibutHippoglossus stenolepis |
Saltwater | 45°F 7°C | 34 to 52°F | 35 in | Daytime |
 Painted comberSerranus scriba |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 8 in | Daytime |
 Pearl perchGlaucosoma scapulare |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 79°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 PermitTrachinotus falcatus |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 24 in | Daytime |
 PinfishLagodon rhomboides |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 66 to 86°F | 6 in | Daytime |
 Pink salmonOncorhynchus gorbuscha |
Fresh and salt | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 61°F | 20 in | Daytime |
 PollackPollachius pollachius |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 61°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 Poor codTrisopterus minutus |
Saltwater | 54°F 12°C | 43 to 63°F | 7 in | Dawn and dusk |
 PoutingTrisopterus luscus |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 64°F | 10 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Prussian carpCarassius gibelio |
Freshwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 88°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 PumpkinseedLepomis gibbosus |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 6 in | Daytime |
 QueenfishScomberoides commersonnianus |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 88°F | 28 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykiss |
Freshwater | 59°F 15°C | 50 to 68°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Rainwater killifishLucania parva |
Brackish | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 88°F | 2 in | Daytime |
| Red drumSciaenops ocellatus |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 88°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Red emperorLutjanus sebae |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Red grouperEpinephelus morio |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 84°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Red gurnardChelidonichthys cuculus |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 64°F | 12 in | Daytime |
 Red porgyPagrus pagrus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 77°F | 15 in | Daytime |
 Red scorpionfishScorpaena scrofa |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 14 in | Night |
 Redbreast sunfishLepomis auritus |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 6 in | Daytime |
 Redear sunfishLepomis microlophus |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 91°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 RoachRutilus rutilus |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 8 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Rock bassAmbloplites rupestris |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 81°F | 7 in | Daytime |
 Rock gunnelPholis gunnellus |
Saltwater | 54°F 12°C | 41 to 63°F | 7 in | Night |
 Round gobyNeogobius melanostomus |
Brackish | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 5 in | Dawn and dusk |
 RuddScardinius erythrophthalmus |
Freshwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 RuffeGymnocephalus cernua |
Freshwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 5 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Saddled seabreamOblada melanura |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 9 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Saddletail snapperLutjanus malabaricus |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 22 in | Dawn and dusk |
 SalemaSarpa salpa |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 79°F | 10 in | Daytime |
 Samson fishSeriola hippos |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Sand flatheadPlatycephalus bassensis |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 13 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Sand gobyPomatoschistus minutus |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 3 in | Daytime |
 Sand whitingSillago ciliata |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 81°F | 12 in | Daytime |
 SaratogaScleropages leichardti |
Freshwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 91°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 SaugerSander canadensis |
Freshwater | 66°F 19°C | 54 to 77°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 ScupStenotomus chrysops |
Saltwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 70°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 ShannyLipophrys pholis |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 Sharpsnout seabreamDiplodus puntazzo |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 11 in | Dawn and dusk |
| SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 70 to 90°F | 16 in | Daytime |
 Sheepshead minnowCyprinodon variegatus |
Brackish | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 91°F | 2 in | Daytime |
 Shiner perchCymatogaster aggregata |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 4 in | Daytime |
 Silver breamBlicca bjoerkna |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 8 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Silver perchBairdiella chrysoura |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 8 in | Daytime |
 Silver trevallyPseudocaranx georgianus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 16 in | Daytime |
 Small-spotted catsharkScyliorhinus canicula |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 64°F | 22 in | Night |
| Smallmouth bassMicropterus dolomieu |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 81°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 SnapperPagrus auratus |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 61 to 81°F | 18 in | Daytime |
 Sockeye salmonOncorhynchus nerka |
Fresh and salt | 55°F 13°C | 46 to 63°F | 22 in | Daytime |
 Sooty grunterHephaestus fuliginosus |
Freshwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 93°F | 14 in | Daytime |
 Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 81°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Spangled emperorLethrinus nebulosus |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 20 in | Daytime |
 Spined loachCobitis taenia |
Freshwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 70°F | 4 in | Night |
 SpotLeiostomus xanthurus |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 Spottail shinerNotropis hudsonius |
Freshwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 4 in | Daytime |
| Spotted bassMicropterus punctulatus |
Freshwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 88°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Spotted garLepisosteus oculatus |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 68 to 91°F | 24 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Spotted mackerelScomberomorus munroi |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 84°F | 24 in | Daytime |
 Spotted rayRaja montagui |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 64°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 68 to 86°F | 18 in | Dawn and dusk |
 SpurdogSqualus acanthias |
Saltwater | 50°F 10°C | 39 to 59°F | 31 in | Night |
 Starry smoothhoundMustelus asterias |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 68°F | 35 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Stone loachBarbatula barbatula |
Freshwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 68°F | 4 in | Night |
| Striped bassMorone saxatilis |
Fresh and salt | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 28 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Striped killifishFundulus majalis |
Saltwater | 73°F 23°C | 63 to 86°F | 5 in | Daytime |
 Striped red mulletMullus surmuletus |
Saltwater | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 73°F | 10 in | Dawn and dusk |
| Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 77°F | 18 in | Daytime |
 SunbleakLeucaspius delineatus |
Freshwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 3 in | Daytime |
 SwordfishXiphias gladius |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 55 to 79°F | 79 in | Night |
 TarakihiNemadactylus macropterus |
Saltwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 64°F | 13 in | Daytime |
| TarponMegalops atlanticus |
Saltwater | 81°F 27°C | 73 to 90°F | 59 in | Dawn and dusk |
 TarwhineRhabdosargus sarba |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 81°F | 11 in | Dawn and dusk |
 TautogTautoga onitis |
Saltwater | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 73°F | 16 in | Daytime |
 TenchTinca tinca |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 14 in | Night |
 Thicklip grey mulletChelon labrosus |
Brackish | 64°F 18°C | 54 to 75°F | 16 in | Daytime |
 Thornback rayRaja clavata |
Saltwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 66°F | 28 in | Night |
 Tiger flatheadPlatycephalus richardsoni |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 68°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Tompot blennyParablennius gattorugine |
Saltwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 72°F | 6 in | Daytime |
 TripletailLobotes surinamensis |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 86°F | 20 in | Daytime |
 Trout codMaccullochella macquariensis |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 18 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Tub gurnardChelidonichthys lucerna |
Saltwater | 57°F 14°C | 46 to 66°F | 16 in | Daytime |
 TurbotScophthalmus maximus |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 18 in | Daytime |
 Two-spotted gobyGobiusculus flavescens |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 70°F | 2 in | Daytime |
 Undulate rayRaja undulata |
Saltwater | 59°F 15°C | 48 to 68°F | 28 in | Dawn and dusk |
 VendaceCoregonus albula |
Freshwater | 55°F 13°C | 45 to 63°F | 8 in | Daytime |
 Vermilion rockfishSebastes miniatus |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 59°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 WahooAcanthocybium solandri |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 88°F | 51 in | Daytime |
| WalleyeSander vitreus |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 57 to 82°F | 18 in | Dawn and dusk |
 WarmouthLepomis gulosus |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 91°F | 7 in | Dawn and dusk |
 WeakfishCynoscion regalis |
Saltwater | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 77°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Wels catfishSilurus glanis |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 47 in | Night |
 Western Australian salmonArripis truttacea |
Saltwater | 63°F 17°C | 52 to 72°F | 20 in | Daytime |
 Western mosquitofishGambusia affinis |
Freshwater | 82°F 28°C | 72 to 93°F | 2 in | Daytime |
| White bassMorone chrysops |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 81°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
 White catfishAmeiurus catus |
Freshwater | 81°F 27°C | 70 to 91°F | 14 in | Night |
 White crappiePomoxis annularis |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 79°F | 10 in | Dawn and dusk |
 White gruntHaemulon plumierii |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 66 to 86°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
 White mulletMugil curema |
Saltwater | 77°F 25°C | 68 to 88°F | 12 in | Daytime |
 White perchMorone americana |
Brackish | 68°F 20°C | 57 to 79°F | 9 in | Dawn and dusk |
 White seabassAtractoscion nobilis |
Saltwater | 61°F 16°C | 50 to 68°F | 30 in | Dawn and dusk |
 White seabreamDiplodus sargus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 77°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 White suckerCatostomus commersonii |
Freshwater | 68°F 20°C | 55 to 79°F | 14 in | Dawn and dusk |
 WhitingMerlangius merlangus |
Saltwater | 52°F 11°C | 41 to 61°F | 12 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus |
Saltwater | 50°F 10°C | 37 to 59°F | 13 in | Daytime |
 Yellow bullheadAmeiurus natalis |
Freshwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 90°F | 10 in | Night |
| Yellow perchPerca flavescens |
Freshwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 79°F | 9 in | Daytime |
 Yellowfin breamAcanthopagrus australis |
Saltwater | 72°F 22°C | 61 to 82°F | 11 in | Daytime |
 Yellowfin tunaThunnus albacares |
Saltwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 47 in | Daytime |
 Yellowfin whitingSillago schomburgkii |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 79°F | 12 in | Daytime |
 Yellowtail kingfishSeriola lalandi |
Saltwater | 70°F 21°C | 59 to 81°F | 35 in | Daytime |
 Yellowtail snapperOcyurus chrysurus |
Saltwater | 79°F 26°C | 68 to 86°F | 16 in | Dawn and dusk |
 ZanderSander lucioperca |
Freshwater | 75°F 24°C | 64 to 86°F | 20 in | Dawn and dusk |
 Zebra seabreamDiplodus cervinus |
Saltwater | 66°F 19°C | 55 to 75°F | 13 in | Dawn and dusk |
Free to use with credit to BiteCast (bitecast.fish). Sizes are typical adult lengths; big fish run well past them.
Common questions
What water temperature do fish bite best in?
It depends on the species. Warmwater fish such as largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish feed hardest around 78 to 82°F, coolwater fish such as walleye, pike and perch around 66 to 72°F, and trout around 57 to 61°F. Each species stays active across a band of roughly 10 to 12°F either side of its peak.
What water temperature is too cold for fish to bite?
No single number works for every fish, but most species slow down sharply once the water drops more than about 10 to 12°F below their peak. For largemouth bass that is about 70°F, for walleye the upper 50s°F, and rainbow trout keep feeding down to about 50°F.