Inland Fishes of Washington State

An overview of Washington's topography and natural provinces clarifies the influence of geographical, historical, economic, and political forces on the existence of freshwater fishes today. This wide-ranging study gives balanced coverage to nearly everything that is known about the appearance, distribution, growth, reproduction, consumption, and survival of these fish. Salmon, perhaps the most prized fish in the Northwest, are here placed within the context of the many other mutually supporting species that together make up the ecological network that sustains them all. Forces impacting fish populations - the presence of non-native and introduced fish, historical and contemporary urban development, the management of water resources - are also discussed.

The book provides instruction on the basic methods of fish identification, with keys and illustrations that bring together the traits and forms most useful in distinguishing species and subspecies. The keys follow a simple arrangement that progressively illustrates and discusses traits distinctive to each fish.

The valuable information presented here benefits from the authors' many years of firsthand experience in the field, their years of study and research, and their awareness of and access to the best investigative work being done today by biologists and researchers across the country.

The best asset to this volume is the photographs of each species of fish, including male and female examples. There is a thorough index that includes scientific names and common names as well as appendices with checklists of general distributions of fish in the Pacific Northwest and a list of extensive references.

Although the title says "Inland Fishes," be aware that this volume also includes those fish found in estuarine and marine locales, for example the Pleuronectid flat fish "Starry Flounder" a marine fish also found in Puget Sound. This volume not only includes fish found in Washington State waters, but also the waters of the entire Pacific Northwest, including Alaska, British Columbia and the Yukon--and perhaps Northern California.

The section on Species Keys and Life History Accounts is broken down by Family. Identification information includes: Distinguishing Characteristics, Distribution (with maps), Habits and Habitat, Age and Growth, Reproduction, Food, Remarks and References for each Species

I wish that I had access to this volume when I was identifying Cottid and Salmonid fishes, 'way back in the mid-1970's!