Almost every sizable body of water, providing it isn’t too polluted, will have some fish in it. Whether the fish have been stocked there, or appear through natural reproduction, there’s a good chance more than one species is present.
The following table lists a few common species of fish and provides typical habitats for them, as well as bait, lures, and flies that often trigger them to bite. Of course, these fish can be found in other habitats and will hit other offerings in addition to those listed.
| Fish | Water | Offering |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Fish | ||
| Bluegill | Ponds, lakes, and reservoirs | Worms, crickets, and small spinners |
| Largemouth bass | Ponds, lakes, and reservoirs | Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics |
| Smallmouth bass | Streams and rivers | Jigs, crankbaits, and topwaters |
| Channel catfish | Ponds, reservoirs, and rivers | Nightcrawlers and cutbait |
| Crappie | Ponds, reservoirs, and lakes | Minnows, spinners, and jigs |
| Northern pike | Cooler lakes and rivers | Spoons, crankbaits, and spinners |
| Rainbow trout | Cooler streams and deep lakes | Flies and spinners |
| Walleye | Cooler rivers and lakes | Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawlers |
| Saltwater Fish | ||
| Summer flounder | Bays, harbors, and estuaries | Jigs, shrimp, and cutbait |
| Red drum | Shallow bays, flats, and estuaries | Crankbaits, jigs, and cutbait |
| Weakfish | Shallow bays and marshes | Shrimp, jigs, and spoons |
| Bluefish | Bays, warm estuaries, and beaches | Spoons, crankbaits, and jigs |
| Snook | Warm lagoons, mangrove swamps, and estuaries | Crankbaits, livebait, and topwaters |
| Tarpon | Estuaries and mangrove bays | Livebait, spoons, and crankbaits |
| Yellowtail snapper | Coral reefs | Cutbait and squid |
| Goliath grouper | Rocky ledges, reefs, and wrecks | Livebait, cutbait, and squid |
