What kinds of fish live in the Mississippi River?

The Mississippi River supports a diverse array of fish species throughout its course. The most significant varieties found in the river include:

• Catfish: Several types are present, with some reaching large sizes and supporting commercial fishing operations along the middle and lower sections of the river.12
• Walleyes and Suckers: These species are particularly prevalent in the upper river, where they are central to the sport-fishing industries in Minnesota and Wisconsin.12
• Carp: This category includes various species, notably the invasive Asian carp. Species such as the grass, bighead, black, and silver carp were introduced to the United States and have since colonized the Mississippi River system, where they are considered an ecological threat due to their consumption of plankton and aquatic vegetation.132
• Garfish: These are also identified as a notable variety of fish within the river.12

While the river once supported more robust populations of other aquatic life, some species, such as those in the shrimp and crab fisheries of the brackish waters, are currently in decline.1