![]() ![]() Tim / CC BY 4.0įlorida definitely has no shortage of panfish species. As a result, traces of mercury have been found in specimens that were fished in the lakes and canals of southwestern Florida.Ĥ) Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) The largest golden shiners develop an orange stripe that runs across the bottom part of their bodies. As it is an apex predator that feeds on secondary consumers, it tends to bioaccumulate heavy metals. In the state, it is commonly baited using threadfin shad, crawfish, minnows, and frogs. It can eat practically any fish, amphibian, bird, unarmored reptile, or mammal that can fit into its enormous gape!Ĭonsidered the official state freshwater fish of Florida, the largemouth bass can mature to a full length of 12 – 24 inches (30 – 61 cm). As long as live prey is available, this voracious predator is unlikely to go hungry. Though it prefers high-visibility waters, it can also occasionally be found in turbid ponds and estuaries. ![]() One of Florida’s most popular gamefish species, the largemouth bass favors conditions in clear and calm lakes. Individuals that are in search of prey tend to stay close to vegetation, around which they are likely to find crayfish, aquatic insects, and smaller fish.Ģ) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) Bluegills have a preference for mild to warm water temperatures, so you may see them out in the open waters during summer. In Florida, it can be found in shallow lake systems, marshes, and swamps with clear to turbid waters. The warmouth naturally occurs in the Mississippi River drainage and in streams that exit into the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Able to survive in bodies of water where other sunfish may struggle to persist, L. Though its common name alludes to its appearance, it also hints at its aggressive nature. Reddish-brown, the streaks are likened to warpaint as they run across this fish’s eye and extend toward its gills. With hundreds of conserved and well-monitored lake systems, there’s definitely no shortage of important fish species in Florida.Īlso known as the strawberry perch or the redeye, the warmouth is a valuable panfish with notable streaks on its face. Dozens of fish inhabit and migrate through the state’s most pristine waters. Johns River (the longest river in the US), and the handful of manatee sanctuaries are just a few spectacular sites with incomparable freshwater communities. The forested wetlands of the Everglades, the St. Truly, they form the backbone of both state and national parks. Classified according to their trophic profiles, their significance in nature, and their benefits to communities, many of these waterbodies are afforded ample protection. The many springs, aquifers, rivers, streams, marshes, and swamps work together to distribute important ecological resources. With a map that is speckled with large lakes and ponds, it is evident that freshwater plays a crucial role in Florida’s landscape. Large rivers wind through thousands of kilometers and exit into estuaries, deltas, and bays. These occur from the northern border to the southern tip of its coastline. The state boasts an impressive diversity of streams, which number close to 1,700. Home to thousands of freshwater features and vast expanses of rich wetlands, Florida is full of both natural and artificial waterways. 1.24 24) Suwannee bass (Micropterus notius) The Everglades (pictured) is one of the most spectacular bodies of water in Florida and is home to many different wildlife species. ![]()
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