A Naturalist's Guide to the Fishes of Ohio

Book excerpt: A Naturalist's Guide to the Fishes of Ohio represents the first comprehensive treatment of Ohio's fish species since M.B. Trautman's 1981 revision of The Fishes of Ohio. Illustrated with beautiful full-color photographs, this guide presents detailed information for 187 species of native and non-native fish, including recent introductions and several extinct or extirpated species. Each account offers field identification notes, population trends, spawning habits, the best sites to encounter each species, and distribution maps showing current and historical collection records. Easy-to-read graphics indicate each species' habitat preference and vulnerability to extirpation, and the engaging, informative descriptions provide interesting facts and useful cultural and historical context. This book will be a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in the natural history of the Midwest, and in learning more about Ohio's diverse, colorful, and unusual aquatic wildlife.