New Jersey is home to nearly 60 native fish species, which form a significant component of the state’s aquatic biological diversity and natural resource heritage.  The term “native” is reserved for species originally found within a particular geographic area prior to European colonization.  Surprising to many, the majority of our popular sportfish are not native to New Jersey waters and were introduced from other countries (exotic) or from neighboring states or watersheds (non-native) over the last few hundred years for recreation, consumption, or biological control.  Commonly sought-after game species such as Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Brown, Rainbow, and Lake Trout, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Hybrid Striped Bass, Walleye, and Common Carp were historically introduced to provide recreational fisheries.  Many of these species have become “naturalized” as they have long-established reproducing populations, while others require annual stocking to provide significant fisheries.  Prior to these introductions, the predominant freshwater sportfish native to New Jersey are Brook Trout, Pumpkinseed, Redbreast Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Chain Pickerel, White Catfish, Brown and Yellow Bullheads, and American Shad. 

Many native fish species such as Pumpkinseed, Blacknose Dace, and White Sucker are common, abundant, widely distributed, tolerant to environmental degradation, and persist within a wide array of New Jersey waters.  Others belong to a suite considered Fishes of Conservation Concern and are defined as fishes that are either state or federally listed, candidates for State Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern status, and those listed as Focal Species within the State Wildlife Action Plan.  Species that are part of unique assemblages are also considered.  Species that warrant additional investigation due to questionable status or species considered data deficient may also be considered Fishes of Conservation Concern.

Native Fishes of Conservation Concern often have stringent habitat and/or water quality requirements and are typically those most susceptible to competition and /or predation from non-native species.  Distributions of these species tend to be narrow, disjunct, and of low density.  These characteristics and sensitivities of these species make them vulnerable.  Species that fit these conditions include but are not limited to Brook Trout, Bridle Shiner, Blackbanded Sunfish, and Slimy Sculpin.  The loss of any of these unique fish species through human impact is an undesirable outcome.  In addition, natural factors such as climatic variations and watershed succession may dictate future decline or expansion of fishes that are on the periphery of their established ranges. 

The Freshwater Fish of NJ page provides additional information on fish species native to New Jersey.