| Fallfish | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Leuciscidae |
| Subfamily: | Plagopterinae |
| Genus: | Semotilus |
| Species: | S. corporalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Semotilus corporalis (Mitchill, 1817) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Thefallfish (Semotilus corporalis) is a species of freshwaterray-finned fish in thefamilyLeuciscidae. The fallfish is the largestminnow species native to Eastern North America.
Average specimens generally measure about 7 in (18 cm) in length, but individuals occasionally grow to 15 in (38 cm)[2] with exceptional specimens of more than 19 in (48 cm) having been recorded.[3] Juvenile fallfish have a dark stripe that runs down the center of their body. They are a silvery shade on the top and sides of the body, but have a white shading on the belly. Breeding males develop a pinkish tone on theopercular region, although the species does not develop bright breeding colors. Spawning males build stone nests, known as a redd, which form a prominent part of the bottom on many streams throughout the northeast. Spawning is communal with both males and females joining the nest builder.[4]
Fallfish are found in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, where they inhabit clear streams, lakes, and ponds. They predominantly prefer swift currents, however, they can also be found in well oxygenated pools. As their name suggests they are often found at the base of waterfalls. Before the introduction of fish such assmallmouth bass,largemouth bass, andbrown trout, the fallfish was theapex predator in many streams.[5]
Juvenile and young fallfish primarily consumechironomids andzooplankton. Once they reach 100mm their diet transitions to small fish (including their own young) and prey of opportunity such as fish eggs and terrestrial insects. There is little overlap between the diets of juvenile and adult fallfish.[6]
Fallfish are often encountered when fishing for more desirable species, but their large size, dogged fighting style, powerful runs on light tackle, and willingness to strike make them a worthy quarry in their own right. They will readily take bait, lures, and flies, and have been known to strike lures almost as large as themselves.
TheInternational Game Fish Association (IGFA) All Tackle World Record for fallfish is 1.65 kg (3 lb 10 oz), caught by Jonathan McNamara in theSusquehanna River nearOwego, New York, USA on April 15, 2009. The record was tied on May 6, 2022, by angler Josh D. Dolin while fishing theCowpasture River nearWilliamsville, Virginia. Two heavier, more recent, record fish from this river are currently pending,[7] which will take the former record to 4.0 lb (1.81 kg).[3] Previous records came from New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.[citation needed]Alex Pidhorodeckyj caught a record-breaking fallfish weighing 4 lbs. 1 oz. from the St. Lawrence River, St. Lawrence County on May 13, 2025. This broke the 16-year-old record caught from the Susquehanna River by nearly half a pound.
Thoreau said of its eating qualities: "it tastes ofbrown paper, salted."
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