Biggest Freshwater Fish You Can Catch in the US

Biggest Fish You Can Catch in the US

These are the giants that live in US freshwater.

FISHYAF Image Coming Soon
You don’t need to travel the world to chase freshwater giants—some of the biggest fish on the planet swim right here in the United States. This list highlights the largest freshwater species anglers can realistically target across US rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. From prehistoric fish like white-sturgeon and gar to massive catfish and apex predators, these are the fish that define American big-water fishing. If you’re chasing size, power, and a true trophy without leaving the country, this is where it starts.

Top 10 Species

Meet the ten species that earned their spot on this list. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.

1

Alligator Gar

Verified
World Record 279 lb 0 oz
Art Weston / 2011
Rio Grande, Texas
Signature Fact Their eggs are poisonous to humans, even after cooking-roe tacos are a very bad idea.
Click to Learn More About Alligator Gar
2

White Sturgeon

Verified
World Record 468lbs 0oz
oey Pallotta III / 1983
San Pablo Bay, California, USA.
Signature Fact Eleven‑foot white sturgeon sometimes launch completely out of the water-prehistoric armor doing full‑on tarpon acrobatics.
Click to Learn More About White Sturgeon
3

Blue Catfish

Verified
World Record 143 lb 0 oz
Richard Nicholas Anderson / 2011
Buggs Island Lake, Virginia
Signature Fact World record: 143 pounds-hook one and the first surge can shove a jon boat sideways.
Click to Learn More About Blue Catfish
4

Flathead

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 123 lb 0 oz
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Signature Fact The IGFA all-tackle record flathead weighed 123 lb 9 oz-basically a kindergarten kid with whiskers.
5

Lake Sturgeon

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 310 lb 0 oz
Albert A. Wigen / 1953
Lake of the Woods, Ontario
Signature Fact Females can live past 100 and may spawn only every 4-9 years-your PB might be a century-old grandma.
6

American Paddlefish

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 144 lb 8 oz
Clinton Boldridge / 1916
Atchison County, Kansas
Signature Fact That giant paddle is an electric antenna, homing on zooplankton by sensing microvolt fields in murky water.
7

Muskellunge

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 67 lb 8 oz
Cal Johnson / 1949
Lake Court Oreilles, Wisconsin
Signature Fact A shocking number of hookups explode inches from the net during boatside figure‑eights-pure cardiac fishing.
8

Striped Bass (Striper)

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 81 lb 14 oz
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Signature Fact Their eggs must stay drifting for about 48 hours-sink once, and the entire spawn suffocates.
9

Largemouth Bass

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
10

Common Carp

Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record 75 lb 11 oz
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Signature Fact They remember being hooked for over a year, dodging that same rig and flavor like seasoned veterans.

FAQs

What is the biggest freshwater fish in the US?

The white white-sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in the US, capable of reaching over 10 feet in length and weighing hundreds of pounds.

What are the largest freshwater fish you can catch?

Alligator gar, white-sturgeon, blue catfish, flathead catfish, american-paddlefish, and muskellunge are among the largest freshwater fish anglers can target in the US.

Where can you catch giant freshwater fish in the US?

Major river systems like the Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia Rivers, as well as large reservoirs and lakes, are prime locations.

Are these fish hard to catch?

Yes. Many require specialized gear, patience, and knowledge of specific habitats to target successfully.

What makes a fish a trophy freshwater catch?

Size, rarity, and the challenge of landing the fish all contribute to what anglers consider a true trophy.

Species Speed Run

Related Guides

FISHYAF Image Coming Soon

Freshwater Bucket List Fish (Must-Catch Species)

FISHYAF Image Coming Soon

Top 10 Gamefish Fish That Test Your Limits

FISHYAF Image Coming Soon

Fish That Fight Way Harder Than Expected

FISHYAF Image Coming Soon

US River Monsters (Real Species)

Random

Mystery List

Surprise Me →
Rep FishyAF on the Water Shop Best Sellers →
Striper Shirt Angler Hat Switchback Hat Unlucky Hat UPF Shirt