Freshwater Fish of the Northeast

Most anglers and locals are well aware of the most popular game fish that inhabit the waters of the Northeast, including the largemouth bass, the rainbow trout, and the yellow perch. But the habitats of New England and New York's inland waters boast a much broader array of fish than first meets the eye or hook.

In Freshwater Fish of the Northeast, the father-and-son team of David A. Patterson and Matt Patterson have fished the waters of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York to catch and illustrate more than 60 of the region's most popular (or sometimes obscure) fish, from game fish to bait fish, and those in between. From the bluegill to the walleye, the lake trout, brookie, and Coho salmon, this colorful and helpful guide includes detailed information on each species, describing their habits and habitats, behaviors, history, and lore.

The Pattersons organize the book by fish family, including sunfish and bass (Centrarchidae), perch and darters (Percidae), salmon and trout (Salmonidae), bullhead and catfish (Ictaluridae), and many others. Each species is rendered in lifelike detail in pencil and acrylic paint, with close attention given to each fish's unique physical characteristics. Most of the illustrations are based on the authors' own live catches, in order to best capture the colors and traits of these fish in their native waters. Both art book and guidebook, this volume will stir memories of fish caught and a few of those that got away.

MATT PATTERSON is a professional illustrator who trained at The Art Institute of Boston. DAVID A. PATTERSON, recently retired, taught high-school biology for thirty-four years in Billerica, Massachusetts. This is their first book.