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University of California Press

Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California

by Samuel M. McGinnis (Author), Doris Alcorn (Illustrator)
eBook
Price: $29.95 / £25.00
Publication Date: Sep 2006
Edition: 1st Edition
Title Details:
Rights: World
Pages: 550
ISBN: 9780520936966
Series:
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About the Book

This popular book is the only field guide to all of California's 130 freshwater fish species, both native and introduced. Revised and updated throughout, the guide now features the only complete collection of color illustrations of California freshwater fishes available anywhere. These color illustrations, coupled with a set of highly detailed black-and-white drawings, provide a quick and easy method for identifying fish in the field. Detailed natural history accounts for each species give a wealth of information, including the current endangered or threatened status of many native species.

* Includes angling tips for each sport fish species

* Features an expanded section on cooking freshwater fish

About the Author

Samuel M. McGinnis is Professor Emeritus of Biology at California State University, Hayward, where he taught ichthyology for 38 years.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION
Freshwater Habitats
Physical and Biological Environment
External Anatomy and Physiology
Internal Anatomy
Measurements and Defining Characteristics
Protective Status

ILLUSTRATED KEYS
Key to Families
Key to Species

SPECIES ACCOUNTS AND ANGLING NOTES
Lamprey (Petromyzontidae)
Pike (Escocidae)

COLLECTING AND OBSERVING LIVE FRESHWATER FISHES
Regulations and Methods
Aquariums and Ponds
Photography and Making Fish Prints
Fish Watching in the Wild

FRESHWATER FISH IN THE KITCHEN
How to Clean a Fish
Cooking Freshwater Fish

Checklist of Species and Subspecies
Abbreviations
Glossary
State Fish Hatcheries
Sport Fishing Weight Records
Selected References
Index

Reviews

“It's a serious book full of fish facts. . . . This one’s a keeper.”
— Sacramento Bee
“While maintaining the highest standards for imparting detailed information, he conveys the richness of California’s freshwater world in an artful, entertaining, and strikingly down-to-earth fashion. . . . If you love the freshwater environment, but this book. If you don’t yet love the freshwater environment, buy this book and you are sure to fall in love.”
— California Coast & Ocean
"A handy guide to the freshwater fishes of California designed for amateur naturalists and anglers. Alcorn's illustrations are excellent."—Peter Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California

"Freshwater Fishes of California contributes to the better understanding of the past and present history and biology of native and non-native freshwater fishes of California. It also provides practical information on how to sample, care for and/or utilize these fishes. Moreover, it reads like a good novel that piques your interest on fish natural history and identification. It should be of value to anglers, environmentalists concerned with protection of our aquatic habitats and resource, natural history buffs, and governmental biologists and administrators."—Theodore W. Wooster, Environmental Specialist, retired, California Department of Fish and Game