Pennsylvania has approximately 100
different species (types) of
fish. Pennsylvania's state fish is the brook trout and can be found in cold, mountainous streams throughout the state. Pennsylvania’s fish are found in different
ecosystems like streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and swamps. Each ecosystem is slightly different and
usually contains some different types of fish.
Some common Pennsylvania
fish include: bass, walleye, perch, catfish, musky, trout, creek chubs, suckers, sunfish, pike, and pickerel.
All fih in Pennsylvania are classified as freshwater fish because all of our aquatic environments contain freshwater. There are no saltwater environments in Pennsylvania. All fish are classified as ectotherms. An ectotherm is a “cold blooded” animal that, cannot keep its internal body temperature constant. The body temperature of an ectotherm changes with the temperature of its environment. Most ectotherms have to hibernate in the winter months or become very inactive to survive. Our state contains approximately 83,000 miles of streams and rivers, over 4,000 lakes and ponds and control of 470,000 acres of Lake Erie. These aquatic environments are home to many different fish, amphibians and reptiles living here in Pennsylvania. So who is in charge of all the fish, amphibians and reptiles in Pennsylvania? The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is the government agency that is in charge of all the fish, reptiles and amphibians in our state. |
PA Ecology 4th period Room 204 Mr. Solderich [email protected] last revised 8/3/15