Polyodon spathula

How to identify a American Paddlefish

American Paddlefish are found in cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands

Where to catch American Paddlefish

• Mississippi River (IA/MO)
• Missouri River reservoirs (SD/MT)
• Ohio River — all species we list for this fishery

American Paddlefish by state

State season calendars that list American Paddlefish — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Arkansas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Indiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Iowa — seasons, best months and licence info
• Kansas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Kentucky — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
• Missouri — seasons, best months and licence info
• Montana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Nebraska — seasons, best months and licence info

Plus 7 more — all 50 state calendars.

Baits and lures

Species-dependent · insects · worms · small fish · crustaceans · flies · or artificial lures where legal

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with American Paddlefish:

• American Pickerel — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• American Shad (inland runs) — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• American Smelt — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Arapaima — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Arctic Char — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Arctic Grayling — identification & profile (Freshwater)