Freshwater Fish Temperature Charts
by Louis Bignami
There are regional differences and acclimatization differences in the temperature ranges for fish species. This is a general guideline for most areas and most times of the year.
| Species | Lower Avoidance | Optimum | Upper Avoidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Shad | 60 | 66 | 85 |
| Atlantic Salmon | 45 | 62 | na |
| Atlantic Sturgeon | 56 | 66 | 70 |
| Black Crappie | 60 | 70 | 75 |
| Bluegills | 58 | 70 | 75 |
| Brook Trout | 44 | 58 | 70 |
| Brown Bullhead | 65 | 74 | 85 |
| Brown Trout | 44 | 56-66 | 75 |
| Burbot | 52 | ||
| Carp | 75 | 84 | 88 |
| Pickerel | 60 | 66 | 74 |
| Channel Catfish | 55 | 82-89 | 90+ |
| Chinook Salmon | 44 | 54 | 60 |
| Chum Salmon | 57 | ||
| Coho Salmon | 44 | 54 | 60 |
| Flathead Catfish | 81 | 85 | 90 |
| Freshwater Drum | 74 | ||
| Grass Pickerel | 78 | ||
| Grayling | 65 | ||
| Green Sunfish | 73 | 87 | 91 |
| Kamloops Trout | 46 | 47-55 | 60 |
| Kokanee | 52-55 | ||
| Lake Trout | 42 | 50-57 | 60 |
| Landlocked Atlantic Salmon | 42 | 50-58 | 65 |
| Largemouth Bass | 50 | 65-75 | 85 |
| Longnose Gar | 92 | ||
| Muskellunge | 55 | 63 | 72 |
| Northern Pike | 56 | 63 | 74 |
| Pink Salmon | 50 | ||
| Pumkinseed | 81 | ||
| Rainbow Trout | 44 | 61 | 75 |
| Rock Bass | 70 | ||
| Shortnose Gar | 81 | 87 | 94 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 60 | 65-68 | 73 |
| Sockeye Salmon | 55 | ||
| Spotted Bass | 71 | 75 | 80 |
| Steelhead Trout | 38 | 48-52 | 60 |
| Sunfish | 50 | 58 | 68 |
| Tench | 80 | ||
| Walleye | 50 | 67 | 76 |
| White Bass | 62 | 70 | 78 |
| White Crappie | 61 | ||
| White Perch | 89 | ||
| Yellow Bass | 81 | ||
| Yellow Perch | 58 | 68 | 75 |