FRESHWATER FISH TEMPERATURES CHART
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

© 2005, Big-Ray Publications  Inc.                               mailto:bignami@finefishing.com