Fish species

Due to the abundance of different habitats, the Smith River is home to a wide variety of fish species. Listed below are species you may discover in the Smith.

Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

Brown trout are endemic to western Europe. In the Smith, brown trout reproduce naturally and are highly sought after by anglers. These fish may be identified by their yellowish-brown color, a squared-off caudal fin, an adipose fin and dark spots encircled by lighter colored halos.

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout do not reproduce in the Smith River. The VDGIF stock Rainbows below Philpott Dam from May to October. Characteristics of rainbow trout include a silvery color with an iridescent stripe on either side of the body. These fish also have an adipose fin and numerous black spots.

Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalis)

Bluehead chubs are medium-sized minnows that range from 2-4 inches in size during the adult stage of life. Breeding males develop a bluish color on their heads, giving rise to their name. Bluehead chubs construct distinctive gravel-mound nests generally during May and early June.

Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)

The Roanoke logperch is an endangered species whose original ancestors dispersed into the Roanoke drainage from the Ohio basin. The Roanoke logperch feeds primarily in the benthos upon immature insects. Adults may be anywhere from 3-6 inches in size.

Additional Species of the Smith River

FAMILY CENTRARCHIDAE (Bass & Sunfish)

FAMILY CYPRINIDAE (Minnows)

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)
Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus)
Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomeiu)

Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum)
Mountain Redbelly (Dace Phoxinus oreas)
Cutlips Minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua)
Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalus)
Rosyside Dace (Clinostomus funduloides)
Crescent Shiner (Luxilus cerasinus)
Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)
Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius)
Whitetail Shiner (Cyprinella galactura)

FAMILY PERCIDAE (Darters & Perches)

Fantail Darter (Etheostoma flabellare)
Roanoke Darter (Percina roanoka)
Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)
Riverweed Darter (Etheostoma podostemone)

FAMILY CATASTOMIDAE (Suckers)

White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni)
Golden Redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum)
Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans)
Black Jumprock (Moxostoma cervinum)

Learn more about these species! EFish

FAMILY ICTALURIDAE (Catfish)

Margined Madtom (Noturus insignis)

Pictures courtesy of: Jenkins & Burkhead, 1993

Some information adapted from Jenkins & Burkhead, 1993


Due to the abundance of different habitats, the Smith River is home to a wide variety of fish species. Listed below are species you may discover in the Smith.
		Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
		Brown trout are endemic to western Europe. In the Smith, brown trout reproduce naturally and are highly sought after by anglers. These fish may be identified by their yellowish-brown color, a squared-off caudal fin, an adipose fin and dark spots encircled by lighter colored halos.
		Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
		Rainbow trout do not reproduce in the Smith River. The VDGIF stock Rainbows below Philpott Dam from May to October. Characteristics of rainbow trout include a silvery color with an iridescent stripe on either side of the body. These fish also have an adipose fin and numerous black spots.
		Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalis)
		Bluehead chubs are medium-sized minnows that range from 2-4 inches in size during the adult stage of life. Breeding males develop a bluish color on their heads, giving rise to their name. Bluehead chubs construct distinctive gravel-mound nests generally during May and early June.
		Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)
		The Roanoke logperch is an endangered species whose original ancestors dispersed into the Roanoke drainage from the Ohio basin. The Roanoke logperch feeds primarily in the benthos upon immature insects. Adults may be anywhere from 3-6 inches in size.


Additional Species of the Smith River
FAMILY CENTRARCHIDAE (Bass & Sunfish)	FAMILY CYPRINIDAE (Minnows)
Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomeiu)	Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) Mountain Redbelly (Dace Phoxinus oreas) Cutlips Minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua) Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) Rosyside Dace (Clinostomus funduloides) Crescent Shiner (Luxilus cerasinus) Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius) Whitetail Shiner (Cyprinella galactura)
FAMILY PERCIDAE (Darters & Perches)

Fantail Darter (Etheostoma flabellare) Roanoke Darter (Percina roanoka) Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) Riverweed Darter (Etheostoma podostemone)
	FAMILY CATASTOMIDAE (Suckers)
	White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Golden Redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) Black Jumprock (Moxostoma cervinum) Learn more about these species! EFish
FAMILY ICTALURIDAE (Catfish)
Margined Madtom (Noturus insignis)

Pictures courtesy of: Jenkins & Burkhead, 1993
Some information adapted from Jenkins & Burkhead, 1993