Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California: Revised Edition (California Natural History Guides) [Paperback]

Samuel M. McGinnis (Author), Doris Alcorn (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0520237277 | ISBN-13: 978-0520237278 | Edition: 1

This popular book is the only field guide to all of California's 130 freshwater fish species, both native and introduced. Revised and updated throughout, the guide now features the only complete collection of color illustrations of California freshwater fishes available anywhere. These color illustrations, coupled with a set of highly detailed black-and-white drawings, provide a quick and easy method for identifying fish in the field. Detailed natural history accounts for each species give a wealth of information, including the current endangered or threatened status of many native species.
* Includes angling tips for each sport fish species
* Features an expanded section on cooking freshwater fish

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A handy guide to the freshwater fishes of California designed for amateur naturalists and anglers. Alcom's illustrations are excellent." - Peter Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California"

From the Inside Flap

"A handy guide to the freshwater fishes of California designed for amateur naturalists and anglers. Alcorn's illustrations are excellent."--Peter Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California

"Freshwater Fishes of California contributes to the better understanding of the past and present history and biology of native and non-native freshwater fishes of California. It also provides practical information on how to sample, care for and/or utilize these fishes. Moreover, it reads like a good novel that piques your interest on fish natural history and identification. It should be of value to anglers, environmentalists concerned with protection of our aquatic habitats and resource, natural history buffs, and governmental biologists and administrators."--Theodore W. Wooster, Environmental Specialist, retired, California Department of Fish and Game

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (September 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520237277
• ISBN-13: 978-0520237278
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #834,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CA Dept. of Fish & Shame, December 15, 2006

By 

MopedLad (los angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California: Revised Edition (California Natural History Guides) (Paperback)

This superb, comprehensive field guide covers not just the extant freshwater fish of California, but details how to catch them, how to cook them, and even how to keep them in the aquarium or pond at home. Superb photographs, and detailed descriptions of each species.

It is truly a travesty though that many of the alien fish in the state that have caused such devastation to native species have been deliberately introduced by the governmental agency responsible for the stewardship of California's freshwater ecosystems. Reading of the California Department of Fish & Game's persistent and ongoing mismanagement is alarming, and a clear indication that the citizens of the state deserve that the bunglers in charge of that office be bought to task and replaced by competent people. CDFG operate in large part to secure the interests of the sports fishing industry rather than working for the citizens of the state and the environment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice and complete, May 2, 2008

By 

Luciana Ramirez - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California: Revised Edition (California Natural History Guides) (Paperback)

Very nice guide and a good deal compare with others fish publications. This book also brings interesting aspects on fish ecology. I didn't like the last part about cooking the fish, but I guess many people may find that cool.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good fisheries book., March 10, 2009

By 

Silverstreak (Sacramento, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Freshwater Fishes of California (California Natural History Guides) (Hardcover)

Must have for the wildlife biologist. Use it whenever we have fisheries related tasks in Caliofornia. Must have book.