Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
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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.

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.

It still gets five stars for content, good writing, amazingly extensive data, and imaginative inclusions, of which the one on keeping wild fish in home ponds and aquaria is the most surprising and the one on preparing and cooking the creatures is the most splendid.
Just to be done with it, the "almost" refers to some features of layout and form, which are irritating. They are not so bad as to make me want to throw it at a passing raccoon, but they do exercise some of my less formal vocabulary.
As a wildlife rehabilitator, I depend on field guides a lot, and good ones are not as common as we all wish. This one is a dandy, and I am truly glad for it and recommend it to anyone interested in western states fishes, not just those of California.
As a serious cook, I am downright thrilled with the culinary section, which is flatly the best fish cookbook I have ever seen since the immortal Rombauer's JOY OF COOKING, the only other book I know which deals with ALL the details of preparation.

Once again, Dr. McGinnis has done it! We own the first edition and now the newly revised edition. This is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to know more about the physiology of the fish species in California. The pictures and illustrations are a handy guide for identification. There is also a wonderful section on fish preparation with some great recipes. If you want to expand your Freshwater Fish knowledge, BUY THIS BOOK!

This book is an extensive compilation of every thinkable freshwater fish in the Golden State. Anyone who might be curious to know about California's numerous freshwater dwellers. Also, McGinnis' son, Ross, is a succesful music instructor at Los Gatos High School, California.

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