Paddlefish
One of North America's most unusual native fish, named for its long, paddle-shaped snout, stocked in a small number of New York waters.
- Scientific name
- Polyodon spathula
- Family
- Polyodontidae
- Adult size
- Can exceed 5 feet and 60 pounds; among the largest freshwater fish in North America.
Identification
Smooth, scaleless, shark-like body with a long, flattened snout roughly a third of its total body length.
Habitat
Large, slow-moving rivers and connected lakes.
Diet
Zooplankton, filtered continuously through comb-like gill rakers as the fish swims with its mouth open — unlike most gamefish, it does not strike prey.
Angling
Because it filter-feeds rather than strikes bait, legal harvest is typically limited to snagging in specific, tightly regulated waters and seasons.
Conservation
Considered vulnerable across much of its historic range due to dams blocking spawning migrations.
Recommended Tackle & Gear for Paddlefish
Field-tested tackle, baits, and rigging strategies suited for catching Paddlefish.
Aluminum Fishing Pliers with Braid Cutters
Safely removes hooks, pinches split-shot sinkers, and cleanly snips braided, mono, and fluorocarbon lines.
Plano Waterproof Utility Tackle Box Tray (3600)
Keeps terminal tackle, weights, and spinners dry and corrosion-free with customizable compartments.
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Where Paddlefish is stocked
When Paddlefish is stocked
Top Paddlefish waters
Frequently asked
Where is Paddlefish stocked?
Paddlefish is stocked in 3 waters across 1 state: New York.
When is Paddlefish stocked?
Paddlefish is typically stocked in summer, most often in July, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Paddlefish are stocked?
About 6,209 Paddlefish have been stocked on record since 2011, across New York.
What size Paddlefish are stocked?
Stocked Paddlefish average about 10.5 inches, based on sizes reported by New York.
What does a Paddlefish look like?
Smooth, scaleless, shark-like body with a long, flattened snout roughly a third of its total body length.