Optimum Temperatures for Fish

Freshwater Fish Optimum Temperatures

Water temperature plays an important part in the life cycle of fishes. 

As the water heats or cools with the seasons, fish behave differently and can be found in different places. Also, there are regional differences and acclimatization differences in the temperature ranges for various fish species.
However, each fish has a preferred temperature which suits it best.
With that, here is a general guideline to the optimum temperatures for most common fishes sought by anglers.

Species	Optimum
American Shad	66
Atlantic Salmon	62
Atlantic Sturgeon	66
Black Crappie	70
Bluegills	70
Brook Trout	58
Brown Bullhead	74
Brown Trout	56-66
Burbot	52
Carp	84
Pickerel	66
Channel Catfish	82-89
Chinook Salmon	54
Chum Salmon	57
Coho Salmon	54
Flathead Catfish	85
Freshwater Drum	74
Grass Pickerel	78
Green Sunfish	87
Kamloops Trout	47-55
Kokanee	52-55
Lake Trout	50-57
Landlocked Atlantic Salmon	50-58
Largemouth Bass	65-75
Longnose Gar	92
Muskellunge	63
Northern Pike	63
Pink Salmon	50
Pumpkinseed	81
Rainbow Trout	61
Rock Bass	70
Shortnose Gar	87
Smallmouth Bass	65-68
Sockeye Salmon	55
Spotted Bass	75
Steelhead Trout	48-52
Sunfish	58
Walleye	67
White Bass	70
White Crappie	61
White Perch	89
Yellow Bass	81
Yellow Perch	68