rough fish
noun
: a usually freshwater fish (such as a buffalo or freshwater drum) considered undesirable as a food or sport fish and often viewed as a competitor of more desirable fishes
Examples of rough fish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anglers can earn catch-and-release records for 18 species beyond the four current species that are recognized, a change the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is making in response to the increasing popularity of catch-and-release fishing and to raise the profile of native rough fish.
—
Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
They’re classed as rough fish by many anglers, especially in Montana where trout reign supreme with most fishermen.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2024
Usually that fish is a catfish, though turtles and rough fish like carp may also be caught by hand in some states.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 15 Nov. 2023
Just last year, DNR championed a bill at the Legislature that elevated eelpout (burbot) from unprotected rough fish to game fish.
—Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, 1 Apr. 2021
Texas studies have shown that eagles commonly eat coots, catfish, rough fish and soft-shell turtles.
—Matt Williams, Dallas News, 6 Jan. 2023
Nicknamed in various parts of North America as ling, lawyer, cusk or mud shark — the once-lowly burbot is being elevated in Minnesota from unprotected rough fish to game fish.
—Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, 14 Jan. 2021
Beka Garris, a diehard bowfisher from Ohio, recommends referencing your state’s freshwater lists to quickly determine which bodies of water hold carp and other rough fish.
—Popular Science, 3 Nov. 2020
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Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
They’re classed as rough fish by many anglers, especially in Montana where trout reign supreme with most fishermen.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2024
Usually that fish is a catfish, though turtles and rough fish like carp may also be caught by hand in some states.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 15 Nov. 2023
Just last year, DNR championed a bill at the Legislature that elevated eelpout (burbot) from unprotected rough fish to game fish.
—Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, 1 Apr. 2021
Texas studies have shown that eagles commonly eat coots, catfish, rough fish and soft-shell turtles.
—Matt Williams, Dallas News, 6 Jan. 2023
Nicknamed in various parts of North America as ling, lawyer, cusk or mud shark — the once-lowly burbot is being elevated in Minnesota from unprotected rough fish to game fish.
—Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, 14 Jan. 2021
Beka Garris, a diehard bowfisher from Ohio, recommends referencing your state’s freshwater lists to quickly determine which bodies of water hold carp and other rough fish.
—Popular Science, 3 Nov. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Rough fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rough%20fish. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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