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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web 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 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 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rough fish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.