Rare Fish Conservation

There are 10 species of fish listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. These species range from the coldwater Longnose Sucker found in flowing waters of western Massachusetts, to the prehistoric-looking Shortnose Sturgeon found in the larger Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers, to the American Brook Lamprey found in select watersheds of southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard.

Photo by Konrad Schmidt

Freshwater fishes are vulnerable to sedimentation, changes in water temperatures, excess pollutants, extreme water level changes, and barriers to movement, such as dams or poorly designed stream crossings. For more information about these species, read the fact sheets that can be accessed through the MESA List.

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston MA 01583
Tel: (508) 389-6300; Fax: (508) 389-7890