Fishes of the Chicago region: A field guide

The Chicago Region is known to most as the sprawling urban area of one of the largest cities in the USA. Many may be surprised that it is also a unique ecological area boasting recognition as being “Globally Significant.” Among this ecological diversity are the fishes of the Chicago Region. The three authors with diverse backgrounds of experience and knowledge of their own produced an excellent account of this taxonomic group in Fishes of the Chicago Region: A Field Guide, published in June 2025. For the purpose of this book, the authors define the Chicago Region as a 16,600-mi2 area that encompasses parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, including the southern tip of Lake Michigan. Following a foreword, written by Larry M. Page, and a preface, an introduction chapter defines the region, its history, and the various impacts imposed on the fishes and their habitats over time. As one might imagine, these impacts have been numerous and extensive in a region with more than 180 dams, channelization, recurring water quality issues from wastewater management and industrial pollution, and frequent introductions of invasive nonnative species, not to mention the reversal of the Chicago River, which is considered one of the largest engineering projects ever completed. The introduction also presents the various fish habitats that make this region unique, including Lake Michigan, glacial lakes, wetlands, streams, and rivers. Scenic photographs accompanying the habitat descriptions help place the reader in each of these settings. The theme of excellent photography continues throughout the book with exceptional images of each of the fishes, most of them taken by author Willink. An 18-page Pictorial Key to the Families is a broad overview of the fishes that introduces the reader to the 31 families and 164 species described in the following pages. As with any good field guide, the bulk of the book is dedicated to the species accounts. The species are preceded by family accounts that present informative details of global distribution, identifying characteristics, shared natural history traits, and ecology. The individual species are described in two-page accounts that include an image of the fish on black background, a Description of the species, natural history, distribution and status, references, and a distribution map for the region that includes the most recent collection records and historic records dating back to the 1800s. Here you will find information on preferred habitats, spawning periods, and common prey items of the most well-known game fishes, introduced species, and rare species you are likely to never encounter, including species that are no longer found in the region and are possibly extinct. The authors’ strong knowledgebase is apparent in the species accounts with the comprehensive ichthyological descriptions. Their perspectives on natural history traits, distribution and status of the species are infused with the authors’ firsthand observations over their impressive careers studying fishes throughout the region. And the distribution maps created from over 10,000 fish collections that include well over 100 years of data from a large number of sources are a monumental effort alone. Fishes of the Chicago Region is an excellent field guide written in a way that should appeal to a wide audience. The casual reader is guaranteed to learn something new and be impressed with the diversity and beauty of all the fishes known from this region. Anglers are sure to find useful information on their targeted game and nongame species. Scientists and natural resource managers can dive deep into all the information found throughout this book, utilizing it as a reference they can return to again and again. Fishes of the Chicago Region: A Field Guide is a worthy and valuable addition to your library.