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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rough fish was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near rough fish

Cite this Entry

“Rough fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rough%20fish. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!