A guide and reference for the angler, scientist, and amateur naturalist alike, this comprehensive volume profiles each of the 144 fish species inhabiting the waterways of Kansas as well as 27 others that might make their way to the state from nearby river basins.

"More than 50 authors contributed species accounts"--Acknowledgments. Dedicated to Frank B. Cross to honor his legacy to the people and natural resources of Kansas. (Foreword, preface, "In memoriam")

In memoriam : Frank Bernard Cross, 1925-2001 -- Introduction -- Fish anatomy and physiology -- Kansas streams and native species conservation -- History of ichthyology in Kansas -- Explanation of keys and species accounts -- Dichotomous keys to families, genera, and species -- Petromyzontidae, lampreys -- Acipenseridae, sturgeons -- Polyodontidae, paddlefishes -- Lepisosteidae, gars -- Amiidae, bowfins -- Hiodontidae, mooneyes -- Auguillidae, freshwater eels -- Clupeidae, herrings -- Cyprinidae, carps and minnows -- Catostomidae, suckers -- Ictaluridae, North American catfishes -- Osmeridae, smelts -- Salmonidae, trouts and salmons -- Esocidae, pikes and mudminnows -- Gadidae, cods -- Atherinopsidae, new world silversides -- Fundulidae, topminnows -- Cyprinodontidae, pupfishes -- Poeciliidae, livebearers -- Cottidae, sculpins -- Moronidae, temperate basses -- Centrarchidae, sunfishes -- Percidae, perches and darters -- Sciaenidae, drums and croakers -- Nearby species not native to Kansas.