Freshwater fish are a diverse group of bony fish and are classified as living in freshwater areas like ponds, lakes, and rivers that have a salinity level of less than 1.05%. Although not as prevalent or colorful as saltwater fish, freshwater fish still make up nearly 41% of all fish with nearly 15,000 different species. Freshwater fish can survive in a wide variety of habitats depending on the species from the warm, flooding rivers of the Amazon rainforest to the frozen lakes of Northern Canada and are spread all across the globe.

Common cold freshwater fish species include the popular trout family of fish such as rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout. You can dive with these fish in the lakes and rivers of North America. Cool freshwater fish species include carp, pike, perch, eels, and bass, all found throughout the Americas and Europe. Warm freshwater fish species include bass, bluegill, catfish, goby’s, and crappies and are found across the globe. No matter where you scuba dive, lake, river, or quarry, you are sure to come across these popular freshwater fish species. Check out the map below to explore where to dive with some of the more popular specific freshwater fish around the world.