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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
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rough fish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined above
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 5 Nov. 2024.
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