Which freshwater fish is New York State’s official state fish?

New York State’s official state fish is the brook trout.

The brook trout is a char in the salmon family, not a true trout in the strict taxonomic sense. Its scientific name is Salvelinus fontinalis, and it is native to cold, clear streams and lakes across eastern North America. Its dark, worm-like markings and vivid red spots distinguish it from many related salmonids.

Brook trout need highly oxygenated water and are especially sensitive to warm temperatures, silt, pollution, and habitat fragmentation. They can also face competition from introduced brown trout and rainbow trout.

New York adopted the brook trout as its state fish in 1975. Anglers often call it a “brookie,” while in parts of Canada it is also known as speckled trout. Despite that nickname, it is biologically a char.