American Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
Also called mississippi paddlefish, paddlefish, spoonbill
A large, ancient freshwater fish with a distinctive paddle-shaped snout (rostrum) that can grow to enormous sizes. These primitive fish are filter feeders that primarily consume zooplankton and small organisms.
American Paddlefish at a glance
- Scientific name
- Polyodon spathula
- Typical size
- 40-60 inches, 30-60 lbs
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Legendary
Habitat
Found in large river systems and reservoirs throughout the Mississippi River basin. Anglers typically target them by snagging in deep pools and channels, as they don't bite traditional bait. Popular fishing areas include tailwaters below dams where they concentrate.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a american paddlefish through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksWhat to throw for american paddlefish
The lure classes that produce for american paddlefish, drawn from the same species map Cobia reasons about. Each one opens a full page on what it is, when it works and how to fish it.
Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the water in front of you today. That part is the app.
American Paddlefish questions people ask
American Paddlefish is Polyodon spathula. Anglers also call it mississippi paddlefish, paddlefish, spoonbill.
A typical american paddlefish runs 40-60 inches, 30-60 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every american paddlefish you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in large river systems and reservoirs throughout the Mississippi River basin. Anglers typically target them by snagging in deep pools and channels, as they don't bite traditional bait. Popular fishing areas include tailwaters below dams where they concentrate. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
Spoons and blade baits all produce. Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the season, the water temperature and the tide on the day, which is the part Cobia works out against the lures you already own.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.