Field Guide to Stafford County Non Game Fish
Eastern Mud minnow
Umbra pygmaea
They grow to about 2 inches in length. Found in sluggish streams, rivers and ponds.  They are very rare in the Stafford County streams.
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
A large stout, high backed minnow with 2 pairs of barbels. They grow to about 28 inches in length. They will be found in the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and their tributaries.
Rosyside Dace
Clinostomus funduloides
They grow to about 3 inches in length. They are found in the swifter waters of the rivers and streams. Prefers gravel or sandy bottoms and clear water.
Mountain Redbelly Dace
Phoxinus oreas
They grow to about 2 inches in length. They can be found in the small creeks that drain into the Rappahannock River. Extremely Rare in Stafford County but common in southwest Virginia.
Longnose Dace
Rhinichthys cataractae
They grow to about 3 1/4 inches in length. They are found in the Rappahannock above the Falmouth bridge. Prefers swift waters and rock strewed bottoms.
Blacknose Dace
Rhinichthys atratulus
They grow to about 2 3/4 inches in length. They are found in the streams that drain into the rivers and larger creeks. Stay in pools near swifter water.
Fallfish
Semotilus corporalis
They grow to about 12 inches in length. They are found in clear, sandy to hard bottom creeks, streams and rivers throughout the county. They stay in deeper water at least 20 inches deep.
River Chub
Nocomis micropogon
They grow to about 7 inches in length. They are found in the Rappahannock above the Falmouth Bridge. Prefers moderate to swift clear water and gravel bottoms.
Bluehead Chub
Nocomis leptocephalus
They grow to about 6 1/4 inches in length. The Rappahannock/ Rapidan Rivers is the northern boundary for this chub. They prefer swifter water and gravel bottoms.
Creek Chub
Semoltilus atromaculatus
They grow to about 8 inches in length. They are found in the Rappahannock above the fall line. Prefers gravel bottoms.
Cutlips Minnow
Exglossum maxillingua
They grow to about 5 inches in length. They are found in the upper reaches of Aquia and Potomac Creeks.
Eastern Silvery Minnow
Hybognathus regius
They grow to about 3 1/2 inches in length. They are found at the lower side of the fall line in the Rappahannock River and the mouth of Potomac Creek.
Satinfin Shiner
Cyprinella analostana
They grow to about 2 3/4 inches. They are found in most medium to large streams. Satinfins prefer slower waters and soft to hard bottoms.
Common Shiner
Luxilus cornutus
The Common Shiner is found throughout the area and grow to about 4 inches.  They prefer slower water in the cooler temperatures and swifter in the warmer temperatures.
Golden Shiner
Notemigonnus crysoleucas
They grow to 8 inches and prefer warmer waters. They are found in slow moving streams, rivers, and swamp areas. They usually stay in the upper part of the water.
Rosyface Shiner
Notropis rubellus
They grow to about 3 inches in length. They are found in warm clear streams and rivers with medium to swift currents.  Check out the Rappahannock above the Falmouth Bridge.
Comely Shiner
Notropis amoenus
These shiners are found in the same areas as the Rosyface Shiner and grow to about 3 inches.
Spottail Shiner
Notropis hudsonius
They grow to about 3 1/2 inches. They are found throughout the Rappahannock and the shores of the Potomac Rivers.
Swallowtail Shiner
Notropis procne
They grow to just over 2 inches in length. They are found in the shallows and slower moving areas over silt bottoms.
Creek Chubsucker
Erimyzon oblongus
They grow to about 10 inches. They are found in ditches, creeks to rivers, ponds, and lakes. They prefer soft to firm bottoms.
Northern Hogsucker
Hypentelium nigricans
They grow to 12 inches. They are found in clean cool and warm, large creeks and small rivers. They prefer gravel bottoms and moderate currents.
Shorthead Redhorse
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
They grow to about 14 inches. They are found moderate large rivers and streams. They prefer deeper pools with silt or sand bottoms.
White Sucker
Catostomus commersoni
This is the most common sucker in the area and is found in the Rappahannock above the city dock. They are also the largest at about 16 inches in length.
Margined Madtom
Noturus insignis
They are found in the moderate flow areas of large creeks and rivers with hard bottoms avoiding swampy areas.
Eastern Mosquitofish
Gambusia holbrooki
 This is a live bearer which occupies the still water areas of small streams and rivers. They prefer silt or mud bottoms. They grow to about 1 1/2 inches. The female is larger and fuller.
Mottled Sculpin
Cottus bairdi
They grow to about 3 inches. They are found in cool, clear, moderate to fast moving creeks, streams, and small rivers with stony bottoms. 
Stripeback Darter
Percina notogramma
This darter grows to about 2 1/2 inches. They are found in moderate flowing clear streams and rivers. 
Shield Darter
Percina peltata
They are found in slow to moderate streams with gravel bottoms. They grow to 2 3/4 inches. 
Tessellated Darter
Etheostoma olmstedi
This small darter grows to about 1- 3/4 inches. They occupy creeks, streams, pools throughout the area. This is the most common darter.
American Eel
Anguilla rostrata
They are olive green with yellowish belly. They grow up to 36 inches. They are found in creeks and rivers. The American Eel is nocturnal, seeking cover or burrowing in the mud, sand, loose gravel or silt bottoms. Young eels can be found in small streams under rocks.