Toughest freshwater fish in USA?

[jakebird]

I've been reading alot of polls and threads on this topic. What, in your opinion is the strongest fighting, freshwater fish in the country? Quite a diversity of opinions out there. I'm torn between a few. For brute strength of pull, I vote flathead catfish. For tackle busting, drag screaming runs, I vote hybrids and stripers. For drag burning and acrobatics, I say steelhead. I haven't fished for salmon but quite a few folks vote for them, too. Also quite a few fans of the bluegill and the smallmouth bass, on a pound for pound basis. Let's hear your votes, no right or wrong opinions!

[wisconsinteacher]

Open water pound for pound the small mouth wins.  Ice fishing, the bluegill wins pound for pound.  These are the two I pick but they are all fun to catch and fight. 

[Skeeterbait]

meanest fish in the river is a bowfin... also the biggest dissapointment when you get it to the boat.

[vaturkey]

This big boy had my arm aching. 20 min fight on ultralite tackle & 6 lb. test.


  33lb. 12oz. Carp  46" Long


My neighbor said he sure was good eatin !   

[jakebird]

Wow, quite a carp! I imagine that was a fight of epic proportions on an ulttralight! Forgot to mention the carp, but they have got to belong on the short list, for sure.

[Deputy 14]

Pound for pound a smallmouth. If they grew any bigger it would be dangerous to swim. 

[Sully53]

The hardest fish to land, but the most fun to hook-up would have to be King or Coho Salmon, we fish for them every fall on the Salmon River in up-state New York.

[longbeard11]

MUSKY!!! without a doubt.

[I-55Bandit]

Smallmouth Bass  Try em in shallow creek water 

[Crappiepro]

I say smallmouth too! I've fished the creeks around my county here in Indiana and they go crazy in the swallows of creek on ultralite rigs LOL.

[wildturkey6]

Bring yer ultra light tackle to South Florida and try one of these Peacock Bass they will tear yer tackle up.

[stone road turkey calls]

bluegill, if they grew to 10 pounds they would pull you in and eat you.

[catdaddy]

bluegill, if they grew to 10 pounds they would pull you in and eat you.

I agree!! If they were as big as a bass--you never would reel um in.

[bird]

Pound for pound the toughest, meanest, nastiest fresh water fish has to be a dogfish!

[Timberland Taxidermy]

I've caught nearly every fish mentioned here and for me the toughest wasn't listed. I would have to vote for the wiper. (Hybrid striped bass) Even using heavy line they will just about de-spool you if you hook a good one.