Ep 6. Monster Fish of America

In the sixth episode of the first season of Monster Fish, titled "Monster Fish of America," biologist and fisherman Zeb Hogan travels across the United States in search of some of the largest and most elusive freshwater fish in the country.

Throughout the episode, Hogan visits a variety of different bodies of water, from rivers and lakes to swamps and reservoirs, each with its unique ecosystem and set of challenges. He also meets with local fishermen, scientists, and conservationists to learn more about the fish that inhabit each environment and the efforts being made to protect them.

The first stop on Hogan's journey is in Louisiana, where he sets out to find the alligator gar, a massive predatory fish that can grow up to ten feet long and weigh over 300 pounds. Despite its intimidating appearance, the alligator gar is a critical part of the local ecosystem, and Hogan wants to learn more about how it fits into the food chain.

Next, Hogan heads to Tennessee to look for the musky, a highly sought-after game fish that can weigh up to 50 pounds. Hogan's search takes him to the headwaters of the Clinch River, where he encounters several other species of fish, including the Clinch dace and the blackside dace, both of which are endangered.

In Colorado, Hogan goes in search of the Colorado pikeminnow, a large and rare fish that can grow up to six feet long. The Colorado pikeminnow is now extinct in much of its historical range, and Hogan works with local conservationists to learn more about the efforts being made to reintroduce the species back into its native waters.

Next, Hogan travels to the Great Lakes to look for the lake sturgeon, a prehistoric fish that can weigh over 200 pounds and live for more than 100 years. Hogan's journey takes him to Michigan, where he visits a fish hatchery and learns about the process of raising and releasing young lake sturgeon back into the wild.

The final stop on Hogan's journey is in Arkansas, where he looks for the alligator snapping turtle, one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. The alligator snapping turtle can weigh more than 200 pounds and has a powerful jaw that can easily break through bones. Hogan works with local conservationists to learn more about the habitat needs of the alligator snapping turtle and the efforts being made to protect it from habitat loss and over-harvesting.

Throughout his journey, Hogan encounters a wide variety of fascinating fish and other aquatic creatures, each with its unique set of challenges and conservation needs. "Monster Fish of America" is an exciting and informative look at some of the largest and most important freshwater species in the United States.