Matthew L. Miller
@matthewlmiller.bsky.social
Author, Fishing Through the Apocalypse. Editor, TNC’s Cool Green Science.
I love fishing of all kinds, natural history, outdoor pursuits, public lands and good books.
I love fishing of all kinds, natural history, outdoor pursuits, public lands and good books.
Pinned
Just starting here. I’m a long-time writer for The Nature Conservancy. I have a passion for fishing of all kinds, wildlife, outdoor pursuits, good books and conservation communications.
Scrape & rub.
A walk in the whitetail woods.
A walk in the whitetail woods.
January 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Scrape & rub.
A walk in the whitetail woods.
A walk in the whitetail woods.
Winter-white animals on a brown background, an increasing occurrence.
Animals That Turn White in Winter Face a Climate Challenge
Hares, ptarmigans and Arctic foxes all turn white in winter, but as our planet warms, that adaptation may also need to, well, adapt again.
blog.nature.org
January 5, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Winter-white animals on a brown background, an increasing occurrence.
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
From the Florida Keys to Alaska, our avid angler contributor shares his favorite fishing spots in the U.S. that offer extra adventure potential bit.ly/4j1iMUH
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM
From the Florida Keys to Alaska, our avid angler contributor shares his favorite fishing spots in the U.S. that offer extra adventure potential bit.ly/4j1iMUH
Common goldeneye.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
January 1, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Common goldeneye.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
Impressive specimen of an American lobster.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
January 1, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Impressive specimen of an American lobster.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
A walk along a northeast Iowa creek on the last day of the year. Trout were caught.
January 1, 2026 at 12:08 AM
A walk along a northeast Iowa creek on the last day of the year. Trout were caught.
One final outing and the last fish of 2025.
December 31, 2025 at 9:02 PM
One final outing and the last fish of 2025.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
December 31, 2025 at 3:48 AM
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
Gar time.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
December 31, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Gar time.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, IA.
I never pass up a beer with a fish on it.
Conservation Cream Ale by Dimensional Brewing in Dubuque, IA.
Conservation Cream Ale by Dimensional Brewing in Dubuque, IA.
December 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I never pass up a beer with a fish on it.
Conservation Cream Ale by Dimensional Brewing in Dubuque, IA.
Conservation Cream Ale by Dimensional Brewing in Dubuque, IA.
Seahorse.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
December 30, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Seahorse.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
Brook trout.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
December 30, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Brook trout.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
Shovelnose sturgeon.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
December 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Shovelnose sturgeon.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque, Iowa.
Fly fishing prospects for tomorrow: not great.
December 29, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Fly fishing prospects for tomorrow: not great.
Rainy, cold, fishless Iowa outing, but good to get in one more morning with the fly rod in 2025.
December 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Rainy, cold, fishless Iowa outing, but good to get in one more morning with the fly rod in 2025.
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
That's a wrap on 2025's #25DaysofFishmas - the 10th year of #Fishmas silliness! Thanks to everyone who has followed along as we explored some of the amazing fish that call the US home.
From Atlantic to Pacific, there's a lot worth protecting - wishing everyone peace and renewal of hope for 2026.
From Atlantic to Pacific, there's a lot worth protecting - wishing everyone peace and renewal of hope for 2026.
December 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
That's a wrap on 2025's #25DaysofFishmas - the 10th year of #Fishmas silliness! Thanks to everyone who has followed along as we explored some of the amazing fish that call the US home.
From Atlantic to Pacific, there's a lot worth protecting - wishing everyone peace and renewal of hope for 2026.
From Atlantic to Pacific, there's a lot worth protecting - wishing everyone peace and renewal of hope for 2026.
Thanks for all the informative & fun #Fishmas facts, @drkatfish.bsky.social. Science storytelling at its finest.
Here’s to a new year exploring creeks, lakes & rivers and working to conserve the diversity of freshwater fishes.
#25DaysofFishmas
Here’s to a new year exploring creeks, lakes & rivers and working to conserve the diversity of freshwater fishes.
#25DaysofFishmas
December 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Thanks for all the informative & fun #Fishmas facts, @drkatfish.bsky.social. Science storytelling at its finest.
Here’s to a new year exploring creeks, lakes & rivers and working to conserve the diversity of freshwater fishes.
#25DaysofFishmas
Here’s to a new year exploring creeks, lakes & rivers and working to conserve the diversity of freshwater fishes.
#25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
One of the East Coast’s largest fish, Atlantic sturgeon are slow-growing. They can grow up to 14 ft/4.3 m long, weigh up to 800 lbs/363 kg and live up to 60 years! Depending on where they live (north vs. south), female sturgeon may not mature until they’re 22-34 years old #25DaysofFishmas
December 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
One of the East Coast’s largest fish, Atlantic sturgeon are slow-growing. They can grow up to 14 ft/4.3 m long, weigh up to 800 lbs/363 kg and live up to 60 years! Depending on where they live (north vs. south), female sturgeon may not mature until they’re 22-34 years old #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
Atlantic sturgeon are migratory, spawning + spending the first few years of life in large rivers from Canada to Florida before moving to coastal waters as adults. All US Atlantic sturgeon populations are currently listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act #25DaysofFishmas
December 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Atlantic sturgeon are migratory, spawning + spending the first few years of life in large rivers from Canada to Florida before moving to coastal waters as adults. All US Atlantic sturgeon populations are currently listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
Atlantic sturgeon is one of ~27 species in the sturgeon family Acipenseridae, a group whose looks haven’t changed much since the Cretaceous. They have bony plates (scutes) instead of scales, barbels by their mouths + heterocercal tails (one side larger than the other - like sharks) #25DaysofFishmas
December 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Atlantic sturgeon is one of ~27 species in the sturgeon family Acipenseridae, a group whose looks haven’t changed much since the Cretaceous. They have bony plates (scutes) instead of scales, barbels by their mouths + heterocercal tails (one side larger than the other - like sharks) #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
American shad have been called “America’s Founding Fish” because they were once one of the East Coast’s most abundant and economically important species, feeding native peoples, early colonists, and even George Washington. Their species name sapidissima even means “most delicious”! #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
American shad have been called “America’s Founding Fish” because they were once one of the East Coast’s most abundant and economically important species, feeding native peoples, early colonists, and even George Washington. Their species name sapidissima even means “most delicious”! #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
American shad is a migratory fish who spawns in coastal rivers along the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Florida. Shad were also introduced to the West Coast in the 1800s + rapidly expanded - in the Columbia River, it's now the predominant migratory species, outnumbering salmon #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
American shad is a migratory fish who spawns in coastal rivers along the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Florida. Shad were also introduced to the West Coast in the 1800s + rapidly expanded - in the Columbia River, it's now the predominant migratory species, outnumbering salmon #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
American shad is the largest member of the genus Alosa (river herrings), bigger than other members common along the East Coast (alewife, hickory shad, blueback herring). American shad from the southern part of their range (like FL) are generally smaller than those from the north #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
American shad is the largest member of the genus Alosa (river herrings), bigger than other members common along the East Coast (alewife, hickory shad, blueback herring). American shad from the southern part of their range (like FL) are generally smaller than those from the north #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Matthew L. Miller
Ghost shiners are part of the shiner, dace, and minnow family Leuciscidae, a group of 600+ species. While many - but not all! - of the species in this group are small, the ghost shiner is definitely one of the smaller ones found in North America, typically growing <2 in/4.5 cm long #25DaysofFishmas
December 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Ghost shiners are part of the shiner, dace, and minnow family Leuciscidae, a group of 600+ species. While many - but not all! - of the species in this group are small, the ghost shiner is definitely one of the smaller ones found in North America, typically growing <2 in/4.5 cm long #25DaysofFishmas
Up close with lampreys at the Bonneville Dam’s fish viewing window.
Columbia River, Oregon.
#25DaysofFishmas
Columbia River, Oregon.
#25DaysofFishmas
December 22, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Up close with lampreys at the Bonneville Dam’s fish viewing window.
Columbia River, Oregon.
#25DaysofFishmas
Columbia River, Oregon.
#25DaysofFishmas