fishable

[ fish-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. that may be fished in:

   nonpolluted, fishable streams.

2. lawful to be fished in:

   a lake that is fishable only with a permit.

Other Words From

• fisha·bili·ty noun
• un·fisha·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fishable¹

First recorded in 1605–15; fish + -able

Example Sentences

A lifelong resident of Southeast D.C., still a predominantly Black and less affluent part of the city, Holmes said he’s doubtful that in just a few years, the river in its entirety will be swimmable and fishable.

From Seattle Times

“None of the waterways in L.A. County are considered fishable or swimmable” due to pollution, he said, and tests show “toxicity in every drainage for some pollutant of concern.”

From Los Angeles Times

One environmental law made half of America’s fresh waters swimmable and fishable.

From New York Times

So as the northern Bering Sea continues to warm, there’s certainly the potential for snow crab to grow to fishable size in that region.

From Slate

With the goal of allowing rivers to become swimmable, fishable and drinkable once again, the legislation made it illegal to discharge pollutants into waterways without securing a permit.

From Scientific American