Question about keeping wild freshwater fish in the home aquarium?
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Ok, the details:
#1 – Yes, I searched past yahoo answers and didn’t find the information I was seeking.
#2 – Yes, I realize there are local, state, and federal laws that apply, but I would like to put those aside for the purposes of this question.
#3 – I’m not here to debate what is meant by wild fish. I think I’m making it pretty obvious I mean average north american lake-type fish that won’t outgrow the home aquarium. Something that you might see in a museum or bass pro shop type setup, but that doesn’t necessary require the waterfall and thousands of gallons they have there.
So… What are some options for “wild” type fish I could keep in the home aquarium? I have ruled out most stream fish (trout, etc.) because I don’t think the home aquarium would provide the type of current they need. I have ruled out the large fish I like (longnose gar, etc.) because they would probably grow too large for the size aquarium I could purchase. But, I do want something that is at least a few inches in length… not just tiny minnows and etc., although that might be fun, too! 
So… for an aquarium maybe 55, 75, 125 gallons, what types would be suitable? I’ve thought of brim, but that’s all I can really come up with… I know you all must have some good ideas for me?!
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Brim aren’t a bad idea, also, small catfish, and crayfish would be cool too
You could try sticklebacks or European orfs, but many wild-caught fish often refuse food and will starve to death.
Rainbow trout and channel catfish might be another option.
I think the long eared sunfish I have locally here in Missouri could rival many beautiful saltwater fish. They don’t even have to be in breeding season for their blue and orange colors to stand out. Also there are Rock bass that don’t grow much over 10 inches. Northern chubs(endangered species) are so much more attractive than their dull chub cousins. Since large mouth bass attain such big proportions you might consider Small mouth or Kentucky(spotted)bass. Yellow bass, White and Black Crappie grow to 14, 15 inches. Bull head catfish do not grow to the size of channels or flat head catfish and none of these require the colder temperatures of Trout. In the streams I find little catfish and darters when collecting crawdads. Some of our crawdads get to the length of small lobsters. I’ve caught many in the 9 to 10 inch size, that’s from claw tip to tail. They are red and bluish black, quite good looking for a crustacean and their claws don’t draw blood like the shorter bulkier claws of their smaller kin.