The paddlefish will never win any beauty contests, thanks mainly to its remarkable snout, an elongated bill that gives rise to its nickname, "spoonbill." But what the paddlefish lacks in elegance it makes up for in sheer size and power. Forty to 50-pounders are common, and some will go over one hundred pounds. Historically, paddlefish inhabited most of the large North American river systems, but populations have disappeared or declined across most of its range. Dams - which prevent their spawning runs - and commercial fishing are the main culprits, although in recent years illegal poaching has taken a toll as well. Paddlefish roe is very similar to sturgeon caviar and is often sold illegally as such.