Accurate understanding of the changes in fish resources and growth characteristic in important tributaries in the Three Gorges Reservoir can provide a scientific basis for fishery management and resource conservation in the region. This study was based on fishery information collected in 36 important tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir area in November and December 2015 and May, June, and September 2016. The growth and development status of eight species of dominant fish was evaluated using the FiSAT Ⅱ software developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). These species were Carassius auratus, Saurogobio dabryi, Pseudobagrus nitidus, . The growth and death parameters were estimated using the body length frequency distribution method (ELEFAN I), and the resource change trend was evaluated according to the Beverton-Holt model. The results showed the following. The body length and body weight of the eight species of fish were in a power function, and the growth index () was between 2.74 and 3.11, which is an approximate constant velocity growth. The growth coefficient () values of the eight species of fish were all greater than 0.2, which indicated a rapid growth type. The growth performance index ( was the highest at 5.25, and was the lowest at only 2.83. The development rates of (0.4) were less than 0.5 and less than ; the development rates of the remaining six species were 0.5 and above. The length of the opening of Cyprinus carpio, Pseudobagrus vachelli, Saurogobio dabryi, Pseudobagrus nitidus, Hemiculter leucisculus, and should be controlled at 289 mm, 253 mm, 134 mm, 102 mm, 71 mm, and 52 mm, respectively, and fish resources can be effectively restored. From these results, we can conclude that the development of important tributary fish resources in the Three Gorges reservoir area was excessive. The growth rate of omnivorous and carnivorous fish was increasing, but the benthic food fish were decreasing. We conclude that the upper reaches of the Yangtze River should focus on the protection of endemic species and the maintenance of biodiversity. Key waters should be forbidden from fishing throughout the year, so aquatic organisms can play out their ecological roles and improve the stability of the Yangtze River aquatic ecosystem.