Alewife

(Alosa pseudoharengus)

Characteristics: 1. very laterally compressed body; 2. belly with saw-toothed edge; 3. large eye; 4. large mouth
Size:to 205mm
Similar species: Gizzard Shad (illegal baitfish, not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: introduced throughout the Great Lakes
Habitat: open water
Use as bait: introduced; illegal under the OFRs

Blackchin Shiner

(Notropis heterodon)

Characteristics:1. upturned mouth; 2. black pigment on snout and chin; 3. scales darkly outlined; 4. black stripe along side has zig-zag appearance.
Size:to 71mm
Similar species: Blacknose Shiner, Bridle Shiner, Pugnose Minnow, Pugnose Shiner
Ontario distribution: central and northern Ontario, limited in southern Ontario
Habitat: vegetated, nearshore areas of lakes and small rivers
Use as bait: occasionally sold mixed with other shiners

Blacknose Shiner

(Notropis heterolepis)

Characteristics: 1. black stripe around snout, barely onto upper lip and not on chin; 2. black crescents within stripe along side; 3. scales darkly outlined except above dark stripe along silver side.
Size:to 81mm
Similar species: Blackchin Shiner, Bridle Shiner, Pugnose Minnow, Pugnose Shiner
Ontario distribution: central and northern Ontario, limited in southern Ontario
Habitat: cool, clear, weedy streams and shallow bays of lakes with sand or gravel bottom
Use as bait: mixed with other shiners, it may not be recognized

Bridle Shiner

(Notropis bifrenatus)

Characteristics: 1. small, upturned mouth; 2. brown-black stripe along side and around snout; 3. scales darkly outlined; 4. black spot at base of caudal fin.
Size:to 50mm
Similar species: Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Pugnose Minnow, Pugnose Shiner
Ontario distribution: southeastern Ontario
Habitat: clear, still, shallow streams, ponds or lakes with submerged aquatic vegetation and bottom is mud, silt, or sand
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and ESA

Pugnose Minnow

(Opsopoeodus emiliae)

Characteristics: 1. small, strongly upturned mouth; 2. two very dark areas (front and rear) on dorsal fin.
Size:to 64mm
Similar species: Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bridle Shiner, Pugnose Shiner
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: slow moving waters of turbid small to large streams
Use as bait: illegal under OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and ESA.

Pugnose Shiner

(Notropis anogenus)

Characteristics: 1. very small, upturned mouth; 2. black pigment on chin, lower lip, side of upper lip; 3. scales darkly outlined; 4. dark stripe along side.
Size: to 60mm
Similar species: Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bridle Shiner, Pugnose Minnow
Ontario distribution: isolated populations in southwestern Ontario and the St. Lawrence River
Habitat: clear, heavily vegetated lakes, and pools of vegetated streams and rivers with clean sand or mud bottoms
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Endangered under SARA and ESA.

Blacknose Dace

(Rhinichthys atratulus)

Characteristics: 1. thin barbel in corner of mouth; 2. no groove separating snout from upper lip; 3. pointed snout slightly overhangs mouth; 4. stripe along side, through eye and onto snout.
Size: to 58mm
Similar species: Longnose Dace
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: small, cool streams
Use as bait: used to a limited extent in Ontario; considered a relatively hardy species

Longnose Dace

(Rhinichthys cataractae)

Characteristics: 1. thin barbel in corner of mouth; 2. no groove separating snout from upper lip; 3. long, fleshy snout extends beyond mouth.
Size: to 118mm
Similar species: Blacknose Dace
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: clean, swift streams with gravel beds, occasionally taken in inshore waters of lakes
Use as bait: not commonly used, possibly because of its drab colouration and its intolerance of the still water of bait buckets

Bluntnose Minnow

(Pimephales notatus)

Characteristics: 1. crowded scales between head and dorsal fin; 2. blunt snout overhanging small mouth; 3. scales darkly outlined (often with cross-hatched appearance); 4. conspicuous black spot on caudal fin base.
Size: to 112mm
Similar species: Fathead Minnow
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: main river channels over substrate of silt, sand, gravel or rocks; avoids heavy vegetation
Use as bait: not a popular species as it does not withstand crowding in a bait bucket as well as other species

Fathead Minnow

(Pimephales promelas)

Characteristics: 1. crowded scales between head and dorsal fin; 2. blunt snout with slanted mouth; 3. head short, flat on top.
Size: to 73mm
Similar species: Bluntnose Minnow
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: found in a wide range of habitats, but generally prefers still waters
Use as bait: angler preference varies locally; transports and holds well in commercial tanks and bait buckets

Brassy Minnow

(Hybognathus hankinsoni)

Characteristics: 1. brassy-yellow body; 2. diffuse dusky stripe, developed on rear half of side.
Size: to 97 mm
Similar species: Eastern Silvery Minnow
Ontario distribution: widespread in southern and northwestern Ontario
Habitat: small, sluggish weedy streams with sand, gravel or mud bottom covered by organic
sediment; also common in silt-bottomed, shallow bog ponds, streams and lakes
Use as bait: not commonly used

Eastern Silvery Minnow

(Hybognathus regius)

Characteristics: 1. small, slightly subterminal mouth, rounded snout; 2. body deepest and widest in front of dorsal fin.
Size: to 120mm
Similar species: Brassy Minnow
Ontario distribution: southeastern Ontario
Habitat: pools and backwaters of medium to large-sized streams with sandy bottoms
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs

Central Stoneroller

(Campostoma anomalum)

Characteristics: 1. hard ridge along edge of lower jaw; 2. some speckling on sides.
Size: to 190mm
Similar species: none
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario, introduced in other parts of southern Ontario
Habitat: small- to medium-sized streams with moderate, sometimes fast current and gravel to rock bottoms with attached filamentous algae
Use as bait: occasionally used, becoming more common

Common Shiner

(Luxilus cornutus)

Characteristics: 1. large scales, much deeper than wide; 2. dark stripe along middle of back; 3. crowded scales between head and dorsal fin.
Size: to 169mm
Similar species: Striped Shiner
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: small- to medium-sized weedless streams with gravel to rubble bottom, and nearshore of lakes
Use as bait: commonly used as a bait species - its large size and silvery appearance make it particularly attractive, transports and holds well in commercial tanks but does not live long in bait buckets

Striped Shiner

(Luxilus chrysocephalus)

Characteristics: 1. large scales, much deeper than wide; 2. relatively deep body; 3. dark stripes on upper sides meet at middle of back behind dorsal fin to form large V’s; 4. scales between head and dorsal fin not crowded.
Size: to 240mm
Similar species: Common Shiner
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: weedless, medium-sized streams with alternating pools and riffles over a gravel or rubble bottom, often with some silt
Use as bait: not known

Creek Chub

(Semotilus atromaculatus)

Characteristics: 1. large black spot at front of dorsal fin base; 2. black caudal spot (not obvious in large individuals); 3. black stripe along side around snout and onto upper lip.
Size: to 240mm
Similar species: Fallfish, Hornyhead Chub, Lake Chub, River Chub
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: small, clear, streams; nearshore of small lakes
Use as bait: one of the most important bait minnows as it is hardy, grows to a large size, and can be readily caught in most streams

Fallfish

(Semotilus corporalis)

Characteristics: 1. small, thick barbel in groove above corner of mouth; 2. scales on back and upper side darkly outlined.
Size: to 420mm
Similar species: Creek Chub, Hornyhead Chub, Lake Chub, River Chub
Ontario distribution: eastern Ontario
Habitat: clear, flowing, gravel-bottomed streams, and lakes
Use as bait: limited use

Hornyhead Chub

(Nocomis biguttatus)

Characteristics: 1. thin barbel at corner of large mouth; 2. large, dark-edged scales; 3. spot on base of tail.
Size: to 188mm
Similar species: Creek Chub, Fallfish, Lake Chub, River Chub
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario, introduced elsewhere
Habitat: small- to medium-sized clear streams with gravel bottoms
Use as bait: not important as a bait species in Ontario, probably due to limited distribution and may not be distinguished from the more common Creek Chub; highly regarded in the northern US, especially for Northern Pike; attains large size, is hardy, and can withstand handling in commercial storage tanks and bait buckets

River Chub

(Nocomis micropogon)

Characteristics: 1. thin barbel at corner of large mouth; 2. large, dark-edged scales; 3. no spot on tail.
Size: to 287mm
Similar species: Creek Chub, Fallfish, Hornyhead Chub, Lake Chub
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario, introduced elsewhere
Habitat: medium-sized streams with gravel to boulder substrates
Use as bait: when used as a baitfish, it may not be distinguished from the more common Creek Chub

Lake Chub

(Couesius plumbeus)

Characteristics: 1. thin barbel at corner of large mouth; 2. large pectoral fins; 3. lead-coloured sides and back.
Size: to 189mm
Similar species: Creek Chub, Fallfish, Hornyhead Chub, River Chub
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: gravel-bottomed pools and runs of streams, lakes
Use as bait: limited use as live bait in Lake Trout fishing in the vicinity of Rossport, Lake Superior; spring spawning runs fished by bait harvesters for Walleye bait

Cutlip Minnow

(Exoglossum maxillingua)

Characteristics: 1. fleshy lobe on each side of lower jaw.
Size: to 157mm
Similar species: none
Ontario distribution: southeastern Ontario
Habitat: warm, clear, gravelly streams and rivers relatively free of vegetation and silt; dwells mostly under stones in quiet pools
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Threatened under ESA

Emerald Shiner

(Notropis atherinoides)

Characteristics: 1. slender, elongate body; 2. large mouth on fairly pointed snout; 3. dorsal fin origin behind pelvic fin origin; 4. black lips (front half).
Size: to 124mm
Similar species: Rosyface Shiner, Silver Shiner
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: pools and runs of medium- to large-sized streams and lakes
Use as bait: very popular baitfish, particularly for ice fishing; most important commercial baitfish in Ontario

Rosyface Shiner

(Notropis rubellus)

Characteristics: 1. slender, elongate body; 2. large mouth on sharply pointed long snouth; 3. dorsal fin origin well behind pelvic fin origin; 4. faint red at base of dorsal fin.
Size: to 92mm
Similar species: Emerald Shiner, Silver Shiner
Ontario distribution: southern Ontario
Habitat: clear, fast-flowing small- to medium-sized streams with bottoms of fine gravel or rubble, usually in or around riffles
Use as bait: not readily kept in commercial tanks

Silver Shiner

(Notropis photogenis)

Characteristics: 1. slender, elongate body; 2. large mouth on long snout; 3. dorsal fin origin over pelvic fin; 4. two black crescents between nostrils.
Size: to 130mm
Similar species: Emerald Shiner, Rosyface Shiner
Ontario distribution: isolated populations in southwestern Ontario
Habitat: clear, weedless medium- to large-sized streams with clean gravel or boulder bottoms, usually in riffles
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and ESA

Finescale Dace

(Chrosomus neogaeus)

Characteristics: 1. very small scales; 2. large mouth extending to under eye; 3. single black stripe along side.
Size: to 80mm
Similar species: Northern Redbelly Dace, Pearl Dace
Ontario distribution: central and northern Ontario, limited in southern Ontario
Habitat: tea-stained, cool, small, boggy streams and lakes usually over silt and near vegetation; often common in beaver ponds
Use as bait: widely distributed and often abundant baitfish

Northern Redbelly Dace

(Chrosomus eos)

Characteristics: 1. very small scales; 2. small mouth; 3. two black stripes along side.
Size: to 61mm
Similar species: Finescale Dace, Pearl Dace
Ontario distribution: widespread in central and northern Ontario, limited in southern Ontario
Habitat: quiet, boggy streams, ponds and small lakes over a bottom of organic muck and vegetation
Use as bait: generally considered too small for a bait minnow but is hardy and readily available in less populated areas of Ontario, where it is used for bait

Pearl Dace

(Margariscus margarita)

Characteristics: 1. very small scales; 2. small mouth; 3. barbel in groove above lip (often missing on one or both sides); 4. many small black and brown specks on silver side.
Size: to 132mm
Similar species: Finescale Dace, Northern Redbelly Dace, Lake Chub
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: boggy streams, ponds, and small lakes with sand or gravel bottoms
Use as bait: in many areas it is an important bait minnow, but is usually unrecognized and included with other species sold as chub or dace

Ghost Shiner

(Notropis buchanani)

Characteristics: 1. body translucent milky white overall in colour.
Size: to 64mm
Similar species: Mimic Shiner, Sand Shiner
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: quiet waters of large streams and lakes with clean sand, gravel bottoms and some aquatic vegetation
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs

Mimic Shiner

(Notropis volucellus)

Characteristics: 1. lateral band weakly pigmented; 2. black pigment surrounding anus.
Size: to 76mm
Similar species: Ghost Shiner, Sand Shiner
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: quiet or still waters of streams and lakes
Use as bait: not known

Sand Shiner

(Notropis stramineus)

Characteristics: 1. lateral band weakly pigmented; 2. no black pigment surrounding anus.
Size: to 81mm
Similar species: Ghost Shiner, Mimic Shiner
Ontario distribution: southern Ontario
Habitat: sandy shallows of small- to large-sized rivers and lakes with some rooted aquatic plants
Use as bait: transports and holds well in commercial tanks, can withstand low oxygen conditions

Golden Shiner

(Notemigonus crysoleucas)

Characteristics: 1. small, upturned mouth; 2. deep-bodied but very thin; 3. scaleless keel along belly from pelvic to anal fin.
Size: to 211mm
Similar species: Rudd
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: clear, weedy, quiet waters of streams and lakes
Use as bait: one of the most popular of all baitfishes in North America (including Ontario); easily damaged by handling

Rudd

(Scardinius erythrophthalmus)

Characteristics: 1. small, upturned mouth; 2. deep-bodied but very thin; 3. scaled keel along belly from pelvic to anal fin; 4. bright red anal, pelvic and pectoral fins, red-brown dorsal and caudal fins.
Size: to 450mm
Similar species: Golden Shiner
Ontario distribution: isolated introduced populations in southern Ontario
Habitat: clear, weedy, quiet waters of streams and lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; invasive species

Redfin Shiner

(Lythrurus umbratilis)

Characteristics: 1. very small scales in front of dorsal fin; 2. dark spot at dorsal fin origin.
Size: to 81mm
Similar species: Spotfin Shiner
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: quiet waters of creeks and small- to medium-sized rivers, with some vegetation
Use as bait: generally considered too small and uncommon in Ontario to be used as baitfish

Spotfin Shiner

(Cyprinella spiloptera)

Characteristics: 1. scales on side diamond-shaped (taller than wide); 2. dusky to black bar on chin; 3. black spot on rear half of dorsal fin.
Size: to 120mm
Similar species: Redfin Shiner
Ontario distribution: southern Ontario
Habitat: medium- to large-sized unvegetated streams over sand, gravel, or rubble, often in somewhat turbid waters
Use as bait: can be used as a baitfish but of no real importance in Ontario due to limited distribution; not readily kept in tanks

Silver Chub

(Macrhybopsis storeriana)

Characteristics: 1. rounded snout overhanging mouth; 2. barbel in corner of mouth; 3. no spot on caudal peduncle.
Size: to 231mm
Similar species: Spottail Shiner
Ontario distribution: Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair
Habitat: shallow areas of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and ESA

Spottail Shiner

(Notropis hudsonius)

Characteristics: 1. rounded snout overhanging mouth; 2. no barbel; 3. large black caudal spot.
Size: to 137mm
Similar species: Silver Chub
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: large streams and lakes, usually over sandy or rocky shallows with sparse vegetation
Use as bait: most frequently used bait minnow in many parts of northern Ontario

Common Carp

(Cyprinus carpio)

Characteristics: 1. deep, thick body, strongly arched to dorsal fin, flattened below; 2. saw-toothed spine at front of dorsal, pectoral and anal fins; 3. two barbels on each side of upper jaw.
Size: to 800mm
Similar species: Goldfish, Grass Carp
Ontario distribution: introduced throughout southern Ontario, isolated populations in northern Ontario
Habitat: wide variety of habitats, in small- to large-sized streams, nearshore of lakes over all types of substrates
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; introduced

Goldfish

(Carassius auratus)

Characteristics: 1. deep, thick body, strongly arched to dorsal fin; 2. saw-toothed spine at front of dorsal, pectoral and anal fins; 3. no barbels.
Size: to 457mm
Similar species: Common Carp
Ontario distribution: introduced throughout southwestern Ontario, isolated populations elsewhere.
Habitat: wide variety of habitats, in small to large streams, nearshore of lakes over all types of substrates
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; introduced

Grass Carp

(Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Characteristics: 1. thick body, not deep; 2. large, dark-edged scales; 3. no spines on dorsal, pectoral and anal fins. Size: to 1500mm
Similar species: Common Carp, Goldfish
Ontario distribution: isolated individuals introduced in southern Ontario
Habitat: wide variety of habitats, large streams and nearshore of lakes over all types of substrates
Use as bait: invasive; illegal under the OFRs

Gravel Chub

(Erimystax x-punctatus)

Characteristics: 1. small, thin barbel in corner of mouth; 2. many dark X’s on back and side.
Size: to 99mm
Similar species: Creek Chub, Fallfish, Hornyhead Chub, Lake Chub, River Chub
Ontario distribution: only known from the Thames River in the 1950’s
Habitat: gravel-bottomed small- to large-sized streams, preferably slow moving and deep
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Extirpated under SARA and ESA

Redside Dace

(Clinostomus elongatus)

Characteristics:1. long pointed snout, with very large mouth; 2. bright red stripe on lower side.
Size: to 85mm
Similar species: Finescale Dace, Northern Redbelly Dace, Pearl Dace
Ontario distribution: isolated populations throughout southern Ontario
Habitat: clear, cool, flowing streams over rubble or gravel substrate
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Endangered under ESA.

Longnose Sucker

(Catostomus catostomus)

Characteristics: 1. thick lips with many ‘pimples’; 2. very small scales.
Size: to 583mm
Similar species: Northern Hog Sucker, White Sucker
Ontario distribution: Great Lakes, central and northern Ontario
Habitat: cold, deep lakes
Use as bait: only incidental, caught rarely with small White Suckers