The baitfish primer
A guide to identifying and protecting Ontario's baitfishes
by Becky Cudmore and Nicolas E. Mandrak
Table of Contents
- Complete Text
- Introduction
- Acknowledgements
- Summary of legislation and regulations related to baitfishes
- Potential impacts of harvest and use of baitfishes
- Baitfish habitat
- Anatomical key
- Pictorial key of Ontario fish families
- Species accounts
- What you can do to minimize impacts to aquatic ecosystems
- Further reading
- Contacts
Species accounts
- Species are grouped by evolutionary order of families, followed by groups of similar-looking species within families
- The following information is presented in the species accounts (modified from Holm et al. 2010):
- Characteristics: anatomical features used to distinguish species from similar species
- Size: Ontario average; Ontario record
- Similar species: other species with which the species may be confused
- Ontario distribution: general distribution in Ontario
- Habitat: brief description of habitat used by the species
- Use as bait: description of use as bait if it is a legal baitfish, or the reason for its prohibited or cautionary use
- The species are also labeled as Legal, Caution or Illegal based on the following criteria:
- Legal: listed as a species of baitfish in the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007 (OFRs) and not easily confused with illegal species.
- Caution: while not illegal, its use is considered cautionary, as it may be easily confused with illegal species.
- Illegal: the use of the species is prohibited as:
- it is listed as Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) or the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA)
- it is not listed as legal bait species under the OFRs; or
- it is listed as an invasive fish species in the under federal or provincial legislation and regulations
Herrings
Alewife
(Alosa pseudoharengus)
Characteristics:
- very laterally compressed body
- belly with saw-toothed edge
- large eye
- large mouth
Similar species: Gizzard Shad
Ontario distribution: introduced throughout the Great Lakes
Habitat: open water
Use as bait: introduced; illegal under the OFRs
Gizzard Shad
(Dorosoma cepedianum)
Characteristics:
- very deep and laterally compressed body
- saw-toothed keel along belly
- very long last ray on dorsal fin
Similar species: Alewife, juvenile Bighead and Silver Carp
Ontario distribution: Southern Ontario
Habitat: cool nearshore waters in the pelagic zone of the Great Lakes as well as turbid, vegetated tributaries
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs
Carps and minnows
Blackchin Shiner
(Notropis heterodon)
Characteristics:
- upturned mouth
- black pigment on snout and chin
- scales darkly outlined
- black stripe along side has zig-zag appearance
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; CAUTION: similar physical appearance with several at-risk fishes.
Blacknose Shiner
(Notropis heterolepis)
Characteristics:
- black stripe around snout, barely onto upper lip and not on chin
- black crescents within stripe along side
- scales darkly outlined except above dark stripe along silver side
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: sold mixed with other shiners; CAUTION: similar physical appearance with several at-risk fishes.
Bridle Shiner
(Notropis bifrenatus)
Characteristics:
- small, upturned mouth
- brown-black stripe along side and around snout
- scales darkly outlined
- usually black spot at base of caudal fin
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:
- small, strongly upturned mouth
- two very dark areas (front and rear) on dorsal fin in breeding males
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 Threatened under ESA.
Pugnose Shiner
(Notropis anogenus)
Characteristics:
- very small, upturned mouth
- black pigment on chin, lower lip, side of upper lip
- scales darkly outlined
- dark stripe along side
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 Threatened under ESA.
Blacknose Dace
(Rhinichthys atratulus)
Characteristics:
- thin barbel in corner of mouth
- no groove separating snout from upper lip
- pointed snout slightly overhangs mouth
- stripe along side, through eye and onto snout
Similar species: Longnose Dace
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: small, cool, clear, fast streams with rocky or gravelly substrate
Use as bait: used to a limited extent in Ontario; considered a relatively hardy species
Longnose Dace
(Rhinichthys cataractae)
Characteristics:
- thin barbel in corner of mouth
- no groove separating snout from upper lip
- long, fleshy snout extends beyond mouth
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:
- crowded scales between head and dorsal fin
- blunt snout overhanging small mouth
- scales darkly outlined (often with cross-hatched appearance)
- conspicuous black spot on caudal fin base
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:
- crowded scales between head and dorsal fin
- blunt snout with slanted mouth
- head short, flat on top
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:
- brassy-yellow body
- diffuse dusky stripe, developed on rear half of side
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:
- small, slightly subterminal mouth, rounded snout
- body deepest and widest in front of dorsal fin
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:
- hard ridge along edge of lower jaw
- some speckling on sides
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:
- large scales, much deeper than wide
- dark stripe along middle of back
- crowded scales between head and dorsal fin
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:
- large scales, much deeper than wide
- relatively deep body
- dark stripes on upper sides meet at middle of back behind dorsal fin to form large V’s
- scales between head and dorsal fin not crowded
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:
- large black spot at front of dorsal fin base
- black caudal spot (not obvious in large individuals)
- black stripe along side around snout and onto upper lip
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:
- small, thick barbel in groove above corner of mouth
- scales on back and upper side darkly outlined
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:
- thin barbel at corner of large mouth
- large, dark-edged scales
- spot on base of tail
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:
- thin barbel at corner of large mouth
- large, dark-edged scales
- no spot on tail
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:
- thin barbel at corner of large mouth
- large pectoral fins
- lead-coloured sides and back
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:
- fleshy lobe on each side of lower jaw
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:
- slender, elongate body
- large mouth on fairly pointed snout
- dorsal fin origin behind pelvic fin origin
- black lips (front half)
Similar species: Rosyface Shiner, Silver Shiner
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: common in large rivers and lakes
Use as bait: very popular baitfish, particularly for ice fishing; most important commercial baitfish in Ontario; CAUTION: similar appearance to at-risk Silver Shiner
Rosyface Shiner
(Notropis rubellus)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- large mouth on sharply pointed long snouth
- dorsal fin origin well behind pelvic fin origin
- faint red at base of dorsal fin
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:
- slender, elongate body
- large mouth on long snout
- dorsal fin origin over pelvic fin
- two black crescents between nostrils
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 and runs
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and Threatened under ESA.
Finescale Dace
(Chrosomus neogaeus)
Characteristics:
- very small scales
- large mouth extending to under eye
- single black stripe along side
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:
- very small scales
- small mouth
- two black stripes along side
Similar species: Finescale Dace, Pearl Dace
Ontario distribution: widespread in central and northern Ontario, limited in southern Ontario
Habitat: 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
Northern Pearl Dace
(Margariscus nachtriebi)
Characteristics:
- very small scales
- small mouth
- barbel in groove above lip (often missing on one or both sides)
- many small black and brown specks on silver side
Similar species: Finescale Dace, Northern Redbelly Dace
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:
- body translucent milky white overall in colour
Similar species: Mimic Shiner, Sand Shiner, River 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:
- lateral band weakly pigmented
- black pigment surrounding anus
Similar species: Ghost Shiner, Sand Shiner, River Shiner
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: quiet or still waters of streams and lakes
Use as bait: common; usually captured incidentally while harvesting other baitfishes, such as Emerald Shiner; CAUTION: similar in appearance to illegal Ghost Shiner
River Shiner
(Notropis blennius)
Characteristics:
- Rounded snout overhangs mouth
- Uniform dark stripe along back
- Dorsal fin origin directly over pelvic fin origin
- Mostly silvery with small dark pigment on sides
Similar species: Ghost Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Sand Shiner
Ontario distribution: northwestern Ontario, Rainy River and Lake-of-the-Woods
Habitat: pools and main channels of medium to large rivers, low to moderate velocities, silt and gravel substrates
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs
Sand Shiner
(Notropis stramineus)
Characteristics:
- lateral band weakly pigmented
- no black pigment surrounding anus
Similar species: Ghost Shiner, Mimic Shiner, River 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; CAUTION: similar in appearance to illegal Ghost Shiner
Golden Shiner
(Notemigonus crysoleucas)
Characteristics:
- small, upturned mouth
- deep-bodied but very thin
- scaleless keel along belly from pelvic to anal fin
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; CAUTION: very similar in appearance to illegal Rudd
Rudd
(Scardinius erythrophthalmus)
Characteristics:
- small, upturned mouth
- deep-bodied but very thin
- scaled keel along belly from pelvic to anal fin
- bright red anal, pelvic and pectoral fins, red-brown dorsal and caudal fins
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:
- very small scales in front of dorsal fin
- dark spot at dorsal fin origin
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:
- scales on side diamond-shaped (taller than wide)
- dusky to black bar on chin
- black spot on rear half of dorsal fin
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:
- rounded snout overhanging mouth
- barbel in corner of mouth
- no spot on caudal peduncle
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 Threatened under ESA.
Spottail Shiner
(Notropis hudsonius)
Characteristics:
- rounded snout overhanging mouth
- no barbel
- large black caudal spot
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 and eastern Ontario
Common Carp
(Cyprinus carpio)
Characteristics:
- large scales
- deep, thick body, strongly arched to dorsal fin, flattened behind
- saw-toothed spine at front of dorsal, pectoral and anal fins
- two barbels on each side of upper jaw
Similar species: Goldfish, Grass Carp, Tench
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:
- Large scales
- deep, thick body, strongly arched to dorsal fin
- saw-toothed spine at front of dorsal, pectoral and anal fins
- no barbels
Similar species: Common Carp, Tench
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
Tench
(Tinca tinca)
Characteristics:
- very small scales
- one barbel on each side of upper jaw
Similar species: Common Carp, Goldfish, Lake Chubsucker
Ontario distribution: potential invader
Habitat: shallow, muddy vegetated ponds, lakes, and streams
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs
Bighead Carp
(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
Characteristics:
- eye sits below the mouth
- small scales with dark blotches
- no barbels
- no long last ray on dorsal fin
Similar species: Silver Carp, Gizzard Shad
Ontario distribution: potential invader
Habitat: wide variety of habitats in large streams and lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs, ISA, and federal AIS regulations
Black Carp
(Mylopharyngodon piceus)
Characteristics:
- large scales
- thick body, not deep
- large, dark-edged scales
- no spines on dorsal, pectoral and anal fins
- no barbels
Similar species: Grass Carp, Goldfish, Tench
Ontario distribution: potential invader
Habitat: wide variety of habitats in large streams and lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs, ISA, and federal AIS regulations
Grass Carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Characteristics:
- large scales
- thick body, not deep
- large, dark-edged scales
- no spines on dorsal, pectoral and anal fins
- no barbels
Similar species: Black Carp, Common Carp, Goldfish, Tench, Fallfish
Ontario distribution: isolated individuals introduced in southern Ontario
Habitat: wide variety of habitats, large streams and nearshore of lakes, typically with aquatic vegetation
Use as bait: invasive; illegal under the OFRs, ISA, and federal AIS regulations
Silver Carp
(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Characteristics:
- eye sits below the mouth
- small, shiny scales
- no barbels
- no long last ray on dorsal fin
Similar species: Bighead Carp, Gizzard Shad
Ontario distribution: potential invader
Habitat: wide variety of habitats in large streams and lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs, ISA, and federal AIS regulations
Gravel Chub
(Erimystax x-punctatus)
Characteristics:
- small, thin barbel in corner of mouth
- many dark X’s on back and side
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:
- long pointed snout, with very large mouth
- bright red stripe on lower side
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 and SARA.
Suckers and redhorses
Longnose Sucker
(Catostomus catostomus)
Characteristics:
- thick lips with many ‘pimples’
- very small scales
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
Northern Hog Sucker
(Hypentelium nigricans)
Characteristics:
- thick lips with ‘pimples’
- large scales
- large, rectangular head, broadly flat (young) or concave (adult) between eyes
- three to six dusky-brown saddles on upper side
Similar species: Longnose Sucker, White Sucker
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: riffles and adjacent pools of clear shallow streams with gravel to rubble substrates; found infrequently in shallow lakes near the mouths of streams
Use as bait: limited, sometimes sold as “pike” bait
White Sucker
(Catostomus commersonii)
Characteristics:
- thick lips (lower lip about twice as thick as upper lip) with many “pimples”
- small scales
Similar species: Longnose Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: found in a wide range of habitats
Use as bait: widespread; often sold as “pike” bait
Lake Chubsucker
(Erimyzon sucetta)
Characteristics:
- thin lips with grooves on small, slightly upturned mouth
- deep body
- rounded edge on dorsal fin
- no barbels
Similar species: other suckers; Tench
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: shallow, clear, vegetated ponds and lakes over silt, sand or debris; rarely in streams
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Threatened under ESA and Endangered under SARA
Black Redhorse
(Moxostoma duquesnei)
Characteristics:
- mouth under snout has thick lips with grooves
- large scales
- gray caudal fin
- concave dorsal fin
- lower lip not notched
Similar species: Golden Redhorse, Greater Redhorse, River Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: pools in the swifter flowing medium-to-large rivers
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Threatened under ESA.
Golden Redhorse
(Moxostoma erythrurum)
Characteristics:
- large scales
- gray caudal fin
- concave dorsal fin
- lower lip notched
Similar species: Black Redhorse, Greater Redhorse, River Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: clear, small- to large-sized streams in riffles over variety of substrates
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs
Greater Redhorse
(Moxostoma valenciennesi)
Characteristics:
- thick lips with grooves
- large scales
- red caudal fin
- concave dorsal fin
- grooves on lower lip are parallel
Similar species: Black Redhorse, Golden Redhorse, River Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker
Ontario distribution: southern Ontario
Habitat: large streams in riffles with bottoms of clean sand, gravel or boulders
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs
River Redhorse
(Moxostoma carinatum)
Characteristics:
- mouth under snout has thick lips with grooves
- large scales
- red caudal fin
- dorsal fin edge usually straight
- grooves on lower lip are parallel
Similar species: isolated populations in southern Ontario
Ontario distribution: Black, Golden, Greater, Shorthead, and Silver Redhorses; White Sucker
Habitat: rocky pools and swift runs of small-to-large sized streams ; impoundments
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and ESA.
Shorthead Redhorse
(Moxostoma macrolepidotum)
Characteristics:
- thick lips with grooves
- large scales
- red caudal fin
- concave dorsal fin
- lower lip notched
Similar species: Black, Golden, Greater, River, and Silver Redhorses; White Sucker
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: lakes and streams over bottoms of sand or gravel without heavy silt
Use as bait: CAUTION: redhorse species (including species at risk) are very difficult to distinguish from one another
Silver Redhorse
(Moxostoma anisurum)
Characteristics:
- thick lips with grooves or pimples on mouth under snout
- large scales
- gray caudal fin
- convex dorsal fin
- lower lip notched
Similar species: Black, Golden, Greater, River, and Shorthead Redhorses; White Sucker
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: mud- to rock bottomed pools and runs of small- to large-sized streams; occasionally lakes
Use as bait: CAUTION: redhorse species (including species at risk) are very difficult to distinguish from one another
Spotted Sucker
(Minytrema melanops)
Characteristics:
- thin lips with grooves
- small scales
- rows of dark spots at scale bases on back and side
Similar species: other suckers
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: creeks and small rivers with sandy, gravelly, or hard clay bottoms without silt, but occasionally in large rivers and impoundments
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and ESA.
Mudminnows
Central Mudminnow
(Umbra limi)
Characteristics:
- dorsal and anal fins far back on body
- black bar on caudal fin base
- rounded caudal fin
Similar species: Blackstripe Topminnow; Banded Killifish
Ontario distribution: southern Ontario
Habitat: still, mud-bottomed, often heavily vegetated streams and ponds
Use as bait: sold and used as bait, hardy (capable of breathing air)
Smelts
Rainbow Smelt
(Osmerus mordax)
Characteristics:
- streamlined, elongate body
- adipose fin
- large teeth on jaw and tongue
Similar species: Cisco species (illegal baitfish, most at risk; most not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: native to Ottawa Valley in Ontario, widely introduced elsewhere
Habitat: open waters of lakes
Use as bait: introduced; illegal under the OFRs
Salmon, trouts and whitefishes
Cisco
(Coregonus artedi)
Characteristics:
- streamlined, elongate body
- adipose fin
- no teeth
Similar species: Rainbow Smelt; other Cisco species (illegal baitfishes, most at risk; not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: Great Lakes, central and northern Ontario
Habitat: primarily found in opens waters of lakes but may occur in large streams
Use as bait: popular in some areas for use as bait for Lake Trout and salmon; CAUTION: similar in appearance to illegal Rainbow Smelt and other at-risk cisco species
New world silversides
Brookside Silverside
(Labidesthes sicculus)
Characteristics:
- small upturned mouth
- two dorsal fins
- long anal fin
Similar species: Emerald Shiner, Rainbow Smelt, Silver Shiner
Ontario distribution: southern Ontario
Habitat: warm surface waters of clear streams and nearshores of lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs
Topminnows
Banded Killifish
(Fundulus diaphanus)
Characteristics:
- small upturned mouth
- 12-20 vertical bars
Similar species: Blackstripe Topminnow; Central Mudminnow
Ontario distribution: southern and northwestern Ontario
Habitat: warm surface waters of clear streams and nearshores of lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs
Blackstripe Topminnow
(Fundulus notatus)
Characteristics:
- small upturned mouth
- dark lateral stripe along side
Similar species: Banded Killifish; Central Mudminnow
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: warm surface waters of small streams
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Special Concern under SARA and ESA.
Trout-perches
Trout-Perch
(Percopsis omiscomaycus)
Characteristics:
- large, unscaled head
- adipose fin
- spines in dorsal, anal and pelvic fins
- rows of 7-12 dusky spots along back, upper side and side
Similar species: none
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: lakes or deep flowing pools of small- to large-sized streams, usually over sand
Use as bait: incidental capture and sold with mixed species
Sticklebacks
Brook Stickleback
(Culaea inconstans)
Characteristics:
- 4-7 (usually 5) short dorsal spines
- deep, thin body with no bony plates on side
Similar species: Fourspine, Ninespine and Threespine sticklebacks
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: quiet, vegetated waters of small rivers, ponds or lakes over sand, muck or mud
Use as bait: only incidental; CAUTION: similar in appearance to illegal Fourspine Stickleback
Fourspine Stickleback
(Apeltes quadracus)
Characteristics:
- four dorsal spines of various lengths, wide gap before last spine
- no bony plates on side
Similar species: Brook, Ninespine, and Threespine sticklebacks
Ontario distribution: introduced into northwestern Lake Superior
Habitat: quiet, vegetated waters
Use as bait: introduced; illegal under the OFRs
Ninespine Stickleback
(Pungitius pungitius)
Characteristics:
- nine short dorsal spines
- slender body
- well-developed keel on caudal peduncle
- no bony plates on side
Similar species: Brook, Fourspine, and Threespine sticklebacks
Ontario distribution: widespread in northern Ontario, the Great Lakes
Habitat: shallow, vegetated areas of streams, ponds or lakes; deep waters of Great Lakes
Use as bait: only incidental
Threespine Stickleback
(Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Characteristics:
- three dorsal spines, last very short
- bony plates on side
- bony keel along side of caudal peduncle
Similar species: Brook, Fourspine, and Ninespine sticklebacks
Ontario distribution: isolated populations mainly in central and eastern Ontario
Habitat: shallow areas over mud or sand with vegetation
Use as bait: incidental; CAUTION: has been introduced in some parts of Ontario
Sculpins
Mottled Sculpin
(Cottus bairdii)
Characteristics:
- dorsal fins joined at base
- 2-3 dark bars on body under second dorsal fin
- large black spots at front and rear of first dorsal fin
Similar species: Slimy Sculpin, Round Goby and Tubenose Goby (Spoonhead and Deepwater sculpins look similar but, due to their deepwater habitats, they are not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: riffles of small streams and headwaters over rubble or gravel; rocky shores of lakes
Use as bait: limited; CAUTION: easily confused with illegal gobies
Slimy Sculpin
(Cottus cognatus)
Characteristics:
- long, fairly slender body
- three pelvic rays
- prickles on head and behind pectoral fin base
Similar species: Mottled Sculpin, Round Goby and Tubenose Goby (Spoonhead and Deepwater sculpins look similar but, due to their deepwater habitats, they are not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: rocky areas of cold streams and lakes
Use as bait: limited; CAUTION: easily confused with illegal gobies
Perches and darters
Blackside Darter
(Percina maculata)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- large mouth
- 6-9 large oval black blotches along side
- black caudal spot
Similar species: Logperch
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: riffles and pools of medium-sized streams over gravel and sand with an abundance of vegetation
Use as bait: only incidental
Channel Darter
(Percina copelandi)
Characteristics:
- slender, elgonated body
- blunt snout
- 9-10 horizontally oblong black blotches along side
- black X’s and W’s on back and upper side
Similar species: River Darter
Ontario distribution: isolated populations in southern Ontario
Habitat: pools and margins of riffles of small- to medium-sized streams usually over sand and gravel; shores of lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Threatened under SARA and ESA.
Logperch
(Percina caprodes)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- large mouth
- dusky tear drop
- many alternating long and short bars along side
Similar species: Blackside Darter
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: medium to large streams, rivers and lakes over sand and gravel bottoms
Use as bait: occasionally used as live bait but cannot be held long in a bait bucket
River Darter
(Percina shumardi)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- large mouth
- black teardrop
- 8-15 black bars along side
- small black spot at front, large black spot near rear of first dorsal fin
Similar species: Channel Darter
Ontario distribution: widespread in northwestern Ontario, isolated populations in southwestern Ontario
Habitat: medium- to large-sized streams with strong, deep current over sand, gravel or rock
Use as bait: CAUTION: the southwestern Ontario population has been recently assessed by COSEWIC and COSSARO as Endangered and is pending listing under SARA and ESA; only be used as bait in northwestern Ontario
Fantail Darter
(Etheostoma flabellare)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- small mouth
- black bands on second dorsal fin and caudal fin
- gold knobs on tips of dorsal spines
Similar species: Greenside Darter, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Least Darter, Rainbow Darter, Tessellated Darter
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: gravel- and boulder-bottomed streams of slow to moderate flow
Use as bait: only incidental
Greenside Darter
(Etheostoma blennioides)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- small mouth
- dusky teardrop
- 5-18 green W’s, V’s, or bars on side
Similar species: Fantail Darter, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Least Darter, Rainbow Darter, Tessellated Darter
Ontario distribution: isolated populations in southwestern Ontario
Habitat: small- to large-sized streams among rubble and small boulders with attached filamentous algae
Use as bait: illegal under OFRs; introduced beyond native range
Iowa Darter
(Etheostoma exile)
Characteristics:
- slender, elgonated body
- small mouth
- black teardrop
- middle red band on first dorsal fin
Similar species: Fantail Darter, Greenside Darter, Johnny Darter, Least Darter, Rainbow Darter, Tessellated Darter
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: clear, standing, or slowly moving waters of streams, small to medium rivers and lakes with aquatic vegetation, and a bottom of organic debris and sand
Use as bait: only incidental
Johnny Darter
(Etheostoma nigrum)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- small mouth
- black teardrop
- dark brown X’s and W’s along side
Similar species: Fantail Darter, Greenside Darter, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rainbow Darter, Tessellated Darter
Ontario distribution: widespread
Habitat: wide variety of aquatic habitats but most common in quieter waters over bottom of sand, gravel, silt, or a combination of these, but do inhabit weedy areas or gravel riffles of streams
Use as bait: only incidental
Least Darter
(Etheostoma microperca)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- small mouth
- large, black teardrop
- dark green saddles
Similar species: Fantail Darter, Greenside Darter, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Rainbow Darter, Tessellated Darter
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario, isolated populations in northern Ontario
Habitat: clear, quiet, weedy waters of lakes and slow-moving small- to medium-sized streams
Use as bait: likely none as a result of small size
Rainbow Darter
(Etheostoma caeruleum)
Characteristics:
- relatively deep-bodied
- small mouth
- no teardrop
- 6-10 dark saddles
Similar species: Fantail Darter, Greenside Darter, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Least Darter, Tessellated Darter
Ontario distribution: southwestern Ontario
Habitat: fast-flowing gravel and rubble-bottomed riffles of small to medium streams
Use as bait: only incidental
Tesselated Darter
(Etheostoma olmstedi)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate body
- small mouth
- black teardrop
- dark brown X’s and W’s along side
- six dark brown saddles
Similar species: Fantail Darter, Greenside Darter, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Least Darter, Rainbow Darter
Ontario distribution: southeastern Ontario
Habitat: lakes and rivers over mud, sand or rock bottom
Use as bait: only incidental
Eastern Sand Darter
(Ammocrypta pellucida)
Characteristics:
- slender, elongate, transparent body
- 10-19 horizontal dark green blotches along side
Similar species: other darters
Ontario distribution: isolated populations in southwestern Ontario
Habitat: sand-bottomed areas of small to large streams and wave-protected beaches of large lakes
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; listed as Threatened under SARA and ESA.
Ruffe
(Gymnocephalus cernua)
Characteristics:
- fairly deep, compressed body
- broadly joined, spiny dorsal fins
- many small black spots on dorsal and caudal fins
Similar species: Yellow Perch (not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: introduced into western Lake Superior
Habitat: lakes; quiet pools and margins of streams
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; invasive species
Gobies
Tubenose Goby
(Proterorhinus semilunaris)
Characteristics:
- fused pelvic fins
- long anterior nostrils
- spiny dorsal fin with oblique black lines (no spot)
Similar species: Round Goby, Mottled and Slimy Sculpins (Spoonhead and Deepwater sculpins - not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: isolated, introduced populations in southwestern Ontario and Lake Superior basin
Habitat: shallow, vegetated areas of lakes and streams
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; invasive species
Round Goby
(Neogobius melanostomus)
Characteristics:
- fused pelvic fins
- greenish, spiny dorsal fin with a black spot
Similar species: Tubenose Goby, Mottled and Slimy sculpins (Spoonhead and Deepwater sculpins - not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: introduced populations in the Great Lakes and tributaries
Habitat: rocky or gravelly habitat, generally inhabit the nearshore area of lakes but will migrate to deeper water in winter; also found in tributaries
Use as bait: illegal under the OFRs; invasive species
Crayfishes
Rusty Crayfish
(Orconectes rusticus)
Characteristics:
- greenish coloured claws with dark black bands near the tips
- prominent rusty patches on either side of the carapace
Similar species: native crayfishes (not included in this Primer)
Ontario distribution: isolated, introduced in southern Ontario
Habitat: streams and lakes with adequate rock, log, and debris cover and substrates of clay, silt and gravel
Use as bait: CAUTION: overland transport is prohibited; crayfishes in general cannot be commercially harvested or sold; anglers can capture their own bait but must use it in the waterbody where it is captured
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