Catch your own live minnows, shiners, chubs, suckers, & other baitfish
More coming soon...
'Minnow' is a widely used term often referring to any small baitfish or juvenile predator fish that can be used as bait. However, true minnows are actually those species that are a part of the Cyprinidae family, so we'll use the term 'baitfish' here.
There are many types and species of fish that are great to use for bait. Baitfish are especially good bait when fishing for Channel Catfish, Lake Trout (Mackinaw), large Cutthroats, Walleye, Bass, and any other large predator, especially those who are primarily piscivorous (fish-eating).
Remember that fishing with live baitfish is illegal in the state of Utah! It is also illegal to transport baitfish live, so, remember that you must kill any that you catch before taking them home or using them for bait!
Some species of baitfish that are available (and legal) to use for bait in Utah include:
- Common Carp (juvenile, which are small enough to use through early summer)
- Golden Shiners
- Red-sided Shiners
- Utah Chub
- Utah Sucker
The following are some species of gamefish that can be used for bait, but only on certain waters.
- White Bass (Utah Lake)
- Yellow Perch (on a few select waters)
