Thread: Minnows

What types of minnows are native to this area. Do we have Shiners, Shad, etc.?

Tons of shad in the Snake and Columbia River impoundments. There are a few lakes with shiners (I know there are Golden Shiners in Fazon lake) in them. I believe there are two native species of shiners here. Lake Wa has schools of fresh water herring.

Hello SlabKing and all. Actually shad are an introduced species brought to the West Coast from Pennsylvania stock in the 19' century. Therefore not natives!

I found the other native shiner.

The Redside Shiner: http://www.fisheries.org/idaho/Fishe...ide_shiner.htm



Here's a link that list all of the minnows in this state: http://www2.ups.edu/biology/museum/WAfishes.html I had no idea there were fathead minnows around.


You're right about those Shad Mojarra. Not native but thank goodness they are there to feed those channel cats and crappies in the Snake River lol.

Also this time of year there is walleye minnows everywhere in Eastern Washington.

Is there a way to catch the redside shiners? Minnow trap? Seine? Cast net? I wouldn't think they would take a hook.

I've caught redside shiners while fly fishing. I think bread in a minnow trap would catch them.

Are the redsides just on the eastside or can you find them on the westside. And what types of area hold them. Streams? Lakes? Slow moving water?

Has anyone ever seen fathead minnows in a lake or stream?


Thanx for all the help

Hi SlabKing,
Are you going out to LW this weekend?

Originally Posted by mojarra

Hi SlabKing,
Are you going out to LW this weekend?

I might head out there on Sunday morning for a few hours. On Saturday I'll be fishing a couple of the small Federal Way lakes for crappie