Ontario Baitfish identification and those legal to use as bait

[OldTimer]

In preparation in attempting to catch some suckers (for catfish bait) later this spring……… I thought it might be good to get more acquainted with the species, and in particular those of the suckers that are now protected by Ontario laws, and also those that are illegal to use as bait.

I tripped across this “Bait Fish Primer” produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Good read and I learned a lot………… plus might be handy for those of our members hoping to put up entries in the OSF Multi Species contest. I think I've have seen this before – but it has been expanded greatly........ worth a peek.

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/regions/central...-5-eng.htm

This isn’t too shabby either:

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/regions/central...ex-eng.htm

All good reading during this cold snap.

Cheers,

OldTimer

[MuskieBait]

(02-01-2013 04:02 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  In preparation in attempting to catch some suckers (for catfish bait) later this spring……… I thought it might be good to get more acquainted with the species, and in particular those of the suckers that are now protected by Ontario laws, and also those that are illegal to use as bait.

I tripped across this “Bait Fish Primer” produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Good read and I learned a lot………… plus might be handy for those of our members hoping to put up entries in the OSF Multi Species contest. I think I've have seen this before – but it has been expanded greatly........ worth a peek.

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/regions/central...-5-eng.htm

This isn’t too shabby either:

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/regions/central...ex-eng.htm

All good reading during this cold snap.

Cheers,

OldTimer

It's a very good book for identifying baitfish for sure, especially for people who are interested in fishing for those minnow species.

I still find that some ID is a bit confusing still. Some of the characteristics are not very well defined or specifically stated for related species.

[OldTimer]

I went back to the link above today and it's now dead.......... as the "Bait Fish Primer" has been archived.

So I hunted down & downloaded a copy of the pdf before it disappears altogether ..........here it is:


  Fs134-7-2010-eng.pdf (Size: 5.12 MB / Downloads: 36)

Edit: thought I'd add this in............ tells what species are currently legal in Ontario for bait:

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Let...98684.html

Cheers,

OldTimer

[Giuga10]

(01-13-2014 04:01 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  So I hunted down & downloaded a copy of the pdf before it disappears altogether ..........here it is:

Thank you very much for this, I've needed it on numerous occasions and tried to hunt it down but couldn't find it.

Thank you!

[OldTimer]

Here's a link to the 2011 edition - a much bigger download - almost 16meg - so I wont attach it. More up to date on redhorses' use as bait.

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/349568.pdf