Inland Silverside
Menidia beryllina
Inland Silverside is a small, slender schooling fish common in quiet inshore waters and many freshwater systems. It feeds on plankton and tiny invertebrates, and is an important forage species for larger fish.
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Identification points
- Very slender, translucent body with bright silver sides
- Single small dorsal fin set well back on the body
- Lateral stripe with a distinct dark spot at the base of the tail fin
Habitat
Shallow coastal lagoons, estuaries, bays, marsh edges, tidal creeks, and also inland lakes, reservoirs, and slow rivers with open water near vegetation or sandy shorelines; usually in warm, clear to moderately turbid water.
Bait notes
Take small baits such as bits of worm, maggots, bloodworms, tiny shrimp, and commercial fish-fry or plankton-style baits. Micro jigs, small gold spoons, and tiny soft plastics also work when fish are schooling.
Behavior
Forms loose schools near the surface or midwater and feeds visually on zooplankton, insect larvae, and small crustaceans. It is active in warm weather, often moving into calm shallows and around lights at night.
Caution
No major human-consumption hazard is typical due to its small size, but it is usually a bait/forage species rather than a table fish. Observe local regulations if collecting baitfish, especially in protected waters.
Fishing notes
Use ultra-light tackle, fine leaders, and small hooks or tiny lures matched to their small mouth. Drift or slowly retrieve near the surface, around weed edges, docks, lights, and calm shorelines where schools cruise.