Northern Redbelly Dace
Chrosomus eos
Northern Redbelly Dace is a small, colorful minnow of cool, clear northern streams, beaver ponds, and quiet lake margins. It is primarily an insect and algae grazer, not a common sport fish, though it can be taken incidentally on very small hooks.
Identification points
- Bright red belly and lower sides on breeding males
- Dark lateral stripe with a distinct golden to olive back
- Small, slender dace with a small terminal mouth and no barbels
Habitat
Cool, clear headwaters, spring-fed creeks, beaver ponds, and vegetated lake edges with sand, gravel, or muck; often near submerged plants and undercut banks in the northern freshwater zone.
Bait notes
Micro jigs, tiny ճանfly nymphs, 18–24 size hooks with waxworms, maggots, or bits of worm can take them; also small bread or dough scraps in quiet water. Not a targeted game species in most waters.
Behavior
Shoals in shallow cover and feeds on small aquatic and terrestrial insects, zooplankton, algae, and detritus. It is most active in daylight and often remains close to vegetation and slack water.
Caution
None notable; it is small and not usually harvested for food. Check local regulations if collecting bait or fishing in protected northern waters.
Fishing notes
Use ultralight tackle, small floats, and light line; fish slowly along weed edges, pool margins, and shallow backwaters. Handle gently and release quickly if caught while fishing for larger minnows or panfish.