Are Rosy Red Minnows Legal Baits?

October 19, 2017

Question: Are “rosy red minnows” legal baitfish in California? They are a species of “fathead minnows.” I have read the handbook and fatheads are legal to be used as bait. Considering rosies are fatheads, I’d assume they are legal. Please clarify this for me. I plan to go fishing in the Central Valley region of California. (Za Y.)

Answer: You are correct! Rosy reds are just fatheads of a different color. California is divided into seven sport fishing districts and the use of fathead minnows as baitfish is legal throughout a large portion of California. However, fathead minnows are not legal baitfish in the Southern, Sierra and North Coast districts, though they may be used in Shasta Lake. A map of the California sport fishing districts can be found on the back of the annual California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (CCR Title 14, sections 4.00-4.30; 6.31-6.37.)