Inland Silverside

Body Type & Identification: Small, slender, and very silvery with a prominent silver lateral stripe and two dorsal fins. A schooling, open-water baitfish introduced throughout the western US. Very similar to the marine silversides — same family. Primarily a bait species and prey fish rather than a sport target.

Preferred Water Temperature: 65°F–78°F. A schooling, surface-oriented species found in open water of lakes and reservoirs. Follows zooplankton near the surface. Congregates in enormous schools that support large trout and bass fisheries in western reservoirs.

Habitat: Open water of lakes and reservoirs throughout the western US where introduced. Found in Pyramid Lake NV, Lake Mead NV/AZ, and many other western reservoirs. An important forage fish that has dramatically improved trout fisheries in many western lakes by providing abundant, high-energy prey.

Best Lures: Not typically targeted. Caught incidentally on tiny hooks and Sabiki rigs for use as live bait.

Best Baits: Not typically targeted for sport — primarily a forage fish. Caught with tiny lures or Sabiki rigs to use as live bait for trophy trout in western reservoirs.

Top 5 Destinations: Not a typical sport fishing target — found throughout western reservoirs as forage.