It’s no secret that baits are best! Whether alive and moving or dead on the hook, the smell and characteristics of a real meal will attract fish in any environment. The best freshwater fishing baits are often found in the specific body of water or region you’re fishing in. But there are plenty of off-the-shelf options alongside those that you collect on your own.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the logic behind bait fishing, before honing in on the specifics. Read on to find out which baits are best and why they work in freshwater lakes and rivers across North America and beyond!
Why are baits effective for freshwater fishing?
Baits have the ability to attract fish from farther away than artificial lures in many cases. The natural scents are potent and they’re compatible with the olfactory system of most fish species. Additionally, baits often match the natural food sources in lakes and rivers. Naturally, it’s easier to fool fish with the real thing!
If you think about it, most lures and artificial options are trying to mimic a real food source. Either that or they’re playing on the reflex system of the fish to trigger territorial or predatory behavior. At times, lures and artificials can outfish real baits, but the real thing is generally the most effective way to catch fish with a hook and line.
Keep in mind, many fisheries do not allow live, dead, or artificial bait. Always pay attention to local regulations before purchasing or procuring your bait for the day. Rules are enforced to protect sensitive species, especially in catch-and-release fisheries.
Favorite Freshwater Fishing Baits
Every angler has their secret sauce for bait types and rigging styles. The following list constitutes many of the most prolific and effective baits out there. You’ll find many in tackle shops while others require a more hands-on approach to capture and maintain the field. Let’s take a closer look…
Worms
Tried and trusted, worms have been among the best freshwater fishing baits for generations. It’s no surprise that mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers are staples in many tackle shops. The availability makes them a great choice, while their performance is nothing short of impressive, too. Worms have been catching most freshwater game fish for eons – and that won’t be changing anytime soon. It doesn’t matter if you’re chasing Trout, Bass, or Catfish, a worm can get the job done.
Minnows
Most freshwater game fish prey on minnows and bait fish in their relative ecosystems. Trout, Crappie, Pike, and everything in between will inhale a minnow given the opportunity. Some tackle shops sell live minnows and many anglers catch their own. Shiners, chubs, and other varieties are common, but the exact species will depend on the local ecosystem.
Crayfish
I think this is one of the most underrated and underutilized baits available. The distribution of crayfish is large and they’re reasonably easy to catch. You can dive and catch them by hand, or drop a piece of hot dog on a string to haul them out of the water and into a bucket. Keeping crayfish alive once caught requires cold, aerated water. Alternatively, you can cut the tails and use them alone. Crayfish tails are loaded with meat and scent, and they stick well on most bait hooks.
Freshwater Mussels
Some lakes and rivers are loaded with mussels and clams. These tasty morsels are easy to thread onto a hook and fish love them. They’re also easy to collect right where you’re fishing. The convenience makes them a nice choice when you’re low on other baits or just want something fresh and local.
Crickets and Terrestrial Insects
A grasshopper or cricket on a hook will swim and wiggle, drawing immediate strikes in many places. They also work well after the wiggling stops. Tackle shops and pet stores sell them and they’re easy enough to capture in the wild. Crickets and other available terrestrial insects are always an option for savvy bait anglers.
Sucker Meat and Other Cut Bait
When live bait isn’t an option, dead or cut bait is the next best thing when freshwater fishing. I love cut sucker meat for Lake Trout, Pike, and a number of other species. It’s easy to freeze in strips and grab before hitting the water. Suckers are great but pretty much any species will work here. You can even use raw chicken to target Catfish!
Fish Eggs
Cured eggs in sacks will go head-to-head with any live bait option. They’re very potent and a number of species love them. Egg sacks are especially effective in freshwater rivers where Salmon and Steelhead are present. You can also use single eggs to catch Trout, Perch, and many other species.
Dough and Puddy Style Baits
Convenience comes in the form of preserved baits that live in nice little jars. They hold scent and work great for Crappie, Perch, Trout, Catfish, and plenty of additional species. Roll the dough directly on a hook, give it a pinch, and drop it in the water. This bait type works well under a bobber or fished right off the bottom. Beware, though, it can break loose from the hook.
Lures Work Too
As much as we love bait, lures also remain a staple in the boxes of most anglers. They offer more control and contact while having the convenience of never going bad. It’s a good idea to have both options ready to cover a wider range of fisheries and general situations. Spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, stickbaits, soft plastics, jigs, and your favorite lures should always have a place in the tackle box.
Fishing Rigs for Freshwater Bait
While bait selection is important, your choice of fishing rig will also determine how the bait holds and performs in freshwater. If you constantly lose baits or fail to hook fish, it’s generally the result of poor rigging. Spend the time pre-rigging at home and practice to become more efficient on the water.
Bobber and Float Rigs
Many bait options are conducive to fishing in a static manner. The scent and motion of the bait will attract fish and a bobber or float will indicate when they strike. Using a circle hook can even help to set without placing much or any pressure on the rod.
Bobber fishing is simple, easy to rig, and has caught too many fish to quantify! Give it a try if you haven’t already.
Shallow and Weedy Water Rigs
Working a bait through the shallows means you risk snags and losing baits. Sometimes, you need to find a way through these zones because fish love holding and feeding in them. Texas and Carolina-style rigs are fantastic for shallow-water fishing. They work with soft plastics and most baits you can procure.
Rigging Baits for Deep Waters
Rigging your bait on a weighted jig hook is the quickest and easiest way to get deep. But it’s far from the only way to rig. Using bullet weights that slide on the leader adds weight in a pinch. It also snugs up against the hook eye for a streamlined system.
Another amazing system uses a weight on the very bottom of the leader with one or several tags above the weight. The weight can drop to your desired depth and the baits will suspend above. It’s a favorite method of fishing the bottoms of any river or lake system.
The Best Freshwater Fishing Bait: What’s Yours?
When lures just aren’t producing, try switching to fresh baits. It’s never a bad idea and the results often speak loudly with stringers full of fish. For anglers looking to fill their limit, baits are a top choice. Think about your local waters and what your target fish are eating, and try to deliver something similar. Thank us later!
Do you have a favorite freshwater bait? Share your irresistible bait choices and rigging methods in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
