Fathead Minnow
Pimephales promelas
A small, hardy freshwater minnow native to North America with a distinctive blunt head and olive-brown coloration. Primarily used as baitfish and popular in the aquarium trade.
Fathead Minnow at a glance
- Scientific name
- Pimephales promelas
- Typical size
- 2-4 inches
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Found in ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers throughout much of North America. Anglers primarily use them as live bait for larger gamefish like bass, walleye, and northern pike. They're extremely hardy and can tolerate poor water conditions.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a fathead minnow through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksFathead Minnow questions people ask
Fathead Minnow is Pimephales promelas.
A typical fathead minnow runs 2-4 inches. Cobia records the length and weight of every fathead minnow you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers throughout much of North America. Anglers primarily use them as live bait for larger gamefish like bass, walleye, and northern pike. They're extremely hardy and can tolerate poor water conditions. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.