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How to catch Eurasian minnow

Phoxinus phoxinus (Linnaeus, 1758)

About Eurasian minnow fishing

The Eurasian minnow is a small freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, featuring an elongated body shape with a typical length around seven centimetres and a maximum total length of fourteen centimetres. It displays a brownish-green back separated from a whitish-gray underside by a series of vertical blotches or a distinct midlateral stripe. This gregarious species inhabits cool, well-oxygenated streams, rivers, and oligotrophic lakes across Europe, often swimming in large shoals near the bottom or around rocky margins. It feeds primarily on algae, plant debris, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic insect larvae, and undertakes short upstream spawning migrations into shallow gravel areas during the warmer months.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    7 cm TL

  • Habitat

    Freshwater, Brackish

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

  • Also known as

    Common minnow, European minnow, Italian minnow, Minnow, Zaisan minnow

Eurasian minnow

Caudal shape

Forked caudal fin helps identify the species swimming in swift waters.

Horizontal stripes

Midlateral row of vertically elongated blotches fusing into a stripe identifies Phoxinus phoxinus.

Eurasian minnow fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    7 cm TL (max 14 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    0.2 kg (max 0 kg )

  • Longevity

    11 years

  • Body shape

    Elongated

  • Vulnerability score

    24.2

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Low

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Peak

  • Midday

    High sun

    Active

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Peak

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Low

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Eurasian minnow

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Eurasian minnow

Tips for catching Eurasian minnow

Anglers target this gregarious species during daylight hours in warmer months when sunshine stimulates active feeding shoals near the margins of clear streams and lakes. Float fishing with a light line, a tiny hook, and small sections of worms or maggots near the bottom yields consistent catches, especially when loose feeding breadcrumbs to arouse competitive feeding behavior. Presentation must be delicate and precise in shallow waters where these fish hold against moderate currents, and fine tackle ensures successful hookups from such diminutive quarry.

Other names for Eurasian minnow

Local and alternate names anglers use for Eurasian minnow.

  • Eurasian minnow
  • Zaisan minnow
  • Minnow
  • Italian minnow
  • European minnow
  • Common minnow

Best equipment to catch Eurasian minnow

Compare fishing methods for Eurasian minnow — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Eurasian minnow

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Eurasian minnow migrates — Potamodromous

Migrates within rivers and lakes only. Fish upstream runs and seasonal lake movements, not saltwater.

How Eurasian minnow migrates — Potamodromous 1. Eggs: Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows. 2. Larvae: Fry drift or swim down to slower water. 3. Adults: Feed in the main river or lake. 4. Spawners: Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.
Upstream Main river or lake

1 Eggs

Upstream

Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows.

2 Larvae

→ Main river or lake

Fry drift or swim down to slower water.

3 Adults

Main river or lake

Feed in the main river or lake.

4 Spawners

→ Upstream

Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.

The whole cycle stays in fresh water.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Eurasian minnow

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Feeds by

    Mixed feeder

  • Hunts

    Morning · Afternoon

  • Main prey

    Bottom prey · Baitfish

  • Used as bait

    Yes

Prey and predators of Eurasian minnow

Prey is what Eurasian minnow eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Predators

What hunts it

Where Eurasian minnow lives

Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.

Habitats
Freshwater, Brackish
Depth zone
Depth not recorded
Water column
Demersal
On or near the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Eurasian minnow

Mapped fishing spots where Eurasian minnow is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

River Wear

County DurhamEnglandUnited Kingdom

Penkiln Burn

Dumfries and GallowayAlba / ScotlandUnited Kingdom

North Calder Water

North LanarkshireAlba / ScotlandUnited Kingdom