Hardhead

Body Type & Identification: A large, robust minnow native to the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage of California. Olive to silver with a thick, heavy body and a distinctive hard, bony head. A bottom-dwelling species found in the same rivers as Sacramento Pikeminnow but preferring slower, deeper pools. The second-largest minnow native to California.

Preferred Water Temperature: 60°F–72°F. Found throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed in moderate current pools and slower runs. A benthic species that feeds on algae, invertebrates, and small fish near the bottom.

Habitat: Rivers and streams of the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage — endemic to California. Found in moderate to slow current reaches with rocky and gravel bottom. Less common than Sacramento Pikeminnow. An important indicator of healthy California river systems.

Best Lures: Small jigs near bottom produce catches. Small worms on light tackle work well.

Best Baits: Small nightcrawlers are effective. Small pieces of worm produce catches. Rarely specifically targeted — typically caught as bycatch when fishing for trout and other Sacramento River species.

Top 5 Destinations: Sacramento River CA, Pit River CA, McCloud River CA, Feather River CA, American River CA.

A large, robust minnow native to the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage of California. Olive to silver with a thick, heavy body and a distinctive hard, bony head. A bottom-dwelling species found in the same rivers as Sacramento Pikeminnow but preferring slower, deeper pools. The second-largest minnow native to California.

Rivers and streams of the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage — endemic to California. Found in moderate to slow current reaches with rocky and gravel bottom. Less common than Sacramento Pikeminnow. An important indicator of healthy California river systems.

60°F–72°F. Found throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed in moderate current pools and slower runs. A benthic species that feeds on algae, invertebrates, and small fish near the bottom.

Best Lures: Small jigs near bottom produce catches. Small worms on light tackle work well. Best Baits: Small nightcrawlers are effective. Small pieces of worm produce catches. Rarely specifically targeted — typically caught as bycatch when fishing for trout and other Sacramento River species.

Sacramento River CA, Pit River CA, McCloud River CA, Feather River CA, American River CA.