Several types of shrimp can work well as freshwater fishing bait.
Live freshwater shrimp caught from the body of water you’re fishing in are excellent bait for species like bass, panfish, trout, and more.
They closely resemble the natural prey these fish are accustomed to eating.
Saltwater shrimp can also produce bites when fishing for catfish, carp, and bullheads when used dead.
The shrimp should be raw and with the shell removed.
Matching the Right Shrimp to Your Target Species
Not all shrimp will work equally well for every species. Smaller bluegills prefer bite-sized pieces of shrimp due to their tiny mouths.
Larger catfish are often caught with extra large saltwater shrimp-like jumbo shrimp.

The size of the bait should match the size of the fish’s mouth, and the type of shrimp should match their typical diet.
Extra large shrimp help tempt trophy catfish. Remember to scale shrimp size relative to the fish you are trying to catch.
Right-sized shrimp look vulnerable and manageable to different predators.
Lively shrimp trigger aggressive instinctual feeding behaviors compared to dead alternatives.
Do your research on the species you’re after.
This is how you do it…
Most shrimp hide near vegetation and structures, so seeing one isolated and unaware will trigger predatory reflexes.
You can catch your own shrimp with small bait traps placed along mud or sand bottoms close to shore.
Thread shrimp onto the hook carefully to keep it lively and attractive during casting.

Let shrimp sink near the bottom for catfish or under a bobber for panfish.
If using dead shrimp, consider adding bait attractants or making a burley trail to draw bottom feeders from far away.
Set the hook fast once your line starts to move.
Making Dead Shrimp Appealing
Since catfish feed primarily by scent, enhancing store-bought dead shrimp can get more bites.
Letting it soak in a mixture like Premo’s Shrimp Sauce gives off a strong smell and flavor fish key in on.
Dip bait shrimp in the sauce and place on bottom rigs to draw in whiskered fish from a distance. Cut larger shrimp into smaller chunks if needed.
Tactics for Targeting Different Species
Shrimp can catch a wide variety of species, but tactics should be tailored to fish habits.
For trout, small cooked shrimp on light jigs or hooks fished under a float works well.
Suspending the bait higher in the water column matches their feeding position.
For bottom dwellers like bullheads, use raw shrimp on the bottom.

Consider habitat, feeding behavior, and other aspects. Matching your approach to the target species will result in more success.
From live shrimp for panfish to extra smelly shrimp for cats, putting shrimp in front of the right fish is a great way to get bit.
Beginner Questions Answered
What Freshwater Fish Eat Shrimp?
Many freshwater fish species, including bass, catfish, carp, bluegills, trout, and panfish, will readily consume shrimp.
Using shrimp as bait takes advantage of the natural food chain and feeding behaviors of game fish in freshwater lakes and rivers.
What Fish Won’t Bite Shrimp Bait?
While shrimp bait works very well for many species, fish that prefer vegetation and smaller insects likely won’t go for shrimp.
Examples include perch and sunfish, which aren’t always large enough to consume whole shrimp.
Predatory fish that expect larger, lively meals may ignore shrimp as well. Pike and muskie would be better targeted using bait fish or large artificial lures.
Using Saltwater Shrimp in Freshwater?
While live freshwater shrimp is best, frozen raw saltwater shrimp can produce good results for carp, catfish, and some panfish when fished on or near the bottom structure.
Just realize that saltwater shrimp will likely be ignored by species preferring live bait like bass, pickerel, trout, and walleye in most situations.
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