Grass shrimp, also known as ghost shrimp or glass shrimp, are a popular type of freshwater shrimp found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams across North America. Though small in size, averaging 1-2 inches, grass shrimp make excellent live bait for catching bigger game fish like bass, trout, and panfish. Their transparency makes them nearly invisible underwater, which is why learning how to catch grass shrimp takes some special techniques and equipment.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know as a beginner to successfully catch grass shrimp on your next fishing trip.
The Best Places to Find Grass Shrimp
Grass shrimp thrive among aquatic vegetation in shallow, slow-moving fresh waters. The best places to find them are
- Shallow coves and inlets with lots of grasses, weeds or lilypads
- Slow moving creeks, especially near grassy banks or overhanging trees
- Shallow areas of lakes and ponds with abundant vegetation
- Backwaters of rivers with submerged logs, branches or other structure
Grass shrimp prefer cooler water temperatures so look for areas with shade and structure that block sunlight. Underwater vegetation like hydrilla, eelgrass and milfoil provide both food and shelter. Focus your search in 1-4 feet of water near plentiful grasses.
When to Catch Grass Shrimp
The best time to catch grass shrimp is during the warmer months when they are most active. Late spring through summer is prime time Ideal water temperatures for grass shrimp activity are 65-85°F.
Early morning and nighttime are often best. Grass shrimp feed more actively in low light conditions and are easier to spot with a flashlight or headlamp. Afternoon warmth sends them hunkering down under cover.
Equipment for Catching Grass Shrimp
Catching these elusive critters requires some specialized gear:
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Dip net – Use a fine mesh net with 1/8″ holes or less. A long handle allows you to sweep through vegetation.
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Cast net – A 5-7 foot radius net with 1/4″ mesh works well for tossing over grass beds.
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Shrimp trap – Collapsible wire traps with entry funnels and bait holders are very effective (check local regulations).
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Headlamp or flashlight – For night fishing, a bright waterproof light helps spot shrimp.
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Cooler and ice – Keeps your shrimp alive and lively for great bait. Line with newspaper or eelgrass.
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Small hooks or jigs – #6-10 baitholder hooks fished on light line let you actively catch shrimp.
Techniques for Catching Grass Shrimp
There are several productive methods to harvest grass shrimp depending on conditions:
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Seining – Drag a small mesh seine net through shallows and vegetation. Works best with two people.
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Trapping – Bait traps with fish pellets or dog food and leave overnight in productive areas.
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Cast netting – Toss a cast net over grass beds you see shrimp jumping in. Takes practice.
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Dip netting – Sweep a dip net through grasses when you spot shrimp moving around.
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Jigging – Tie a #8 baitholder hook above a 1/16 oz jig and catch shrimp actively.
Using Grass Shrimp for Bait
Grass shrimp really shine when used alive on hooks or jigs to catch bigger gamefish:
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Trout – Spear a shrimp through the tail and fish under a float or small bobber.
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Bass – Thread the shrimp onto a 1/0 live bait hook and fish around structure.
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Panfish – Tip a small jig with a piece of shrimp and cast around lilypads.
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Catfish – Cut shrimp into chunks or tip a treble hook with shrimp.
The movement of a live shrimp is irresistible to predatory fish. Follow local regulations for legal bait use.
Keeping Grass Shrimp Alive
Grass shrimp are delicate and require some special care to keep alive:
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Store in a cooler with ice to stay below 65°F – don’t freeze them!
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Line the cooler with damp newspaper or eelgrass to retain humidity.
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Don’t overcrowd – shrimp need room to move around a bit.
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Refresh ice as needed – melted water may need draining.
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Aerators help provide oxygen but may damage shrimp from bubbles.
Treated properly, grass shrimp can live for several days stored in a cooler before needing to replace them.
Catching Your Own Grass Shrimp Bait
As you can see, grass shrimp make phenomenal bait for big gamefish but can be delicate to store and buy at bait shops. Catching your own is a fun way to guarantee quality bait on hand for fishing. Follow this guide to get started finding and catching grass shrimp near you. Once you learn the tricks, it’s easy to stock up on these amazing live baits!
How To Catch Grass Shrimp!!
How to catch fresh water grass shrimp?
You can learn how to catch fresh water grass shrimp in a few steps. Know where to look. Grass shrimp are sensitive to heat and changes in temperature and tend to congregate in shady areas. You can find them near aquatic plants and near submerged or sunken objects like docks, fences or pipes.
Do you need a dip net for grass shrimp?
Leonard Kleinpeter stresses that a proper dip net is needed to effectively catch grass shrimp from their preferred habitat, dense beds of coontail and other aquatic plants. Store-bought nets with their deep floppy mesh material and flimsy handles just won’t cut it. He makes his own net by stretching metal window screen across a dip net frame.
What is grass shrimp?
Grass shrimp, or Palaemonetes, are a genus of freshwater and brackish water shrimp commonly found living among plants such as hydrilla and eelgrass. They make excellent live bait, especially for larger game fish. You can learn how to catch fresh water grass shrimp in a few steps. Know where to look.
What do grass shrimp eat?
Grass shrimps are omnivore scavengers that will feed on practically anything they find. In nature, they typically eat algae, fish waste, and biofilm. However, since our tanks are clean most of the time, it’s important to fortify their diet. A nutritious diet helps in extending their lifespan and easy molting.