ID this minnow, what is it and is it legal to use

I made a post at another site and no replies so I thought I would ask here.

I caught a bunch of these minnows to crappie fish with but not 100% sure what they are. From searching I found a link with photo of a Eastern blacknose dace that looks just like mine, its the 2nd photo. 1st photo is the ones I caught. They have a orange/brownish strip, dark green back with blk spots, pointed head, and fins are pretty clear not orange.

Attachment 355309

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL161.../414296127.jpg

The first picture looks like a stickleback, but I cant be sure.

Yea, I was thinking stickleback also

Looks more like a Blacknose Dace than a Stickleback, to me. I've had Sticklebacks show up in my minnow purchases, several times, and always were a mottled brown color overall & no orange/reddish colors involved.

Perhaps the difference in the trapped fish & the aquarium fish coloration is simply due to environmental differences. :dono

I'd send the pics (or link to this thread) to the local DNR/F&W biologists & see if they can identify them.

If the Sticklebacks has sharp dorsal spines then its not a Stickleback, mine have soft dorsal fins.

Found this info on eastern blacknose dace , males lateral line turns orange.

The eastern blacknose dace is found across the southeast portion of Canada and down along the United States' east coast. It is dark brown to olive on its dorsal surface and silvery white below, the two shades separated by the darkly pigmented lateral line. In the breeding season, males develop darker pigmentation and an orange lateral line.

Second pic looks like a trout.

I'm gonna say the second fish then is an eastern blacknose dace. Thanks for the clarification.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trypman1

Second pic looks like a trout.

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Its a eastern blacknose dace I got the photo from this link
EASTERN BLACKNOSE DACE LIFE EXPECTANCY