Freshwater · Best spring during spawning runs; year-round in lakes and sloughs

Hitch

Lavinia exilicauda

A deep-bodied, silvery California minnow with a small upturned mouth. Its spring spawning runs up Clear Lake tributaries are a celebrated and closely watched event — the Clear Lake form is of conservation concern, so check local protections and release these fish.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Hitch — Photo: USGS, Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Deep, strongly compressed silvery body — deeper than most California minnows
Small mouth turned clearly upward, built for surface feeding
Slender, narrow tail stalk (the name exilicauda means slender tail)
Large scales and a long-based anal fin
Clear Lake fish are of conservation concern — handle gently and release

Habits

Feeds on plankton, surface insects and small crustaceans in mid-water
Schools in open lake water and slow sloughs
Runs up Clear Lake tributaries in spring to spawn — a celebrated, watched seasonal event
Clear Lake form is of conservation concern; runs are monitored and protections may apply
Young fish shelter in tule margins and flooded shallows

Distribution

San Francisco, CA · California★ Primary

Where to find them

Clear Lake tributary mouths and lower creeks in spring
Clear Lake tule margins and docks
Slow Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta sloughs

Where they live

Clear Lake open water and tule marginsTributary creeks of Clear Lake in springSlow Delta sloughs and lower river backwaters

How to catch them

Small baits and flies on Clear Lake spawning runs River

Rig: Ultralight rod or fly rod, size 14-16 hook or small fly presented in Clear Lake tributaries during spring spawning runs

Bait/lure: Tiny worm pieces, small flies

Key tip: Watch the run rather than crowding it — Clear Lake hitch are of conservation concern, so fish gently, check protections and release all hitch.

Tiny hooks in slow Delta sloughs Lake

Rig: Ultralight float rig with a size 14-16 hook and micro bait in slow Delta sloughs — mostly an encounter while fishing for panfish

Bait/lure: Bread bits, tiny worm pieces

Key tip: Keep baits near the surface and mid-water, where hitch schools feed.

Best baits & lures

Tiny worm pieces on small hooksSmall dry and wet fliesBread and dough micro-baits

Techniques for Hitch →

Baseline setup

Rod: Ultralight 5-6 ft spinning rod or light fly rod
Line: 2-4 lb mono
Terminal: Size 14-16 hooks, small floats, small flies

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 8-12 in (20-30 cm); large fish to about 14 in (36 cm)

On the table

Poor — bony and soft; release, especially Clear Lake fish which are of conservation concern.

Similar species

Sacramento SplittailSplittail is more elongated with large scales and a hugely enlarged upper tail lobe; hitch is deeper-bodied with an upturned mouth and a slender tail stalk

Sacramento SuckerSucker is a bottom fish with a downturned, fleshy-lipped mouth under the head; hitch is a deep silvery mid-water fish with a small upturned mouth

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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