Freshwater · Spring and fall peaks in clear streams
Chinese Hook-snout Carp
Opsariichthys bidens
The ma-kou is the little silver arrow of Chinese hill streams — tiny, quick, and the fish that launched a thousand ultralight lure rods.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Small, slender silvery minnow of fast streams
- Strongly oblique, upturned mouth; breeding males develop a hooked, protruding lower jaw
- Large eye and a faint dark stripe along the side
- Breeding males flush blue-green and orange; normal fish are plain silver — identify on shape and the upturned mouth
Habits
- Lives in clear, fast mountain streams across East Asia
- Feeds on insects at the surface and in mid-water
- The emblematic fish of Chinese stream lure fishing
- Males defend pebble nests during the spring spawn
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Riffles and runs of clear upland streams
- Pool tails and eddy seams
- Under overhanging bankside cover
Where they live
How to catch them
Stream micro-lure fishing River
Rig: Ultralight rod, 2-4 lb line, tiny spoon or minnow worked across the current
Bait/lure: Micro spoons, small spinners, tiny minnow plugs
Key tip: Cast upstream and retrieve just faster than the current — hook-snouts slash at lures crossing their lie.
Light fly fishing River
Rig: Short light fly rod or fine float rod, small nymphs and dries
Bait/lure: Small nymphs, dry flies, tiny worm pieces
Key tip: Work pool tails and seams at first light, when the fish rise freely.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Ultralight spinning rod or 2-3 wt fly rod
- Line: 2-4 lb mono
- Terminal: Micro spoons, tiny spinners, 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 3-5 in; large fish to about 8 in
On the table
Minor — a small stream fish, valued far more by lure anglers than by the table.
Similar species
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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