A fish species’ role in its ecosystem determines what it eats and how. This information is used by anglers to determine baits and lures used to pursue them. For example: Live animals are used for bait to catch fish that are predators. Fish, such as catfish, that scavenge both live and dead animals often are pursued with cut fish or clams. Review Unit #2: Fish Senses and Characteristics for more information about preferred baits and lures for certain species.

A lake, pond, or river, along with its watershed, makes up an ecosystem – a complex network of organisms (living things such as plants and animals), the relationships between them, and their surroundings. Green plants and algae are the producers in the aquatic ecosystem. They convert sunlight to usable energy by the process of photosynthesis and store it in their tissues as sugar. All other life in an ecosystem depends on the producers.

Microscopic organisms (zooplankton) and small invertebrates (animals without backbones) are the lowest level consumers (organisms that cannot produce their own food) in the ecosystem. They are referred to as herbivores because they eat plants and algae. Larger invertebrates and small fish feed on the herbivores. These carnivores (meat eaters) become food for larger fish. Carnivores that kill and eat live animals are referred to as predators and the animals they eat are known as prey.

The various feeding relationships in an ecosystem are depicted by a food web that links all the organisms in the ecosystem. The fish’s role in the ecosystem, as well as characteristics of the ecosystem, affect what baits and lures will be effective. The more you know about your target species and where it lives, the more successful you will be.