baitfish

noun

bait·​fish ˈbāt-ˌfish 

: a small fish (such as a golden shiner or menhaden) that attracts and is a food source for a larger game fish

also : a fish used for bait

Examples of baitfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And though extreme rainfall may help attract baitfish closer to shore, the influx of fresh water lowers salinity levels, driving some shark species away. — Sam Nichols, Scientific American, 8 July 2026

As temperatures rise, nutrient-rich waters become less productive, affecting plankton that support baitfish such as anchovies, sardines and other forage species. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026

The white color or a blue finish looks the most like baitfish, according to Henderson. — Tom Opre, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026

Temperature gradients, baitfish movements, currents shifting like slow conveyor belts of energy. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for baitfish

• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish
• kingfish
• offish
• redfish