Spring Lizards???

[Froggiemom]

Well I remember going fishing about a decade ago and my husband was begging for spring lizards. Which I didn't know anything about. He got a little bucket of them at the bait shop. Then he took one out and it was the cutest little thing I had every seen! It looked like a little dog face! Then he hooked it and through it out into the water! I was so mad!!! I then dumped over the bucket they were in and they all escaped.
He thought he had done it hahhahahha

Well I was just thinking about them and was wondering what they are really called. I haven't seen any in years. I'd sure like to have one of those cuties.

Does anyone know anything about them?

[scribbles]

They are salamanders in the genus Desmognathus.

[Froggiemom]

I understand that, but is the given name of them? I have been looking at salamanders and haven't seen one that looks the same as the spring lizard I remember.

[Kurt]

Tiger salamanders are often used as bait. He is a picture of an adult barred tiger salamander, Ambystoma mavortium mavortium.

[Froggiemom]

He is so cute, but the one I remember is dark brown and the eyes didn't stick out from the head. They looked seriously like little puppy faces. So cute.

[Tom Highum]

I have heard that people used to use small Hellbenders

[Kurt]

Well there are several types of tiger salamander and there is a salamander called a mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus.

[SludgeMunkey]

Spring Lizard is a generic slang term used for just about any salamander used as fishing bait, especially in the South Eastern United States.

Just another reason to use scientific names rather than common names or local dialect.

[Froggiemom]

Awh well that would make sense. They could all be spring lizards! Well shoot! lol
I guess I will have to keep looking at pics to find the right one.
Thanks to everyone for the help.

[John]

Scribbles may be on to something - they could well be Desmognathus - those are common in that part of the country. Have a look here FroggieMom, there are many different kinds: Caudata.org - Member Galleries - Desmognathus

[Froggiemom]

Thanks for the list! I am going to look over the pics and see if I can find the one I am speaking of.
I will let you know if I find it.

Thanks again !