Notemigonus crysoleucas

How to identify a Golden Shiner

Golden Shiner are found in cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands

Where to catch Golden Shiner

• Farm ponds nationwide (US)
• St. Lawrence/Great Lakes
• Southern bayous (LA)

Golden Shiner by state

State season calendars that list Golden Shiner — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Indiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Michigan — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• New York — seasons, best months and licence info
• Ohio — seasons, best months and licence info
• Pennsylvania — seasons, best months and licence info
• Wisconsin — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Species-dependent · insects · worms · small fish · crustaceans · flies · or artificial lures where legal

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Golden Shiner:

• Common Shiner — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Emerald Shiner — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Rosyface Shiner — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Spotfin Shiner — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Yellowfin Shiner — identification & profile (Freshwater)