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The Blackchin Shiner

Blackchin Shiner is a small schooling minnow of clear, plant-rich waters. Its dark side stripe continues onto the snout, while a black mark on the lower jaw gives the species its name.

Blackchin Shiner fishing guide

Identification

Look for a narrow dark stripe running along the body toward the snout and a black tip on the lower jaw. Large eyes and a silvery underside contrast with the yellow-brown back. Recent classifications use Miniellus heterodon; older records use Notropis heterodon.

Size and Weight

The reported maximum total length is 8.9 cm, about 3.5 inches. Adults are often considerably smaller. An Ontario account lists typical adult weights of 1–3 g, approximately 0.04–0.11 ounces; these are ordinary adult values, not a verified maximum weight.

Habitat and Natural Food

Clear shorelines with aquatic vegetation, glacial lakes and connected quiet streams provide suitable habitat. Small crustaceans and insect larvae form its diet. Suspended sediment and the loss of submerged plants can reduce the quality of these feeding and sheltering areas.

Spawning and Observation

Spawning takes place during the warmer months, with eggs associated with vegetation and no parental guarding. Schools can be difficult to identify from above because several minnows share a dark side stripe. A clear view of the chin is particularly useful. No species-specific hook-bait recommendation is established here.

Look Beneath the Snout

The chin mark is a small feature with considerable identification value. Combined with the long dark stripe and clear, weedy habitat, it helps separate this minnow from superficially similar schooling fishes.

All Lakes With Blackchin Shiner

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Blackchin Shiner records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

Showing 1–24 of 704 lakes · Page 1 of 30

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