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The Blacknose Shiner

Blacknose Shiner is a silvery schooling fish of clear waters with aquatic plants. Its dark stripe reaches the snout but leaves the tip of the chin unmarked, an important distinction from Blackchin Shiner.

Blacknose Shiner fishing guide

Identification

Gray-green upper parts, a silvery underside and clear fins give this minnow a restrained appearance. Small dark patches occur within the side stripe. Examine the chin carefully: a dark snout stripe alone cannot distinguish it from every similar shiner.

Size and Weight

The reported maximum total length is 10.1 cm, about 4 inches, and the published maximum weight is 3.18 g, about 0.11 ounces. Those are separate reported limits. Typical adults are smaller, often only 4.4–6.9 cm long and around 1–2 g.

Habitat and Natural Food

Aquatic plants provide the setting for schooling and feeding in clear lakes and quiet stream pools. Small insects and crustaceans are documented foods; broader accounts also classify it as consuming plant material. Increased turbidity and the loss of submerged vegetation have contributed to regional declines.

Spawning and Observation

Spawning occurs in summer, with eggs deposited among vegetation and no parental guarding. Conservation status varies across its range, so a species widespread in one region may be scarce in another. No species-specific recreational bait recommendation is established for this small shiner.

A Tiny Mark That Separates Similar Shiners

Blacknose and Blackchin Shiners can look much alike at first glance. Checking whether pigment reaches the tip of the lower jaw offers a useful distinction when supported by the rest of the fish’s features.

All Lakes With Blacknose Shiner

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Blacknose 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 954 lakes · Page 1 of 40

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