Identification
The body is olive above and brassy yellow to dull silver along the sides. A small mouth lies below the projecting snout, and barbels are absent. Research separating it from Plains Minnow found eye size and eye position especially useful; color alone is insufficient.
Size and Weight
A western Canadian report documents a 12 cm fork-length specimen, around 4.7 inches. Fork length ends at the tail’s notch. This exceeds the 9.7 cm total-length maximum in an older summary even though fork length is a shorter measurement convention. No dependable maximum individual weight was verified.
Habitat and Natural Food
Quiet streams, vegetated ponds and headwater lakes provide habitat. Food is mainly algae, supplemented by some aquatic insects and crustaceans. Studies of lower Fraser Valley populations also show that water conditions and interactions with introduced fishes can influence where this minnow persists.
Reproduction and Observation
Adhesive eggs are released over shallow vegetation in repeated spawning events. Regional timing varies, and a second autumn period has been observed in the lower Fraser Valley. A species-specific recreational bait recommendation was not established.
A Small Link in the Food Web
By consuming algae, Brassy Minnow uses food that larger fish predators generally cannot exploit directly. Where the minnow is abundant, it can pass that energy onward through the food web. Its unshowy feeding role is part of its ecological importance.
All Lakes With Brassy Minnow
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Brassy Minnow 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 89 lakes · Page 1 of 4
- Anderson Reservoir Blaine, MT
- Andrusia Lake Beltrami, MN
- Armstrong Lake St. Louis, MN
- Beatty Lake Sibley, MN
- Big Stone Lake Big Stone, MN
- Big Swan Lake Todd, MN
- Blackhoof Lake Crow Wing, MN
- Bright Lake Martin, MN
- Cass Lake Cass, MN
- Clawitter Reservoir Chouteau, MT
- Comfort Lake Chisago, MN
- Cow Creek Reservoir Blaine, MT
- Current Reservoir Phillips, MT
- Deer Lake Itasca, MN
- Deer Lake Itasca, MN
- Dunbar Pond Blaine, MT
- Eagle Lake Crow Wing, MN
- Eikala Lake Lake, MN
- Elbow Lake Becker, MN
- Elk Lake Sherburne, MN
- Faber Reservoir Blaine, MT
- Fish Trap Lake Morrison, MN
- Fort Peck Lake Valley, MT
- Freezeout Lake Teton, MT