Identification
The head and terminal mouth are relatively large. A dark cape covers the upper body, with a dark side stripe and usually a tail-base spot. Numerous small scales line the flank, and larger males may develop red along the sides.
Northern Waters
The range crosses much of Canada and extends into parts of the northern United States. Soft-bottomed, sluggish waters near vegetation are characteristic. A northern stream record still benefits from specific information about pool habitat and bottom material.
Hybrid Biology
The species forms hybrid lineages with Northern Redbelly Dace. Published accounts describe female hybrid lineages reproducing in association with males of parental species. A mixed population should not be assigned a simple visual identity without considering that complexity. The eleven-centimeter maximum belongs to Finescale Dace itself.
Watch for Mixed Ancestry
Where both parent species occur, some dace can belong to hybrid lineages. Preserve identification uncertainty rather than forcing every fish into a parent species.
All Lakes With Finescale Dace
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Finescale Dace 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 135 lakes · Page 1 of 6
- Aitkin Lake Aitkin, MN
- Alger Lake Lake, MN
- Amelia Lake Pope, MN
- Assinika Lake Cook, MN
- Balsam Lake Lake, MN
- Bass Lake Kalkaska, MI
- Battle Lake Koochiching, MN
- Bean Lake Lake, MN
- Bear Lake Lake, MN
- Beast Lake St. Louis, MN
- Bee Cee Lake Itasca, MN
- Beetle Lake Lake, MN
- Bensen Lake Lake, MN
- Benson Lake Cook, MN
- Big Cormorant Lake Becker, MN
- Big Trout Lake Crow Wing, MN
- Birch Lake Cook, MN
- Blesener Lake Lake, MN
- Blue Eagle Lake Clay, MN
- Blue Lake Kalkaska, MI
- Bogus Lake Cook, MN
- Bone Lake Lake, MN
- Bottle Koochiching, MN
- Boys Lake Cook, MN