Body Features
The body is compressed from side to side, with an upturned mouth and a dorsal fin set well back. A curved lateral line and unscaled keel between the pelvic and anal fins are important features. Gold or silver coloration alone is less reliable.
Quiet Water
The species occupies plant-rich ponds, lakes, swamps and quieter stream pools. It tolerates warm water and relatively low oxygen, and can occur under turbid conditions. These tolerances should not be interpreted as a requirement for poor water quality.
Feeding and Size
Plankton, insects and small mollusks appear in the diet. The published maximum is 32 centimeters total length, while a common reference is 14.4 centimeters. A measured side photograph is useful when comparing this relatively large minnow with smaller shiner species.
Look for the Curved Lateral Line
Body shape, the strongly curved lateral line and the belly keel provide better identification evidence than golden coloration alone.
All Lakes With Golden Shiner
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Golden 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 6,137 lakes · Page 1 of 256
- A W Dale Lake Montgomery, AL
- A. J. Jolly Lake Campbell, KY
- A1 Site Worcester, MA
- Aaron River Reservoir Norfolk, MA
- Abel Lake Cleburne, AL
- Aberdeen Lake Monroe, MS
- Abramson Lake Lauderdale, AL
- Accord Pond Plymouth, MA
- Acherman Pond Dale, AL
- Achunachi Lake DeKalb, AL
- Acock Pond (historical) Houston, AL
- Acorn Lake Becker, MN
- Acorn Lake Becker, MN
- Acton Lake Shelby, AL
- Acton Lake Shelby, AL
- Adams Lake Blount, AL
- Adams Lake Houston, AL
- Adams Lake Shelby, AL
- Adams Lake Isanti, MN
- Adams Millpond Barbour, AL
- Adams Pond Covington, AL
- Adams Pond Covington, AL
- Aderholds Lake Calhoun, AL
- Aderholts Lake Calhoun, AL