Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)

The golden shiner is a freshwater fish in the carp / minnow family, Cyprinidae, and the Notemigonus genus. It is the only member of the Notemigonus genus which means angled back, referring to its humped back. Crysoleucas refers to the gold (cryso) and white (leuc) coloration of the fish.

Where to Find Golden Shiner

The golden shiner is native to much of the United States extending eastward from the westward limits of North Dakota down to Texas. They can also be found in many places by acts of mankind, from being stocked in impoundments as a prey fish to being released just about anywhere by a fisherman dumping their live bait bucket.

Golden shiners are adaptable in what and where they eat but looking around aquatic vegetation with small insects is a good place to start. They can be found throughout the water column but topwater to about 2 feet down on a warm day with insect activity is a common place to encounter them.

Other Names for Golden Shiner

Other names people have used to refer to this fish include shiner, pond shiner, and Arkansas shiner.

When to Fish for Golden Shiner

Golden shiners can be fished for all year long, even taken through the ice. Their activity generally overlaps with other common panfish found in similar waters.

What Tackle for Golden Shiner

Golden shiners will hit both bait and lures. The largest golden shiners can be caught on lures as big as crappie jigs. The average to small size can be taken on bluegill lures and small trout flies.

The largest you would want to go for hook size is about a size 8 hook. Size 12 to 10 hooks can catch the largest sizes down to about 5 inches or so. The smallest of golden shiners can be caught using fly hooks smaller than size 12.

Cooking and Eating Golden Shiner

While not traditionally regarded as an eating fish, those who have tried it have few negative things to say about it as table fare. The golden shiner provides unoffensive, white meat that is firm enough to fillet. Due to its generally small size, the most efficient way to cook it is to fry it whole but filleting and then frying is also an option.

Golden Shiner as Bait

Golden shiners are commonly sold in bait & tackle stores as live bait to target predators like bass and pike. They can also be used as cutbait or dead bait when targeting other fish like catfish or bowfin.