Freshwater · Spring to fall; best in summer
Golden Shiner
Notemigonus crysoleucas
The golden shiner is famous across Ontario and Quebec as live bait, but this deep, knife-thin golden fish takes a tiny hook itself. It is native in the east and introduced in parts of British Columbia, including the Vancouver and Fraser Valley area.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Deep, knife-thin golden body, laterally compressed
- Lateral line strongly decurved, dipping low on the flank
- Small, upturned mouth with no barbel
- Fleshy keel on the belly between pelvic fins and anal fin, without scales
- Anal fin long-based with 11-13 rays; olive-gold back, silvery-gold sides
Habits
- Schools in weedy lakes, ponds and slow water across Ontario and the east
- Feeds on plankton, insects and algae at mid-water
- Spawns in summer, scattering sticky eggs over vegetation
- One of North America's most widely used baitfishes
- Introduced and established locally in British Columbia waters
Distribution
Where to find them
- Weed edges in Ontario lakes and ponds
- Marshy bays and slow river backwaters
- Quiet vegetated shallows in introduced BC waters
Where they live
How to catch them
Tiny-hook bait fishing Lake
Rig: Ultralight rod, size 18-24 hook with a pea of bread dough under a micro float at weed edges
Bait/lure: Bread dough, maggots
Key tip: Fish the bait mid-depth beside weeds — golden shiners are shy, so keep movements quiet and hooks tiny.
Micro fly fishing Lake
Rig: Light fly rod, tiny dry flies and nymphs cast to cruising schools in quiet bays
Bait/lure: Tiny dry flies, small nymphs
Key tip: Cast ahead of a moving school and let the fly sit still; takes are gentle sips.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Ultralight 5-6 ft rod
- Line: 1-3 lb mono
- Terminal: Size 18-24 hooks, micro floats, tiny flies
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 3-5 in; large fish to about 8 in
On the table
Not eaten — too small; famous as live bait where legal, and a micro-fishing catch in its own right.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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