Redside Shiner
Richardsonius balteatus
Redside Shiner is a small western North American minnow found in cool, clear streams, rivers, and lake margins. It often shows a rosy to red lateral stripe in breeding fish and feeds on insects, algae, and zooplankton.
Identification points
- Distinct red to pink stripe along the side, especially in breeding adults
- Silvery body with dusky olive back and a slim, minnow-like shape
- Small terminal mouth and a dark spot at the base of the dorsal fin
Habitat
Cool, clear freshwater streams, rivers, beaver ponds, and lake shallows, usually over gravel, sand, or cobble with moderate current and aquatic cover.
Bait notes
Takes tiny hooks with worms, insects, maggots, and dough or bread-like baits; small spinners, flies, and micro jigs can also work. It is mainly a baitfish and incidental catch rather than a primary game species.
Behavior
A schooling, diurnal forage fish that drifts and picks small invertebrates from the water column and surface. Spawning occurs in spring to early summer on gravel or cobble, often in riffles or shallow margins.
Caution
none notable
Fishing notes
Use ultralight tackle, small floats, and very small presentations in shallow runs, pool edges, and current seams. Light tippets and a slow retrieve or dead-drift usually outfish aggressive retrieves.