Goldeye

Body Type & Identification: Silver with large, distinctive golden-yellow eyes and a strongly compressed, deep body. A member of the mooneye family — primitive freshwater fish related to herrings. The most commercially important freshwater fish in the Canadian prairie provinces — "smoked Goldeye" is a prized Manitoba delicacy. Also called "Winnipeg Goldeye."

Preferred Water Temperature: 60°F–72°F. Found in large, turbid rivers and lakes of the prairie provinces and upper Mississippi drainage. Forms large schools in open water. Active year-round — a winter fishing target in Canadian prairie lakes.

Habitat: Large, turbid rivers and lakes of the Hudson Bay drainage in Canada (particularly Manitoba and Saskatchewan) and the upper Mississippi drainage in the north-central US. Common in the Red River of the North and its tributaries. More abundant in Canada than the US. Smoked Goldeye is a beloved regional delicacy in Manitoba.

Best Lures: Small spinners work well. Small spoons produce consistent results. Small crankbaits in silver patterns are effective. Flies produce excellent results during surface feeding events.

Best Baits: Small live minnows are the top bait. Nightcrawler pieces work well. Small worms produce catches. Insect hatches trigger active surface feeding — fly fishing during hatches is outstanding. Light spinning tackle with small hooks and natural bait in large prairie rivers.

Top 5 Destinations: Red River of the North ND/MN, Lake Winnipeg Canada, Lake Manitoba Canada, Assiniboine River Canada, Saskatchewan River Canada.

Silver with large, distinctive golden-yellow eyes and a strongly compressed, deep body. A member of the mooneye family — primitive freshwater fish related to herrings. The most commercially important freshwater fish in the Canadian prairie provinces — "smoked Goldeye" is a prized Manitoba delicacy. Also called "Winnipeg Goldeye."

Large, turbid rivers and lakes of the Hudson Bay drainage in Canada (particularly Manitoba and Saskatchewan) and the upper Mississippi drainage in the north-central US. Common in the Red River of the North and its tributaries. More abundant in Canada than the US. Smoked Goldeye is a beloved regional delicacy in Manitoba.

60°F–72°F. Found in large, turbid rivers and lakes of the prairie provinces and upper Mississippi drainage. Forms large schools in open water. Active year-round — a winter fishing target in Canadian prairie lakes.

Best Lures: Small spinners work well. Small spoons produce consistent results. Small crankbaits in silver patterns are effective. Flies produce excellent results during surface feeding events. Best Baits: Small live minnows are the top bait. Nightcrawler pieces work well. Small worms produce catches. Insect hatches trigger active surface feeding — fly fishing during hatches is outstanding. Light spinning tackle with small hooks and natural bait in large prairie rivers.

2 fishing locations where you can catch Goldeye