The goldeye is dark-blue to blue-green on its back, with silvery or white sides. Its prominent eyes have bright yellow pupils and are specially adapted for dim, dark waters. The goldeye has a blunt head, sharp teeth and a deep, compressed body.

This species is found in all major rivers in Alberta and in Lake Athabasca and other lakes in the Athabasca Delta area. It prefers the quiet, slow-moving waters of large rivers and the muddy shallows of large lakes.

The goldeye spawns in the spring, probably in slow currents over gravelly or rocky lake and river bottoms. It is among the most mobile of Alberta's cool-water fishes, and is known to have travelled as far as 680 km (422 miles) on river migrations. Annual migrations of immature goldeye can exceed 1000 km (620 miles).

The goldeye feeds mostly on insects, snails and other fish. This species has the potential to be a good sport fish. When taken on light tackle with flies, the goldeye is as sporty as a trout.

BACK to 'FISH SPECIES'