Goldeye
The
goldeye,
Hiodon alosoides, is a species of fish in the mooneye family. It occurs from as far down the Mackenzie River as Aklavik in the north to Mississippi in the south, and from Alberta in the west to Ohio south of the Great Lakes, with an isolated population south of James Bay. It is notable for a conspicuous golden iris in the eyes. It prefers turbid slower-moving waters of lakes and rivers, where it feeds on insects, crustaceans, fish, frogs, shrews, and mice. The fish averages less than 1 lb or 12 in in length, but can be found up to 2 lbs or 16 in in some lakes. It has been reported up to 52 cm in length. The scientific name means shad-like toothed hyoid. It is also called Winnipeg goldeye, western goldeye, yellow herring, toothed herring, shad mooneye, la Queche, weepicheesis, or
laquaiche aux yeux d’or in French. The goldeye is considered a good fly-fishing fish, but not popular with most anglers because of its small size. It is one of 122 new species of animals, birds, fish documented by the Corps of Discovery. Commercial fishing of this species was reported as early as 1876.