Description
Appearance
- Goldeye have a blunt head, with sharp teeth and a deep, compressed body.
- Its prominent eyes have bright yellow pupils and are specially adapted for dim, dark waters.
- Colour ranges from dark-blue to blue-green on its back, with silvery or white sides.
Distribution
- This species is found in all major rivers in Alberta and in Lake Athabasca and other lakes in the Athabasca Delta area.
- It is among the most mobile of Alberta's cool-water fishes. Annual migrations of mature goldeye can exceed 1000 kilometres (621 miles).
Natural History
Habitat
- Goldeye prefer the quiet, slow-moving waters of large rivers and the muddy shallows of large lakes.
Food
- This species feeds mostly on insects, snails and other fish
Reproduction and Growth
Breeding Behaviour
- Goldeye spawn in the spring, in slow currents over gravelly or rocky lake and river bottoms.
Conservation and Management
Status
Goldeye are classified as Secure in the current General Status of Alberta Wild Species report. See:
Current management
Fish Sustainability Index
Alberta's goldeye populations have been assessed under the Fish Sustainability Index, see:
Fishing
Goldeye are cool-water game fish subject to current Alberta sportfishing regulations. For details, see the My Wild Alberta website at:
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