The goldeye inhabits most larger streams in western, southern, and southeast Iowa where it is considered uncommon. It is not found in north central or northeast Iowa except very rarely in the Mississippi River. Although this species is never numerous, it is not listed as threatened in the state because of its widespread distribution.

The goldeye has a deep, flattened body with a fleshy keel on the belly, but the scales are not serrated as in herrings. The body color ranges from dark blue to blue-green on the back with the sides silvery and the belly white. The iris of the eye is typically yellow to gold and there is an adipose eyelid present. The head is blunt and rounded with a large oblique mouth. Teeth are present in both jaws, roof of the mouth and on the tongue. There are 15 to 17 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first arch. Scales are cycloid with a complete lateral line containing 57 to 62 scales. The dorsal fin has 9 or 10 rays, and the anal fin has 29 to 34. The anal fin is sickle-shaped in mature males and concave in females. An axillary process is present near the base of the pelvic fin. The goldeye is a widely scattered fish species that prefers quiet backwaters or turbid areas of larger streams and muddy shallows of larger lakes. Goldeyes are quite tolerant of clay turbidity, but not of industrial pollutants. The fish spawn from May to July at 50 to 55 degrees F. Mature goldeyes move up tributary streams where spawning activity is random on gravel or firm bottom, usually in turbid water. The females deposit from 6,000 to 25,000 eggs that are .02 inch in diameter and semi-buoyant.

Goldeye attain up to 7 inches in the first year of life and reach l2 inches at maturity. Maximum size is about 14 to 16 inches.

Goldeye are mainly nocturnal feeders. The rods-only sight sensors in their eyes is very effective for seeing and foraging in the darkness of turbid water and at night. The fish are opportunistic foragers, consuming nearly any organism encountered from insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and fish to frogs and small mammals. The fish frequently forage on the surface in shallow water.

*Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp.