Common Shiner
Luxilus cornutus
The Common Shiner is a small, silvery freshwater minnow native to North America, often used as bait by anglers targeting larger game fish. It has a laterally compressed body with large scales and a distinctive silvery sheen.
Common Shiner at a glance
- Scientific name
- Luxilus cornutus
- Typical size
- 3-6 inches, less than 1 oz
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Common Shiners inhabit clear, cool streams and rivers with gravel or sandy bottoms, as well as lakes and ponds across much of eastern North America. They are often found in schools near the surface or mid-water column. Anglers typically collect them with seines or cast nets to use as live bait for bass, walleye, and other predatory fish.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a common shiner through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksCommon Shiner questions people ask
Common Shiner is Luxilus cornutus.
A typical common shiner runs 3-6 inches, less than 1 oz. Cobia records the length and weight of every common shiner you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Common Shiners inhabit clear, cool streams and rivers with gravel or sandy bottoms, as well as lakes and ponds across much of eastern North America. They are often found in schools near the surface or mid-water column. Anglers typically collect them with seines or cast nets to use as live bait for bass, walleye, and other predatory fish. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.