Western Silvery Minnow
The Western Silvery Minnow is a small prairie-stream cyprinid found in Canada only in the lower Milk River of Alberta and listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act.
It isn't a target species for anglers — its significance in Canada is almost entirely conservation-driven, as one of the rarest freshwater fish in the country.
- Overall very silvery body with a dusty or yellowish-olive back and white underside — the high-shine flanks are the quickest field mark.
- Distinguishable from the similar Plains Minnow by scale count: 11–17 scales across the belly between the lateral lines.
- Small cyprinid reaching roughly 7 inches at maximum; most Canadian specimens are considerably smaller.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- In Canada, confirmed only in the lower Milk River in southern Alberta — the northernmost reach of the Missouri River drainage.
- Native to large, warm prairie rivers and streams; in Alberta it occupies one of the most restricted ranges of any freshwater fish in the country.
- Prefers perennial prairie-river habitat with the slow, turbid, warm-water character typical of Great Plains stream systems.
Key Locations
- Lower Milk River, southern Alberta — the only confirmed Canadian location for this species.
Specific Spots
- In the Milk River, look for slower, deeper runs and pools where fine sediment accumulates — this fish feeds on algae and detritus along soft-bottomed stretches.
- Avoids fast, rocky riffles; concentrates in the calmer, warmer sections of the main channel and backwater areas.
Western Silvery Minnow FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
How do you catch Western Silvery Minnow?
This species is not a target for recreational angling in Canada. Its Threatened status under SARA means it is a protected species, and any incidental capture should be handled with care and released immediately.
What do Western Silvery Minnow eat?
Feeds primarily on algae, plant material, and detritus, its unusually long intestine is an adaptation for digesting low-nutrient plant matter rather than invertebrates or other fish.
Where do Western Silvery Minnow live?
In Canada, confirmed only in the lower Milk River in southern Alberta, the northernmost reach of the Missouri River drainage. Native to large, warm prairie rivers and streams; in Alberta it occupies one of the most restricted ranges of any freshwater fish in the country.
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