The Goldeye has a wide distribution from the lower Mississippi River Drainage north to Arctic drainages in Canada. Construction of dams has greatly reduced the range of this migratory species in the Tennessee and Cumberland river drainages. They are found in open waters of medium to large rivers and tolerate turbidity. Goldeyes have a deep silvery body with a fleshy keel along their belly. As the common name suggests, Goldeyes have a golden iris.