The Redfin Shiner is found throughout central North America from Texas to Ontario in the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and Mississippi River drainages, including the Tennessee and Cumberland river drainages. They live in a variety of substrates in pools of small creeks to medium. As the common name suggests, breeding male Redfin Shiners have bright red fins. Like other members of the genus Lythrurus, Redfin Shiners have small scales on their nape.