Golden Shiners are common throughout the United States, but are most often found east of the Mississippi River. While they live in a wide array of places, they prefer the calm, clear vegetated backwaters of lakes, rivers and ponds. They have a surprising tolerance for temperatures as high as 104° F, unusually high for a North American Minnow. Spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach about 70° F and ceases when temperatures exceed 80° F. If you are stocking your pond with Bass or Bluegill, Golden Shiners are a wonderful simultaneous addition for adding forage to your pond.