[3] In Canada, this species has been found only in the Winnipeg River system, including the Whitemouth watershed.

[2] The Manitoba populations are at the northwestern limit of the distribution, separated from the continuous range of the species by 450 km (280 mi).

Carmine shiners typically summer at midwater depths of clear, fast flowing streams and small rivers over clean gravel or rubble substrates.

This species may be threatened by activities that alter turbidity, flow and/or substrate such as channelization, impoundment, drainage that increases sediment loading, streambed gravel removal and shoreline development.

During the past century, impoundments that have increased turbidity and decreased riffle habitat may have caused a decline in the abundance of this fish in the Winnipeg River system.