It is native to the eastern United States, where it can be found in a number of river systems that drain into the Atlantic.

[2] In general, the species has dark saddle marks and an incomplete lateral line.

[4] The breeding male, at least in some regions, has blue to blue-green coloration on the chin, the mouth, the bases of some of the fins, and the membrane connecting the bones around the gills.

[4] C. bairdi lacks the blue breeding coloration; its chin is blackish.

It can be found in the Elk, Susquehanna, Bush, Patapsco, Patuxent, Potomac, Nanticoke, James, and Roanoke river drainages.