This cyprinid occupies the Great Plains states from Texas northward through North Dakota, and extends from Iowa westward through Wyoming. Plains minnows are distributed throughout the Missouri River drainage in Iowa, including the Big Sioux, Rock, Floyd, Little Sioux, Maple, Soldier, Boyer, Nishnabotna, Nodaway, Grand, and Chariton rivers.
Plains minnows have an elongate and slightly compressed body form.
The basioccipital process is peg-like in this species. Pharyngeal teeth have broad grinding surfaces and are arranged in a 4-4 pattern. The complete lateral line contains from 37 to 39 scales. Belly scales, found below the lateral line and ahead of the pelvic fin insertion, number from 14 to 20. The small eye has a diameter about 5 times the head length.