Silver Redhorse

Body Type & Identification: Silver Redhorse is a member of the sucker family (Catostomidae) — characterized by a downturned, fleshy lips adapted for vacuuming invertebrates and algae from the stream bottom. Typically 12–20 inches and 1–4 lbs. Silver to olive with the characteristic red-orange fins of the redhorse group. An excellent sport fish on light tackle in clear northern rivers

Preferred Water Temperature: 55°F–70°F. A cool to warm-water bottom species most common in clear, clean rivers and streams. Suckers spawn in spring over gravel and rocky riffles — spawning runs can be spectacular and are an important early season food source for eagles and other predators.

Habitat: Found in clear rivers and streams of the Great Lakes drainage and upper Mississippi tributaries from Quebec to Minnesota and south to the Tennessee River. A moderately large redhorse found in clear, clean rivers with gravel and rocky bottom. More tolerant of slightly turbid conditions than some redhorse species. Found in both streams and large rivers throughout the Great Lakes watershed An important prey species for larger predators including Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and Striped Bass — large suckers are outstanding live bait.

Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificial lures. Occasionally caught on small jigs bounced near the bottom.

Best Baits: Nightcrawlers are the top bait. Small worm pieces work well. Fresh crayfish tails produce results. Small pieces of clam are effective. Light to medium bottom rigs with natural bait near current breaks in clear rivers.

Top 5 Destinations: Found throughout their respective river systems — suckers are widespread but seldom destination-fished. Spring spawning runs in clear Midwest and eastern rivers attract significant angler interest.

Silver Redhorse is a member of the sucker family (Catostomidae) — characterized by a downturned, fleshy lips adapted for vacuuming invertebrates and algae from the stream bottom. Typically 12–20 inches and 1–4 lbs. Silver to olive with the characteristic red-orange fins of the redhorse group. An excellent sport fish on light tackle in clear northern rivers

Found in clear rivers and streams of the Great Lakes drainage and upper Mississippi tributaries from Quebec to Minnesota and south to the Tennessee River. A moderately large redhorse found in clear, clean rivers with gravel and rocky bottom. More tolerant of slightly turbid conditions than some redhorse species. Found in both streams and large rivers throughout the Great Lakes watershed An important prey species for larger predators including Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and Striped Bass — large suckers are outstanding live bait.

55°F–70°F. A cool to warm-water bottom species most common in clear, clean rivers and streams. Suckers spawn in spring over gravel and rocky riffles — spawning runs can be spectacular and are an important early season food source for eagles and other predators.

Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificial lures. Occasionally caught on small jigs bounced near the bottom. Best Baits: Nightcrawlers are the top bait. Small worm pieces work well. Fresh crayfish tails produce results. Small pieces of clam are effective. Light to medium bottom rigs with natural bait near current breaks in clear rivers.

Found throughout their respective river systems — suckers are widespread but seldom destination-fished. Spring spawning runs in clear Midwest and eastern rivers attract significant angler interest.

1 official record on file for Silver Redhorse