Golden Redhorse
Golden redhorse are a native sucker found in Ontario and Manitoba, living in rivers and streams that still have clean gravel and decent current.
They're underrated as a target species — capable of reaching 20 inches, they pull hard on light tackle and are genuinely beautiful fish.
Spring spawning runs concentrate them in predictable spots, making them accessible to shore anglers across southern Ontario.
Scientific Name: Moxostoma erythrurum
Also known as chevalier doré, redhorse sucker, red tail
- Olive-gold to brassy sides with a pale belly; fins are slate to pale yellow — no red in the tail, which separates it from river and shorthead redhorse.
- Lips are fleshy and subterminal (underslung), with continuous ridges not broken into papillae — a key ID feature when held in hand.
- Dorsal fin outer margin curves slightly inward; 12–13 rays. Lateral line runs 39–42 scales.
- Typical fish run 12–18 inches; a 20-inch golden redhorse is a legitimate big one.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Ontario and Manitoba — the Canadian range sits within the Great Lakes basin (excluding Lake Superior) and Lake of the Woods drainage.
- Prefers pools, runs, and riffles in creeks and small to large rivers with mixed substrates — gravel, rock, and sand — and moderate current.
- More tolerant of larger, slightly turbid rivers than closely related species like the black redhorse, but still needs reasonably clean water; continuous heavy siltation or industrial pollution will push them out.
- Rated uncommon in Ontario (provincial rank S4); present but not abundant, so finding good habitat matters.
Key Locations
- Southern Ontario river systems within the Great Lakes basin — particularly rivers with intact gravel riffles and moderate gradients in the lower Great Lakes watersheds.
- Lake of the Woods drainage in northwestern Ontario and adjacent Manitoba supports populations at the western edge of the Canadian range.
- Smaller tributary streams feeding larger Ontario rivers are the most reliable spring spawning-run locations, drawing fish from the main stem into accessible shallows.
Specific Spots
- Current-edge breaks and the reverse-flow side of large eddies — golden redhorse hold where they can feed without fighting the full current.
- Pools with firm gravel or rocky bottoms adjacent to riffles; they feed along the bottom where invertebrates concentrate in the substrate.
- During spring spawning runs, shallow gravel riffles in smaller tributary streams draw fish in numbers — this is the most reliable window to find them stacked up.
- Slightly murky water with some flow tends to fish better than crystal-clear, low-flow conditions.
Golden Redhorse FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Golden Redhorse?
Worms are the standard bait across Ontario, use pieces rather than whole worms, thread the hook through at least twice, and bury the point. Fresh nightcrawlers or garden worms both work.
When is the best time to fish for Golden Redhorse?
Spring (roughly late April through June) is the prime window, spawning runs concentrate fish in predictable spots and produce the highest catch rates of the year.
How do you catch Golden Redhorse?
Most Ontario anglers target golden redhorse from shore during spring spawning runs, when fish stack up in shallow gravel riffles and current breaks.
What do Golden Redhorse eat?
Bottom feeders that work through aquatic insect larvae (mayfly, caddisfly, midge), small mollusks, microcrustaceans, and algae, match this with small worm pieces or soft-plastic grubs fished right on the bottom.
Where do Golden Redhorse live?
Native to Ontario and Manitoba, the Canadian range sits within the Great Lakes basin (excluding Lake Superior) and Lake of the Woods drainage. Prefers pools, runs, and riffles in creeks and small to large rivers with mixed substrates, gravel, rock, and sand, and moderate current.
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