Largescale Sucker

Habitat Distribution

• Native to western Canada — found throughout most of British Columbia and into southern Alberta, including the Peace River and Smoky River drainages.
• In BC, present across the Pacific slope from the Nass River south through the Fraser, Thompson, Columbia, and Kootenai systems.
• Primarily a river fish, living in pools and runs of medium to large rivers; also found in connected lakes.
• During summer, fish in large systems will move downstream into estuaries and tidal sloughs.

Key Locations

• Fraser River system, BC — large mainstem and tributary rivers hold good populations, especially where salmon runs concentrate fish.
• Thompson River, BC — a classic salmon river where largescale suckers are a common bycatch in pools and slower runs.
• Kootenai and Columbia River drainages, BC — native range with fish present in both rivers and connected lakes.
• Peace River drainage, BC/AB — the northeastern edge of the species' Canadian range, including the Smoky River in Alberta.
• Nass River, BC — northern extent of the Pacific slope range in Canada.

Specific Spots

• Slow, shallow runs and pools in large rivers — anywhere current drops and sediment settles, giving the fish a place to root along the bottom.
• Sloughs and backwater channels off the main river, especially in summer when fish spread out of the main current.
• Gravel riffles and tailouts during the spawn — fish stack up in these areas in large numbers.
• Anywhere salmon are present: largescale suckers follow salmon runs to feed on loose eggs drifting through the gravel.