Spotted Sucker
The Spotted Sucker is a medium-sized catostomid found throughout Arkansas in all major river drainages.
These distinctive fish are easily identified by 8-12 parallel rows of dark spots on the base of each scale, creating a striped appearance along their silver to bronze sides.
These bottom feeders are excellent water quality indicators - their presence signals clean, unpolluted water as they're highly sensitive to siltation and turbidity.
Scientific Name: Minytrema melanops
- Adults typically measure 12-20 inches and weigh 1-3 pounds, with the Arkansas state record being 4 pounds, 6 ounces.
- Easily identified by 8-12 parallel rows of dark spots on the base of each scale, creating a striped appearance along their silver to bronze sides.
Fishing in Arkansas
Lake Conway
Arkansas River
Fourche LaFave River
Bayou Meto
Greers Ferry Lake
Lake Dardanelle
Petit Jean River
Little Red River
Saline River
Lake Ouachita
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found throughout Arkansas in all major river drainages.
Key Locations
- Arkansas, White, Mississippi, Black, Little Red, and Spring rivers, plus tributaries like the Saline River system near Benton.
- Arkansas River system, Saline River divisions near Benton, and spring-fed tributaries throughout the state.
- Arkansas state record from Big Hill Creek.
Specific Spots
- Prefer long, deep pools of small to medium rivers over clay, sand, or gravel substrates, but also frequent backwaters, oxbows, reservoirs, and spring-fed creeks.
- Focus on deep pools, backwaters, and areas with moderate current over sand, gravel, or clay bottoms.
Spotted Sucker FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Sucker in Arkansas?
Nightcrawlers are the top bait choice, but red worms, leeches, small crayfish, and minnows also work well.
What flies work for Spotted Sucker in Arkansas?
Weighted conehead and beadhead streamers in sizes 4-8, particularly in black and brown patterns. Wet flies in nymph and scud patterns, plus patterns imitating worms and fish e.g.gs.
When is the best time to fish for Spotted Sucker in Arkansas?
Best targeted outside their March-May spawning period, with spring being particularly productive. Spawning period (early March through early May) should be avoided for fishing to protect reproduction.
How do you catch Spotted Sucker in Arkansas?
Sight fishing with streamers - cast directly to individual fish, placing the fly a few inches ahead of their forward path and giving it action as they approach. Watch for the distinctive mouth extension when they suck up the fly and set the hook immediately. Allow movement that attracts feeding fish in shallow water.
What do Spotted Sucker eat?
Primarily consume organic fragments, copepods, cladocerans, chironomids, diatoms, and benthic invertebrates, with feeding activity peaking at dusk and dawn.
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