Skip to main content

Longnose Sucker

Longnose Sucker

The Longnose Sucker is a cylindrical bottom-dwelling fish with a distinctive snout that completely overhangs its ventrally-oriented mouth. In Colorado, they inhabit cold, clear streams and lakes, sometimes tolerating moderately warm and turbid waters.

Colorado represents the southern edge of their natural range, where they've been introduced to the upper Colorado River drainage.

Scientific Name: Catostomus catostomus

Physical Characteristics:
  • They're characterized by small scales covering their olive-brown to reddish-brown backs with light bellies, and males develop a distinctive red lateral stripe and white tubercles on fins during breeding season.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They prefer benthic zones of freshwater rivers and lakes.

Key Locations

  • In Colorado waters, they're found in locations including the Colorado River drainage, Arkansas River, Gunnison River system including Blue Mesa Reservoir, Rio Grande drainage, and various reservoirs like Lake Granby.
  • Fish the Colorado River system between Rocky Mountain National Park and Rifle, the Arkansas River system, and various reservoirs.

Specific Spots

  • Target deeper pools and slower runs with boulder-rubble substrate or submerged woody debris, typically below riffles.
  • Focus on smaller rivers with decent current and river mouths.
  • Fish gravel-bottomed areas where they forage.

Longnose Sucker FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Longnose Sucker in Colorado?

Use weighted streamers in sizes 4-8, particularly conehead and beadhead patterns in black and brown colors.

When is the best time to fish for Longnose Sucker in Colorado?

Best fishing occurs in spring when they're actively feeding post-winter, and during pre-spawn periods in early spring. Avoid fishing during April-July spawning periods when they concentrate in shallow gravel areas for reproduction.

How do you catch Longnose Sucker in Colorado?

Let them rest stationary on the bottom and maintain tight line tension to detect subtle takes. Set the hook immediately as they quickly spit out artificial offerings.

What do Longnose Sucker eat?

Their diet consists primarily of benthic invertebrates including midge larvae, aquatic insects, small crustaceans, algae, fish e.g.gs, and occasionally aquatic plants. They're omnivorous bottom feeders that use their papillated lips to suction food from substrate.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Longnose Sucker.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Longnose Sucker water

    Pick Longnose Sucker and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Longnose Sucker

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Longnose Sucker are.

Open the map, filter by Longnose Sucker, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Colorado licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.