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White Sucker

White Sucker

White Sucker in Colorado are a highly adaptable freshwater species native to the eastern slopes and later introduced to western slopes.

They're robust fish with torpedo-shaped bodies featuring olive brown to black coloration with white undersides and distinctive fleshy sucker mouths covered in taste buds.

Scientific Name: Catostomus commersonii

Physical Characteristics:
  • Torpedo-shaped bodies averaging 12-20 inches and 2-6 pounds, featuring olive brown to black coloration with white undersides and distinctive fleshy sucker mouths covered in taste buds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Colorado populations inhabit cool, clear rivers, streams, and lakes.
  • They're found in pools with slow to moderate currents, often seeking cover near rocks, logs, fallen trees, and undercut banks.

Key Locations

  • In Colorado, they're distributed across 29 HUCs including major drainages like the Colorado Headwaters, Gunnison, Rio Grande, and San Juan systems.

Specific Spots

  • Target them in shallow waters near inlets where currents empty into streams, around waterfalls, dams, and overflows where they congregate during migrations.
  • Focus on deeper pools with cover like logs, brush, rocks, and vegetation, particularly in areas with slow to moderate currents around 15 cm/sec.
  • Fish near gravel substrates and rocky areas where they scrape algae.

White Sucker FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Sucker in Colorado?

Garden worms, nightcrawlers, pack bait (softened grains formed into dough around sinkers).

What flies work for White Sucker in Colorado?

Egg patterns - a size 16 'eggstacy' fly in 'sweetcorn' color is highly effective. Fly patterns should sink quickly to reach bottom-feeding zones; use larger flies in turbid waters and smaller ones in clear conditions.

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

Spring (April-May) offers the best fishing. Maximum growth occurs June through August, and they remain active feeders throughout the year.

How do you catch White Sucker in Colorado?

Present baits on or near bottom where they naturally feed, maintaining tight line control as takes often occur immediately when bait hits water. Pack bait (softened grains formed into dough around sinkers) works well, dissolving in water to attract fish to feeding areas.

What do White Sucker eat?

They're bottom feeders consuming detritus, insects, chironomid larvae, aquatic invertebrates, algae, small fish, and fish e.g.gs.

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Colorado licenses and regulations

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