White Sucker
White Sucker are Connecticut's most abundant native fish of their size class, making up the majority of fish biomass in many Connecticut streams.
These native cypriniform fish occur in almost all but the smallest Connecticut streams where they are typically common to abundant, and are also found in most lakes with significant tributary streams.
Scientific Name: Catostomus commersonii
- These native cypriniform fish have streamlined, cylindrical bodies with distinctive downturned mouths featuring numerous small bumps (papillae) on their lower lips, which they use for bottom feeding.
- Adults commonly reach 6-18 inches, with Connecticut's state survey recording fish up to 23 inches.
- They display brown, greenish, or grayish coloration on their backs, fading to silvery sides and whitish bellies, with males developing dark lateral stripes during spawning season.
Fishing in Connecticut
Connecticut River
Farmington River
North Atlantic Ocean
Housatonic River
Naugatuck River
The Thimbles
Willimantic River
Westfield River
Paper Rock Shoal
Saugatuck River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They inhabit a wide range of water types from small streams to large rivers and lakes, preferring areas with pool-to-riffle ratios of 1:1.
Key Locations
- Connecticut waters like the Salmon River system and other streams with significant tributary networks are particularly productive.
- Spectacular upstream migrations observable at locations like the Leesville Dam and Fishway on the Salmon River in East Haddam where they congregate by the thousands.
Specific Spots
- Target areas with current breaks including eddies, deep pools behind logjams, slow water behind large rocks, and slack water areas.
- Focus on riffles and deeper holes below dams, overflows, and tributary inlets where fish congregate during migration periods.
White Sucker FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What flies work for White Sucker in Connecticut?
Sinking flies that imitate their natural food sources, including nymphs like the Ausable Ugly, San Juan Worms, Micro Stones, e.g.g patterns.
When is the best time to fish for White Sucker in Connecticut?
Early spring (March through early May) when they're actively feeding before and after their spawning runs, though they can be caught year-round except during the actual spawning period.
How do you catch White Sucker in Connecticut?
Bottom fishing is the primary technique - present baits on the bottom where suckers naturally feed. For fly fishing, practice sight fishing techniques - cast well upstream of visible fish, ensure flies reach bottom before reaching the fish, and maintain direct contact with your offering as takes often occur...
What do White Sucker eat?
As bottom feeders, they consume benthic organisms including chironomid larvae, fingernail clams, amphipods, gastropods, aquatic insects, fish e.g.gs, algae, and plant matter.
Where do White Sucker live in Connecticut?
They inhabit a wide range of water types from small streams to large rivers and lakes, preferring areas with pool-to-riffle ratios of 1:1.
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