Skip to main content

Northern Hogsucker

Northern Hogsucker

Northern Hogsucker is a native freshwater fish in Georgia, found primarily in the Conasauga River system in northern Georgia as part of the Coosa River drainage, as well as in the upper Chattahoochee and Upper Oconee watersheds.

Scientific Name: Hypentelium nigricans

Physical Characteristics:
  • This distinctive fish has a large rectangular head with prominent fleshy lips covered in small bumps (papillae), and a characteristic dark olive to bronze coloration with a pale belly.
  • They typically reach 10-17 inches in Alabama waters, with similar sizes expected in Georgia.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found primarily in the Conasauga River system in northern Georgia as part of the Coosa River drainage, as well as in the upper Chattahoochee and Upper Oconee watersheds.
  • Northern Hogsuckers inhabit clear, high-gradient streams with gravel, rock, and cobble substrates in moderate to swift currents.

Key Locations

  • In Georgia, focus efforts on the Conasauga River system in the northwest part of the state, though they may also be present in some Chattahoochee and Oconee River tributaries.

Specific Spots

  • Target riffle areas and rocky runs in clear creeks and small rivers where they're most commonly found.
  • Spawning occurs in shallow gravel riffles.

Northern Hogsucker FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Northern Hogsucker in Georgia?

Live bait is the most effective method, particularly red worms or nightcrawlers on small hooks. They can occasionally be caught on small artificial lures like Mini Trout Magnets.

What flies work for Northern Hogsucker in Georgia?

They can occasionally be caught on flies such as hare's ear nymphs, but this requires extremely precise placement.

When is the best time to fish for Northern Hogsucker in Georgia?

The best fishing times are outside of their March-April spawning period, with fall through early winter potentially productive when they're feeding actively before spawning season. During spawning period in March and April, anglers should avoid targeting them to protect breeding populations.

How do you catch Northern Hogsucker in Georgia?

The key is precise presentation - cast upstream and drift your bait naturally with the current to get it directly in front of or under the fish. Anchoring bait lightly on the bottom with minimal weight is more effective than free-drifting.

What do Northern Hogsucker eat?

They're primarily benthic feeders with a specialized diet consisting of aquatic insect larvae, small snails, crustaceans, mollusks, diatoms, and bits of vegetation.

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 Northern Hogsucker.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Northern Hogsucker water

    Pick Northern Hogsucker 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 Northern Hogsucker

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

Stop guessing where Northern Hogsucker are.

Open the map, filter by Northern Hogsucker, 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.

Georgia licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Georgia waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

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.