Spotted Sucker
The Spotted Sucker is a medium-sized member of the Catostomidae family that is classified as common and native with permanent statewide residency in Illinois. These fish are sensitive to water pollution and serve as indicators of water quality.
Scientific Name: Minytrema melanops
- Averaging 9-16 inches in length and weighing 0.5-2 pounds, with some individuals reaching up to 19 inches.
- Distinguished by 8-12 parallel rows of dark spots on the base of each scale, they have a slender body with a short dorsal fin, green-brown back, silver or yellow-brown sides, and silver-white belly.
- Breeding males display two dark stripes separated by a pink band and develop tubercles on the snout and anal fin.
Fishing in Illinois
Sangamon River
Lake Clinton
Illinois River
Salt Creek
Vermilion River
Evergreen Lake
Dawson Lake
Lake Bloomington
Upper Peoria Lake
Lake Decatur
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They inhabit clear, warm waters with little current, preferring areas with abundant vegetation and soft bottoms including rivers, streams, reservoirs, and swamps.
- They prefer clear, warm waters with clay, sand, or gravel substrates.
Key Locations
- In Illinois, they can be found statewide in suitable habitat.
Specific Spots
- Focus on long deep pools of small to medium rivers, areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, and soft-bottomed habitats.
- Look for oxbow lakes and areas without strong current, as well as tributaries and creek mouths.
Spotted Sucker FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Sucker in Illinois?
Effective baits include nightcrawlers (broken into halves or thirds), red worms, leeches, small crayfish, and minnows.
What flies work for Spotted Sucker in Illinois?
Fly fishing can be productive using wet fly patterns such as nymph and scud patterns, along with flies that imitate worms and fish e.g.gs. Some anglers report success with sucker spawn e.g.g patterns, particularly natural chartreuse colors.
When is the best time to fish for Spotted Sucker in Illinois?
Spring spawning season from April through May when they're most active and feeding heavily.
How do you catch Spotted Sucker in Illinois?
Use a 1/8 oz jig head as an alternative to plain hooks, adding a slip float or bobber a few feet above to keep bait moving attractively in shallow waters.
What do Spotted Sucker eat?
Their diet consists primarily of zooplankton, insects, organic debris, organic fragments, copepods, cladocerans, and chironomids, with feeding occurring primarily at dawn and dusk.
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