Skip to main content

Northern Hogsucker

Northern Hogsucker

The Northern Hog Sucker is a distinctive native species found throughout Indiana's streams and rivers, listed in the Indiana DNR's official fish species catalog.

This bottom-dwelling member of the sucker family (Catostomidae) is challenging targets that require precise presentation and specialized techniques.

Scientific Name: Hypentelium nigricans

Physical Characteristics:
  • Has a characteristic large, bony head that's squarish in cross-section, large protruding lips covered with small bumps called papillae, and large pectoral fins.
  • They display a mottled brownish coloration with five dark saddle-shaped bands across the back, providing excellent camouflage against gravel bottoms.
  • Adults typically reach 8-14 inches in Indiana waters, with exceptional specimens approaching 2 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Indiana's streams and rivers.
  • They prefer clear, fast-flowing streams with gravel or cobble substrate, inhabiting riffle areas in warm-water creeks and small rivers.
  • They're absent from lakes and reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • Various Indiana waters including tributaries of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers, Whitewater River in Franklin County where a 14.2-inch specimen was recorded in 2024.

Specific Spots

  • Target riffle areas with gravel bottoms, shallow riffles where they can be found basking on rocks.

Northern Hogsucker FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Live bait is most effective, with red worms or nightcrawlers on small hooks being the top choice. For artificial lures, small soft plastics like Mini Trout Magnets can work when placed precisely.

What flies work for Northern Hogsucker in Indiana?

Weighted nymph patterns, particularly hare's ear nymphs in sizes 4-8, with beadhead or conehead streamers in black and brown colors proving successful.

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

Peak fishing occurs outside spawning periods (avoid May when they're spawning in shallow riffles).

How do you catch Northern Hogsucker in Indiana?

The key technique involves locating the fish visually, then casting upstream to drift bait naturally with the current, positioning it directly in front of or even under the fish. Anchoring bait lightly on the bottom with minimal weight often proves more effective than free-drifting.

What do Northern Hogsucker eat?

They feed by aggressively flipping over rocks and scraping materials from the bottom, consuming insect larvae, crustaceans, mollusks, diatoms, and 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.

Indiana 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.