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Spotted Sucker

Spotted Sucker

The Spotted Sucker is a native Kentucky species found throughout the state and serves as an indicator of good water quality.

Scientific Name: Minytrema melanops

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by 8-12 parallel rows of dark spots on the base of each scale, they typically reach 12-19 inches and can weigh up to 2.6 pounds, with some specimens over 1,300 grams.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout the state in deep pools of small to medium rivers over clay, sand, or gravel substrates, but are also found in large rivers, oxbow lakes, backwater areas, and reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • Major rivers like the Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, Cumberland, Green, Salt, Kentucky, and Licking rivers.
  • Kentucky, Barkley, and Cumberland lakes.
  • Ohio River system, Green River drainage, Tennessee and Cumberland river systems.
  • Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam offer excellent opportunities.

Specific Spots

  • Target deep pools of rivers, channel drops, rocky areas with firm substrates, and areas with woody snags or cover.
  • Look for areas where springs or tributaries enter main rivers.

Spotted Sucker FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Sucker in Kentucky?

Top baits include nightcrawlers (break into halves or thirds to make them last longer), red worms, leeches, small crayfish, and minnows.

What flies work for Spotted Sucker in Kentucky?

Use wet flies in nymph and scud patterns, along with flies that imitate worms and fish e.g.gs. Weighted streamers (conehead and beadhead patterns in sizes 4-8).

When is the best time to fish for Spotted Sucker in Kentucky?

Spring before spawning (late March-early April) when they're actively feeding, and fall through early winter when they're preparing for winter.

How do you catch Spotted Sucker in Kentucky?

For fly fishing, sight-fishing works best by casting weighted streamers a few inches in front of feeding fish and giving action as they approach.

What do Spotted Sucker eat?

Their diet consists primarily of organic fragments, small crustaceans, benthic invertebrates, copepods, chironomids, diatoms, and mollusks, with feeding habits changing seasonally - spring, summer, and autumn bring increased zooplankton consumption, while summer and autumn also include chironomids.

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