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Black Redhorse

Black Redhorse

Black Redhorse are native Ohio suckers found statewide in swift-flowing portions of moderate to large streams and rivers with clear water. In Ohio, they're ranked as S5 (secure) with stable populations, indicating they're common in suitable habitat.

They're excellent water quality indicators - their presence signals healthy, clean streams as they cannot tolerate pollution, excessive siltation, or turbidity.

Scientific Name: Moxostoma duquesnei

Physical Characteristics:
  • Gray or brownish-olive with silvery sides, a slate gray tail, and a straight-edged lower lip that's thicker than the upper lip.
  • Adults typically reach 12-20 inches and can live 8-16 years.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found statewide in swift-flowing portions of moderate to large streams and rivers with clear water.
  • In Ohio's major river systems and other clear-flowing streams throughout the state.

Key Locations

  • Major river systems including the Scioto, Muskingum, Great Miami, and other clear-flowing streams.
  • Prime locations include the cleaner sections of major rivers like parts of the Scioto system, Muskingum River tributaries.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on pools adjacent to riffles and well-developed riffle areas in medium to large warmwater streams.
  • Target areas around boulders, gravel bars, or woody cover in pools downstream of riffles.
  • Focus on clean-bottomed areas with gravel, bedrock, or sand substrates rather than silty sections.
  • During summer, they inhabit pools and move to deeper pools for overwintering.

Black Redhorse FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Black Redhorse in Ohio?

Live offerings like red worms, wax worms, small minnows, or pieces of nightcrawlers. Small jigs tipped with soft plastic or live bait.

When is the best time to fish for Black Redhorse in Ohio?

Late summer through fall and winter for best success, avoiding the April-June spawning period. Winter fishing can be productive in deeper pools where they overwinter, though they remain less active in cold water temperatures.

How do you catch Black Redhorse in Ohio?

Bait fishing with small hooks, keeping baits on or very near the substrate where they naturally forage. Small jigs tipped with soft plastic or live bait can be effective when bounced slowly along the bottom. Target the seam water between fast and slower flows.

What do Black Redhorse eat?

Bottom feeders that forage by filtering through substrate for microcrustaceans, aquatic insects (particularly mayflies, caddisflies, and midges), snails, and other aquatic invertebrates. Young fish under 2.5 inches prefer plankton.

Where do Black Redhorse live in Ohio?

Found statewide in swift-flowing portions of moderate to large streams and rivers with clear water. In Ohio's major river systems and other clear-flowing streams throughout the state.

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