Skip to main content

Silver Redhorse

Silver Redhorse

The Silver Redhorse is one of seven redhorse sucker species native to Ohio and serves as an excellent indicator of healthy river systems. They're the longest-lived redhorse species, with a maximum reported age of 41 years.

Unlike carp, they cannot tolerate pollution or murky waters, making them valuable water quality indicators. They are considered quite abundant in southeastern rivers including the Ohio River basin.

Scientific Name: Moxostoma anisurum

Physical Characteristics:
  • Silver-sided fish with a dark gray-brown back and slate gray tail, with a distinctive deep 'V' formed by their lips.
  • They're more deep-bodied than other Ohio redhorse species, with a slightly convex dorsal fin containing 14-17 soft rays.
  • Silver Redhorse typically measure 18-24 inches and weigh 2-5 pounds, though they can reach up to 30 inches and 10 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • In Ohio, they inhabit medium to large rivers throughout the state, found in the Ohio River system.

Key Locations

  • Medium to large rivers throughout Ohio, particularly southeastern rivers including the Ohio River basin, Ohio River system.

Specific Spots

  • Deep slow pools with sand substrates, areas with undercut banks, protruding tree roots, areas near shallow riffles where they spawn, clean gravel riffles.

Silver Redhorse FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Pieces of nightcrawler, leech, small crayfish, naturally found cut clam, dough balls, bread balls, jigs that sink to the bottom.

What flies work for Silver Redhorse in Ohio?

Size 10-12 black nymphs, smaller beaded woolly buggers, clouser minnows, yarn e.g.gs, patterns tied to resemble clams, jigs that sink to the bottom.

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

Most productive from February through April during their spawning migration, with peak action occurring in March and early April. They spawn from April to May.

How do you catch Silver Redhorse in Ohio?

Bottom-running rigs, split shot rigs, sight fishing with stealth approach, drifting presentations in current. Jigs that sink to the bottom are productive with both spinning and fly tackle.

What do Silver Redhorse eat?

As bottom feeders, they consume mollusks, algae, detritus, immature insects, snails, and other aquatic invertebrates.

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 Silver Redhorse.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Silver Redhorse water

    Pick Silver Redhorse 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 Silver Redhorse

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

Stop guessing where Silver Redhorse are.

Open the map, filter by Silver Redhorse, 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.

Ohio 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.