Range and Identity
Carpiodes cyprinus is a North American sucker. The extended dorsal fin helps orient identification, but related carpsuckers also need comparison. White fins and the absence of a lower-lip nipple are useful details in separating Quillback from similar regional fishes.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults occupy productive permanent waters, including quieter pools. Spawning can occur over gravel in flowing reaches. These settings show why a fish’s usual feeding habitat should not be treated as its only habitat throughout the year or during every life stage.
Food and Life History
Insect larvae, mollusks, algae and detritus are recorded foods. Upper references are sixty-six centimeters total length and 2.9 kilograms. Conflicting numbers in a separate regional description are not used to replace those compiled references, and the weight is not calculated from the reported length.
Field Note
Include the mouth and dorsal fin in an identification photograph when possible. The tall fin alone can be less decisive than a combination of fin and lip features.
All Lakes With Quillback
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Quillback records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
Showing 1–24 of 345 lakes · Page 1 of 15
- A. J. Jolly Lake Campbell, KY
- Aberdeen Lake Monroe, MS
- Albemarle Lake East Carroll, LA
- Albert Lea Lake Freeborn, MN
- Aliceville Lake Pickens, AL
- Allatoona Lake Cherokee, GA
- Amber Lake Martin, MN
- Amistad Reservoir Val Verde, TX
- Amory Pool Monroe, MS
- Arkabutla Lake DeSoto, MS
- Artichoke Lake Big Stone, MN
- Atoka Reservoir Atoka, OK
- B A Steinhagen Lake Jasper, TX
- Bankhead Lake Tuscaloosa, AL
- Barren River Lake Allen, KY
- Bay Springs Lake Tishomingo, MS
- Bear Creek Reservoir Franklin, AL
- Beaver Lake Washington, AR
- Beaver Lake Anderson, KY
- Bee Lake Holmes, MS
- Belton Lake Bell, TX
- Big Kandiyohi Lake Kandiyohi, MN
- Big Stone Lake Big Stone, MN
- Big Stone NWR East Pool Lac qui Parle, MN