Identification
The elongated body carries a small head, an overhanging snout and thick, textured lips. A deeply forked tail and long, sickle-shaped dorsal fin are conspicuous. Breeding males can become very dark and develop small pale tubercles.
Size and Weight
The reported maximum total length is 93 cm, approximately 36.6 inches. Maximum published weight is 5.7 kg, about 12.6 pounds. A common length of 66.5 cm is roughly 26.2 inches. These separate species-summary values describe different aspects of size and should not be combined into one imaginary record fish.
Habitat and Natural Food
Adults occupy strong currents in the main channels and chutes of substantial rivers. Rock, gravel and sand provide feeding surfaces, and insects are documented food. Navigation barriers have restricted movements in parts of its range. A lake listing does not imply that quiet, silty lake habitat suits this river specialist.
Spawning and Fishing Context
Spring spawning is associated with its seasonal river life. Its natural insect diet alone does not identify a best recreational bait. Conservation and movement studies are more informative for this profile than unverified claims about easy catches.
Older Than Its Scales Suggest
Researchers comparing several body structures found that ear stones produced older and more consistent age estimates than scales or fin rays. The oldest ear-stone estimate was 42 years. That is a study estimate, not a known-age captive lifespan, but it changes how this fish’s longevity should be understood.
All Lakes With Blue Sucker
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Blue Sucker records in our database, listed alphabetically.
Showing 1–6 of 6 lakes · Page 1 of 1
- Fort Peck Dredge Cuts Valley, MT
- Fort Peck Lake Valley, MT
- Fort Peck Powerhouse Tailrace Valley, MT
- Lake Koocanusa Lincoln, MT
- Nelson Dredge Valley, MT
- Pickwick Lake Colbert, AL