Other names: -
The Sacramento sucker, Catostomus occidentalis, is a freshwater fish native to the Pacific Slope of the United States, particularly within the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage. It thrives in a range of aquatic environments, including clear streams and lakes, where it is commonly found in pools with cool, slow-moving waters. This species is notable for its adaptability and is often targeted by anglers for its abundance and size.
Other names
-
Length
~33" (max 60)
Weight
~1" (max 2)
Water
Fresh
Water Temp
15-30° F
PowerBait Egg Cluster
WormsSorry. Regulation data is empty
Prefers pools in clear, cool streams, as well as lakes and impoundments
Often found in slow-moving waters with a sandy or gravelly substrate
Feeds on detritus, algae, and small invertebrates, making it an opportunistic bottom feeder
Commonly seen in both natural and man-made bodies of water, especially where water quality is good
Spawning occurs in the spring, with adults migrating to shallow, gravelly areas to lay eggs
Males develop breeding tubercles during the spawning season, which they use to stimulate females
Eggs are fertilized externally and hatch within a few days, with larvae drifting downstream to calmer waters
Post-spawning, the adults return to deeper pools where they resume feeding and growing
