White suckers are game fish that can be found in lakes, rivers, and streams all over the U.S. These fish tend to stick to shallower areas where there is current. They can be caught using various methods, such as bottom fishing, bait casting, chumming, and fly fishing.
Habitat: Lake, River, Stream
How to identify White Sucker
White suckers have distinctive, rounded mouths that slant downward and are designed to help them feed on bottoms. They have torpedo-shaped bodies that are covered in scales and downward-facing heads. Their tails and fins are wide. They have a deeply forked tail and thickly-rayed fins. The adults can range in color from various shades of gray to deep greens or browns.
Where to catch White Sucker
These fish are found in various parts of the U.S., including the northeast, south, west, and upper midwest. They prefer to live in lakes, rivers, and streams and are able to tolerate dirty water.
The following are habitats where you can catch White Sucker:
- Cliffs
- Cliffs and Steep Shore Banks
- Current Edges
- Dams and Falls
- Drop-offs
- Eddies
- Freshwater Lakes and Ponds
- Freshwater Weed Beds
- Gradual Shores
- Inlets and Outlets
- Inside Turns and Coves
- Islands or Sand Bars
- Lake and Pond Fishing Holes
- Open Water
- Outside of Bends
- Overhanging Trees and Bushes
- Piers, Docks and Pilings
- Riparian Zones
- Ripples, Currents, Swirls and Sprays
- Rivers and Streams
- Rock and Boulder Pockets
- Rocks
- Small Pointed Waves
- Springs Holes
- Sunken Objects
- Undercut Banks
- Walkways and Bridges
How to catch White Sucker
White suckers are considered a game fish. They are best caught from April through May. The best method to use for catching winter suckers is the standard line and hook baited with a worm. The smaller the fish, the easier it is to hook one while fishing bottoms. Anglers who use whole worms may even catch a bigger fish. Other methods that have proven successful for catching winter suckers are bait casting, chumming, and fly fishing. Anglers should use a sinker to try to get the fly closer to the bottom where the fish can suck it up. Look for them in areas of shallow water where there is a bit of current. They are relatively easy to spot as they move through the water.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching White Sucker:
- Bait Casting
- Bottom Bouncer
- Bottom Fishing
- Cast and Retrieve Fishing
- Chuming
- Drift Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Fresh Water Trolling
- Jigging
- Live Lining and Trolling
- Night Fishing
- Saltwater Jigging
- Saltwater Trolling
- Spinning
- Spooning
- Still Fishing
- Surf Casting
- Surface Poppers
- Top Water Fishing
- Trolling
- Upstream Casting
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch White Sucker
The best bait to use with white suckers is worms. They also respond well to small flies.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch White Sucker:
