Species profile
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Identify White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 22 jurisdictions.
At a glance
White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 24 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Northwest Territories); the most generous is 100 (Missouri).
Confirmed by 5,750 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ontario, Ohio, and Pennsylvania the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Their fleshy, downward-facing mouth works like a vacuum on stream bottoms.
- They can live up to 17 years in the wild.
- Adults commonly reach 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) in length.
- Spring spawning runs historically fed Indigenous communities across eastern North America.
- Walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge rely heavily on them as prey.
Where White Sucker are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for White Sucker
Background
The white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) is a freshwater Cypriniform fish inhabiting the upper Midwest and Northeast in North America, but is also found as far south as Georgia and New Mexico in the south and west. The fish is commonly known as a "sucker" due to its fleshy papillose lips that suck up organic matter and aufwuchs from the bottom of rivers and streams.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's White Sucker article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is White Sucker?
White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 24 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for White Sucker?
White Sucker is Catostomus commersonii.
Is White Sucker regulated for fishing?
Yes — White Sucker has fishing regulations in 22 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify White Sucker?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes White Sucker along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.