Freshwater · Spring to fall; best in spring and summer
Central Stoneroller
Campostoma anomalum
The central stoneroller is an algae-grazing minnow of Ontario and lower Great Lakes streams, named for males that push gravel into nest mounds in spring. In Canada it is a fish of southern Ontario creeks, met while micro-fishing riffles.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Slender, cylindrical minnow, olive-brown with dark scale edges
- Hard, cartilaginous scraping ridge on the lower lip
- Small, underslung mouth; no barbel
- Breeding males develop tubercles and orange fins with a black band
- Intestine very long, coiled around the swim bladder — a grazer's gut
Habits
- Grazes algae and diatoms from stones in riffles with its hard lower lip
- Males push gravel with their snouts to build nest mounds in spring
- Schools over shallow gravel runs in clear creeks
- Other minnows spawn over stoneroller mounds
- Sensitive to silt — a sign of clean, hard-bottom streams
Distribution
Where to find them
- Gravel riffles in southern Ontario creeks
- Shallow rocky runs in lower Great Lakes tributaries
- Clear stream pools just below riffles
Where they live
How to catch them
Micro-hook riffle fishing River
Rig: Ultralight rod, size 16-20 hook with a tiny bit of worm or dough drifted through shallow riffles
Bait/lure: Worm bits, algae-scented dough
Key tip: Drift the bait right over the gravel where rollers graze — bites are tiny plucks in the current.
Tiny nymph in runs River
Rig: Light fly rod, tiny nymphs dead-drifted through rocky runs and riffle tails
Bait/lure: Tiny nymphs
Key tip: Keep the nymph near bottom in bright, shallow water and watch for a flash as a roller turns.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Ultralight 5-6 ft rod
- Line: 2-4 lb mono
- Terminal: Size 16-20 hooks, tiny split shot, small nymphs
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 4-6 in; large fish to about 8 in
On the table
Not eaten — small and bony; a grazer best appreciated and released.
Similar species
Creek ChubCreek chub has a large terminal mouth and eats insects and crayfish; stoneroller has a small underslung mouth with a hard scraping lip for algae
Lake ChubLake chub is a northern lake fish with a small barbel; stoneroller is a southern creek grazer with a hard lower-lip scraper and no barbelRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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