Freshwater · Spring spawning runs best; April to June in rocky riffles, bottom fishing year-round in deep pools
River Redhorse
Moxostoma carinatum
The largest of the redhorse suckers, a deep-bodied river fish with a red tail and ridged lips that crushes mollusks on rocky runs. A clean-water specialist and a prized 'rough fish' target for dedicated anglers; note that in Canada it is rare and assessed at risk in Ontario, known from waters such as the Grand River, so release fish there and check local rules.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Bright red to orange-red tail and dorsal fin in adults
- Deep, compressed body with large bronze-olive scales
- Thick lips covered with strong transverse ridges — unique among redhorses
- Downturned sucker mouth set well under a blunt, steep head
- Size alone helps: adults commonly exceed 20 in (51 cm)
Habits
- Feeds on the bottom on mollusks, crayfish and insect larvae crushed with throat teeth
- Needs clean, rocky rivers and declines where silt and pollution build up
- Gathers on gravel riffles to spawn in spring
- Holds in deep pools and behind boulders in moderate current
- Wary and light-biting for its size; often taken by specialist bottom anglers
Distribution
Where to find them
- Rocky runs of the upper Mississippi and its tributaries
- Ohio River tributary riffles and tailwaters in spring
- Minnesota River and St. Croix gravel runs
Where they live
How to catch them
Bottom fishing rocky runs and tailwaters River
Rig: Medium rod, sliding sinker rig with a size 4-6 hook, baited with worm or crayfish and fished on the bottom of rocky runs and tailwaters
Bait/lure: Worms, crayfish pieces
Key tip: Keep the bait pinned in the seam behind boulders; bites are soft pulls, so watch the rod tip and strike gently.
Deep-pool bottom fishing for specialists River
Rig: Heavier bottom rig with small baits in deep pools, fished patiently at dawn and dusk — a specialist 'rough fish' approach
Bait/lure: Small worms, dough balls, cut bait
Key tip: Fish known pools methodically and release large fish quickly — they are slow-growing and locally scarce.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Medium 7-8 ft (2.1-2.4 m) spinning rod
- Line: 10-14 lb (4.5-6.4 kg) mono
- Terminal: Sliding sinkers, size 4-6 hooks, swivels
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 20-26 in (51-66 cm); large fish to about 31 in (79 cm) and 15 lb (6.8 kg)
On the table
Fair — sweet but very bony sucker flesh; most anglers release these large, slow-growing fish.
Similar species
Shorthead RedhorseShorthead redhorse is much smaller with a short, downturned head and smooth-ish lips; river redhorse is the giant of the group with strongly ridged lips
Spotted SuckerSpotted sucker is a smaller, slow-water fish with rows of dark spots and no red tail; river redhorse is a big, deep, red-finned fish of rocky currentRegulations 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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