Freshwater · Spring; best during the spring spawn
Silver Redhorse
Moxostoma anisurum
The silver redhorse is the larger, deeper-bodied redhorse of bigger rivers in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Less often targeted than the shorthead, it is mainly caught in spring on worm bottom rigs and fights hard.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Large, deep-bodied silver-bronze sucker with a longer head than shorthead redhorse
- Dorsal fin with a straight to slightly concave edge
- Tail mostly grey to dusky, with at most a faint red wash
- Thick lips and a downturned sucker mouth
- Scales large with dark edges, flanks silvery
Habits
- Native to larger rivers of the Great Lakes, Manitoba and Quebec drainages
- Feeds on bottom invertebrates, snails and small molluscs
- Moves to rocky riffles in spring to spawn
- Holds in deep runs and pools outside the spawn
- Long-lived; big fish are decades old
Distribution
Where to find them
- Deep runs below dams on the Ottawa, St. Lawrence and Red rivers
- Rocky channels of Great Lakes tributaries in spring
- Pool tails and current edges on large Shield rivers
Where they live
How to catch them
Bottom fishing deep runs River
Rig: Medium rod, slip-sinker rig with worms resting in deep runs and pool tails
Bait/lure: Worms, nightcrawlers
Key tip: Be patient — silver redhorse feed deliberately and bites can be slow, heavy pulls.
Spring riffle-edge fishing River
Rig: Medium-light rod, lightly weighted worms fished along riffle edges during the spring spawn
Bait/lure: Worm pieces
Key tip: Target the softer water just off the fast riffle where staging fish rest.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Medium 6-7 ft spinning rod
- Line: 8-12 lb mono
- Terminal: Slip sinkers, hooks size 4-8
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 18-24 in; large fish to about 30 in and 10 lb
On the table
Fair — sweet but very bony; usually released in Canada.
Similar species
Shorthead RedhorseShorthead redhorse is smaller with a short head and a clearly red tail; silver redhorse is larger and deeper-bodied with a longer head and a mostly grey tail
White SuckerWhite sucker is smaller, cylindrical and drab; silver redhorse is much larger and deeper-bodied with large, dark-edged scalesRegulations 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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