Post date: Monday, March 5, 2012 - 21:10
Updated date: 2/6/17
Silver redhorse, Moxostoma anisurum

The silver redhorse is a large, heavy-bodied sucker that thrives in clean, swift, medium-sized rivers. It is truly an impressive creature. The silver is the largest member of the sucker family, apart from the buffalos, commonly found throughout the USA. Spectacular fighters, silver redhorse are a favorite target for anglers who appreciate big, tough-fighting fish. Delicious to eat, challenging to catch, hard-fighting, and beautiful, this species is perhaps one of the most underappreciated of all the great sucker species in north America.

 

 

Description

 

The silver redhorse has an olive or slate-colored tailfin with silvery sides, somewhat darker above and bright silver below. It has 15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin is convex, or fan-shaped. The lower fins are reddish or orange. Silver redhorse can weigh up to 14 pounds, but they average around 4.

 

 

Habitat

 

The silver prefers clear rivers and medium-sized streams with gravelly riffles and permanent pools. They often frequent small to medium-sized, clearwater rivers which are full of insect life.

 

 

Tactics

 

The silver redhorse is fairly common in the midwest, but it is less tolerant of pollution than the golden or the shorthead so rivers with healthy silver redhorse populations are more rare. This is a bigger fish, often weighing in around five or six pounds - and fish larger than this are not uncommon. As such, heavier tackle should be used for silver fishing (8 weight flyrods and medium spinning tackle). The Silver Redhorse shines as a sport fish; it's powerful runs and gyrating leaps are legendary among nongame fishermen. Immense runs of silver redhorse are commonplace on some rivers, and the early spring action thus provided is unequalled in nature. No other fishery in our area provides the kind of non-stop, heart-pounding action. Silvers take nightcrawlers with gusto. Flies to consider for silver redhorse include the Bitch Creek, extra-large Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ears , or the Nuclear Rockworm.

 

 

 

Range Map

Photo Credits:

Photo by Trevor Hominick