Blue Sucker (Cycleptus elongatus)

Status: State Threatened (1979).

Occurrence: Mississippi River drainage basin, lower St. Croix, Red Cedar, Chippewa, Black, LaCrosse and Wisconsin Rivers. Generally found as far upstream as the first dam. A map outlining Pre-1977 and 1997 to Present Distribution is available.

Aid to ID: Elongate body with small head. Snout pointed, slightly bulbous at tip. Back and sides blue to blue black, belly whitish. Adult length: 2 feet (61cm).

Habitat: Prefer large, deep rivers and deeper zones of reservoirs, moderate to swift currents of narrow channels with gravel or rubble bottom.

Food Habits: A gregarious fish, blue suckers are bottom feeders. Eat insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, plant material and algae.

Natural History: Spawn from late April to early May at water temperatures of 50-60^o F (10-15^o C). Newly hatched young frequent shallow waters and are preyed on by fish-eating birds.

Management Considerations: Wisconsin populations of blue sucker represent some of the largest remaining in the upper Mississippi River basin, and therefore merit careful management. This species is intolerant to turbidity and pollution, so sources of pollution discharge and soil runoff within its range should be monitored and minimized.

Information compiled from publication ER-091.