The Missouri River System's "Other" Fish

Blue Sucker

Blue suckers have a large geographical distribution. They can be found in various (other than the Missouri) large river systems including a respectable population in the Rio Grande River. In North Dakota, blue suckers have been periodically collected throughout the Missouri River System but with much greater abundance in the free-flowing stretches of the Missouri River above both lakes Sakakawea and Oahe. Blue suckers prefer to inhabit deep areas of large rivers with strong currents and sand/gravel/rock bottoms. They also appear to prefer confluence areas of major tributaries like the Knife River for spawning purposes.

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