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e e e WHITE SUCKER (Catostomus commersoni) HABITAT USE INFORMATION General The white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) is a highly adaptable, freshwater fish species found in lacustrine and riverine environments from the Mackenzie River, Hudson Bay drainage, and the Labrador Peninsula; south along the Atlantic Coast to western Georgia; along the northern extremes of the Gulf States to northern Oklahoma; north through the eastern sections of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana; and through Alberta, north-central British Columbia and southeastern Yukon territory (Carlander 1969; Scott and Crossman 1973). Age, Growth, and Food Male white suckers typically reach maturity between ages II (Hayes 1956) and VI (Campbell 1935; Geen et al. 1966), depending on geographic location. Females usually mature 1 to 2 years later than males (Spoor 1938). Like most fishes, populations in northern latitudes or at higher altitudes generally have slower growth, mature later, and live longer than more southern or lower elevation populations. Size at sexual maturity ranges from 15 to 23 cm in males (Hayes 1956; Geen et al. 1966) and up to 27 cm in females (Hayes 1956). Ages of X to XII have been reported (Oence 1948; Olson 1963) and a maximum age of XVII was recorded by Beamish (1973). Sac-fry feed on surface associated zooplankton (e.g., copepods, cladocerans, and rotifers) (Olson 1963; Siefert 1972; Lalancette 1977) or on suspended phytoplankton (Nurnberger 1928; Siefert 1972). After complete yolk absorption (20 to 29 days, at 14 to 18 mm), the mouth moves from a terminal to a ventral position, and an associated shift to bottom feeding occurs (Stewart 1926; Siefert 1972). The diet after yolk absorption consists of benthic organisms, such as chironomid larvae, pupae, and fingernail clams (Olson 1963; Pflieger 1975; Krieger 1980). Juveniles feed primarily on benthic organisms. As size increases with maturation, the size range of food items ingested increases to include amphipods, gastropods, and large immature aquatic insects (Stewart 1926; Oence 1948). White suckers are active and feed throughout the year. Maximum growth occurs from June to August but growth is inhibited during gonadal development and spawning (Lalancette 1977). Reproduction White suckers start their upstream spawning migration in spring to early summer, when the daily maximum water temperature reaches 100 C (01 son 1963; Geen et al. 1966; Fuiman 1978; Curry 1979; Walton 1980). The migration continues until the water temperature reaches about 180 C (Raney 1943; Hayes 1956; Olson 1963). Initiation of spawning migrations appears to be either 1