Photo of the Week: Sucker Fish in the Klamath Basin

Written by: Winetta Owens

Juvenile sucker fish in Upper Klamath LakeTwo sucker fish in the Klamath Basin are on the endangered species list, the Lost River sucker and the shortnose sucker. The Lost River sucker can reach 2 feet 7 inches in length, while the smaller shortnose suckers can reach about 18 inches in length. During February through May, most suckers spawn upstream along the shoreline of Klamath Lake.

The Klamath Basin Area Office biologists salvaged over 1,000 juvenile suckers in 2015 from the canals and lakes to protect the fish from disease in Klamath Lake. The biologists tag and release the juvenile suckers back into Upper Klamath Lake, which allows them to monitor and document the juvenile suckers’ movement.

For more information on juvenile suckers, please visit:

http://www.oregonwild.org/wildlife/klamath-sucker-fish
https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20151217

Published on December 29, 2015