June sucker
Endangered Utah lake fish named for its spawning month
The June sucker is a rare fish found only in Utah Lake and the Provo River. Named for its spring spawning season, it faces threats from hybridisation and predators but is recovering through hatchery programmes.
- Named for its spawning month in late spring
- Feeds on zooplankton rather than bottom debris
- Can live for more than 40 years in the wild
- Population rose from 300 to 3,500 since 1999
- Over one million fish released from hatcheries
What it is
The June sucker is a member of the sucker family, distinct from most relatives because it does not feed on the bottom. It has a mouth oriented forward to catch food in open water. The fish appears dark gray or brownish on its back, with a white or slightly greenish belly. Adults typically grow between 17 and 24 inches long and can weigh up to 5 pounds. This species is endemic to a small area in Utah, living alongside the more common Utah sucker.
Where it lives
This fish is found only in Utah Lake, its feeder streams, and the adjacent Provo River in the United States. A separate population was successfully established in Red Butte Reservoir. The species requires specific water conditions for survival, which have been altered by channelization and impoundment in tributary streams. Recovery efforts now focus on managing water releases in the Provo River and Hobble Creek systems to support their habitat needs.
How it lives
Unlike other suckers that scavenge the lake bed, the June sucker feeds on zooplankton in the midwater column. It is a long-lived fish, with a lifespan exceeding 40 years. In its native environment, it faces predation from introduced species such as white bass and walleye, which target young larvae. The fish also competes with common carp, another non-native species introduced to the lake after native populations declined due to overfishing.
Breeding and life cycle
The species gets its name from the month in which it spawns. Hybridisation with the Utah sucker poses a significant threat to genetic purity, with one subspecies possibly extinct since 1935. The surviving form is partly a result of hybrid speciation. Conservation programmes aim to release 25,000 hatchery-raised individuals into Utah Lake each year to boost natural recruitment and ensure the continuation of the species.
Fish and people
Fish have been raised at the Logan Fish Hatchery since 1991, with over one million released by 2023. The Springville State Hatchery has also contributed to population augmentation. The June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program coordinates these efforts, including habitat restoration. In 2021, the federal listing changed from endangered to threatened as the effective population size grew from roughly 300 in 1999 to around 3,500 in 2016.
Status and threats
The species was listed as endangered in 1986 due to severe population declines. Threats include pollution, turbidity, drought, and loss of native vegetation. Predation by non-native fish and hybridisation with the Utah sucker further reduced numbers. Recent conservation actions, such as hatchery stocking and flow management, have helped the population rebound. Ongoing studies monitor natural recruitment to ensure long-term viability without constant human intervention.
Questions people ask about June sucker
Why is it called the June sucker?
The fish is named after the month in which it spawns. This timing distinguishes it from other local species and marks a critical period for its reproduction and conservation monitoring efforts in Utah Lake.
What does the June sucker eat?
Unlike most suckers that are bottom-feeders, this species collects zooplankton from the midwater. Its mouth is oriented forward to help it capture these small organisms while swimming in the open water column.
Is the June sucker still endangered?
In 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service downgraded its status from endangered to threatened. This change reflects a population increase from about 300 fish in 1999 to approximately 3,500 in 2016 due to recovery programmes.
Where can you find June suckers?
They are endemic to Utah Lake, its feeder streams, and the Provo River in Utah. A self-sustaining population has also been established in Red Butte Reservoir through intentional stocking and conservation management.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "June sucker", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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