The silver redhorse has an olive or slate-colored tailfin with silvery sides, somewhat darker above and bright silver below. It has 15 soft rays in the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin is convex, or fan-shaped. The lower fins are reddish or orange. Silver redhorse can weigh up to 14 pounds, but they average around 4.

The silver prefers clear rivers and medium-sized streams with gravelly riffles and permanent pools. They often frequent small to medium-sized, clearwater rivers which are full of insect life.

 
The silver redhorse is fairly common in the midwest, but it is less tolerant of pollution than the golden or the shorthead so rivers with healthy silver redhorse populations are more rare. This is a bigger fish, often weighing in around five or six pounds - and fish larger than this are not uncommon. As such, heavier tackle should be used for silver fishing (8 weight flyrods and medium spinning tackle). The Silver Redhorse shines as a sport fish; it's powerful runs and gyrating leaps are legendary among nongame fishermen. Immense runs of silver redhorse are commonplace on some rivers, and the early spring action thus provided is unequalled in nature. No other fishery in our area provides the kind of non-stop, heart-pounding action. Silvers take nightcrawlers with gusto. Flies to consider for silver redhorse include the Bitch Creek, extra-large Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ears , or the Nuclear Rockworm.

Identification

Silver redhorse are most often confused with golden redhorse.  Here is a side by side comparison of the two, with the silver on top.

The silver redhorse has a gray tail and a large convex (fan-shaped) dorsal fin.  Color ranges from silvery to a brassy.  The fins are invariably orange as opposed to bright red.  The dorsal fin has at least 15 rays.  Silvers are most often confused with the Golden Redhorse.  Goldens can be distinguished by their small, concave dorsal fin with 12 rays.

Spawning

The silver redhorse spawns at a water temperature of approximately 56 degrees.  This usually occurs around the first weekend in May in the midwest. It spawns in riffles from 1-5 feet in depth, covered with gravel and rock rubble.