Central Stoneroller
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Campostoma anomalum

Maximum Size: 8
Shape: Heavy-bodied
Suggested Hook & Size: Mustad 33909 #1/0 - #14
Thread: Iron Gray, 8/0 Uni-thread

Tail: Pearl Green Hanked Lite-Brite color an Orange tail
Tail Fin: Orange Prismacolor Pen
Body: Pearl Blue Bodi-Braid
Eye & Insert: Gold, Spirit River, Real Eye with
Priz Chartreuse 3-D Molded insert
Lower Side: Pearl Green Hanked Lite-Brite with scattered Black blotches.
Upper Side: Silver Hanked Lite-Brite with scattered Black blotches.

Snout Color or Change Thread: Iron Gray
Belly or Stomach: Pearl Green Hanked Lite-Brite
Dorsum or Back: Peacock Hanked Lite-Brite with scattered dark blotches.

Head Color: Olive
Cheek & Chin Color: Pearl Green
Pectoral Fins: Orange Prismacolor Pen
Anal Fin: Orange Prismacolor Pen
Pelvic Fin: Orange Prismacolor Pen
Dorsal Fin: Orange Prismacolor Pen

Colored Markers: Orange for all fins: Black and Brown for dark blotches on dorsum and upper and lower sides
Tying Notes: None

Distribution: Found in the eastern United States, but only in the Blue Ridge in the Atlantic Coastal Plains. Occurs in the southern tributaries of the Great Lakes, the southern portions of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the southeastern corner of South Dakota and Wyoming, then southward in the eastern portion of Colorado, dipping into New Mexico and through central Texas. Found throughout Alabama but on the edges of Louisiana and Mississippi. Absent from the coastal plains of the Gulf of Mexico.
Habitat: Prefers small streams to large river with current over gravel to bedrock bottoms.
Spawning Period: In the Spring when water temperatures are 53-57 degrees.
Spawning Habitat: Excavated pits in gravel shoals. Males actually build the pit by carrying or rolling small stones to form the nesting pit.
Important Notes: This is one of the best forage fish for Smallmouth Bass in the Ozarkian streams and rivers. This minnow has a peculiar habit of jumping out of the water and then sinking back to the bottom on warm days in the Spring and Fall. The colors of the Central Stoneroller is variant. Their dorsum's can be slate, brown, Tan, or green. Their fins can be clear, yellowish, orange, or brilliant red. The brown dorsum with orange fins seems to be the most popular, here referred to as the White River variation.