The Redspot Chub is one of the largest of our native minnows, generally growing to 6-8 inches long. This fish closely resembles the more familiar creek chub but has larger scales and no spot at the front of the dorsal fin. The redspot has a large head and mouth. There is a small barbel on each side of the mouth. Its color is greenish on the back with a white belly.

 The range of the Redspot Chub is restricted to streams within the Neosho and Spring River basins. They require streams with a fairly steady flow of clear water, inhabiting deep pools and runs with gravel bottoms. They are most common in those streams having aquatic plants along their margins.

Redspot Chubs are protected by the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act and administrative regulations applicable thereto. Any time an eligible project is proposed that will impact the species’ preferred habitats within its probable range, the project sponsor must contact the Ecological Services Section, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, Kansas 67124-8174. Department personnel can then advise the project sponsor on permit requirements.

As defined by Kansas Administrative Regulations, critical habitats include those areas documented as currently supporting self-sustaining population(s) of any threatened or endangered species of wildlife as well as those areas determined by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to be essential for the conservation of any threatened or endangered species of wildlife.

 Currently, the following areas are designated critical for Redspot Chubs:

 (1) The main stem of Shoal Creek from its point of entry into Kansas at Sec. 36, T34S, R25E to its confluence with Empire Lake in Sec. 29, T34S, R25E in Cherokee County, Kansas.
 (2) The main stem of Spring River at the point of entry on the Kansas-Missouri border in Cherokee County, (Sec. 1, T33S, R25E) to the confluence with Shoal Creek (Sec. 19, T34S, R25E).