The species occurs nowhere in the world except Canada. The copper redhorse occurs primarily in medium-sized rivers where water temperatures exceed 20°C in summer. Spawning occurs in riffle areas where the current is moderate to slow and the depth ranges between 0.75 and 2 m, over fine to coarse gravel and cobble substrate. Like its congeners, young-of-the-year copper redhorse spend their first growing season in shallow shoreline areas no more than 1.5 m deep, characterized by gentle slopes, vegetation, a very slow current and fine substrate (mix of clay-silt and sand).

By comparison with the other redhorse species with which it occurs in sympatry, the copper redhorse has the longest lifespan (over 30 years), is the most fecund and reaches the largest size (over 70 cm). Its spawning period is later than that of its congeners, occurring from late June to early July, when water temperatures range from 18 to 26°C. The species also reaches sexual maturity later than its congeners (at about 10 years). The copper redhorse feeds almost exclusively on molluscs, which it crushes with its very robust pharyngeal apparatus and molariform teeth.