The River Redhorse occurs throughout the central and eastern Mississippi River system and the Gulf Slope from Florida to Louisiana. In Canada, its distribution is characterized by disjunct populations in southern Ontario and Quebec. This species has declined considerably over much of its range in the last 100 years. Populations still occur in the Grand, Trent, Thames, Mississippi, Gatineau and Richelieu rivers, and recent data suggest a wider distribution in the Ottawa River than previously documented. However, this fish appears to no longer exist in the Ausable, Châteauguay and Yamaska watersheds and has declined dramatically in the St. Lawrence River. In Canada, the River Redhorse lives in medium- to large-sized rivers. In the late spring, fish migrate from pool habitats with slow currents and abundant vegetation to shallow areas with moderate to swift flow, riffle-run habitats and coarse (gravel, cobble) substrates.

The River Redhorse has a large, laterally compressed body. Adults are generally over 500 mm in total length, sometimes exceeding 700 mm. They have a white belly, a brown or olive green back, and brassy, yellowish-green or coppery sides with dark, crescent-shaped spots on each scale. The age at maturity is older than in southern populations, ranging between five and ten years. Maximum age is 28 years in Canada.