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Bigmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus cyprinellus

Also known as

buffalo fish, gourd head, redmouth buffalo, roundhead

IUCN status

Least Concern

About the Bigmouth Buffalo

The Bigmouth Buffalo is a large, deep-bodied fish recognized by its distinctive humpbacked profile and a large, downward-pointing mouth adapted for filtering. Its coloration typically ranges from olive-brown to dark gray on the back, gradually lightening to a silvery or yellowish-white belly. This robust species lacks barbels and has large scales, giving it a powerful and ancient appearance.

Source: FishBase & iNaturalist

Habitat

This species thrives in large, slow-moving rivers, expansive natural lakes, and reservoirs, particularly those with abundant vegetation and soft, muddy or silty bottoms. They generally prefer deeper, calmer waters but will move into shallower areas during warmer periods or for spawning.

Distribution

Native to North America, the Bigmouth Buffalo is widely distributed throughout the central United States and parts of Canada, primarily within the vast Mississippi River basin and its associated tributaries. Its range extends from the Great Lakes region southward to the Gulf Coast states.

Behaviour

Unlike many bottom-dwelling suckers, Bigmouth Buffalo are primarily filter feeders, using their large mouths to strain plankton, algae, and small invertebrates from the water column, often feeding mid-water. They are known to form sizable schools, especially during seasonal movements and spawning migrations. They become more active and can be found in shallower feeding grounds when water temperatures rise.

Edibility

★★★★★

The Bigmouth Buffalo offers firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor, making it a decent table fish. However, it is notorious for possessing numerous small intramuscular bones, which can make preparation and consumption challenging for some.

Lure suggestion

Traditional lures are generally ineffective for Bigmouth Buffalo due to their filter-feeding diet. Successful anglers typically use small hooks (size 6-10) baited with dough balls, canned corn, or small pieces of worms fished on the bottom or suspended a few inches off the bottom. A simple slip-sinker rig or a small bobber rig in calmer waters are often effective presentations.