Ictiobus cyprinellus

How to identify a Bigmouth Buffalo

Bigmouth Buffalo are found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs with cover (weeds, wood, rock). Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Lakes, rivers and reservoirs with cover (weeds, wood, rock)

Where to catch Bigmouth Buffalo

• Mississippi system rivers — all species we list for this fishery
• Great Lakes bays — all species we list for this fishery
• Southern reservoirs — all species we list for this fishery
• European stillwaters — all species we list for this fishery

Bigmouth Buffalo by state

State season calendars that list Bigmouth Buffalo — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Alabama — seasons, best months and licence info
• Arkansas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Florida — seasons, best months and licence info
• Georgia — seasons, best months and licence info
• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Indiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Michigan — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
• New York — seasons, best months and licence info
• North Carolina — seasons, best months and licence info

Plus 7 more — all 50 state calendars.

Baits and lures

Jigs · spinners · soft plastics · live bait

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Bigmouth Buffalo:

• Smallmouth Buffalo — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Black Acara — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Black Bullhead — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Black Crappie — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Black Redhorse — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Blacknose Dace — identification & profile (Freshwater)