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Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth buffalo are native freshwater fish found throughout Illinois, commonly inhabiting the Mississippi, Illinois, Kaskaskia, Ohio, and Wabash rivers.

Despite their name and carp-like appearance, they belong to the Catostomidae family (suckers) rather than the carp family, making them a native species rather than invasive.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus bubalus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These stocky fish typically reach 16-24 inches and 5-10 pounds, though they can grow much larger - up to 30 inches and 35 pounds.
  • They have deep, compressed bodies with bronze to slate olive coloring that lightens with age, small ventral mouths, and distinctively large eyes.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Illinois, commonly inhabiting the Mississippi, Illinois, Kaskaskia, Ohio, and Wabash rivers.
  • They prefer clear, moderate to fast-moving waters with dense aquatic vegetation and silty bottoms, tolerating hard water and pH ranges of 6.5-8.5.

Key Locations

  • Target them in the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, as well as lakes and ponds with dense vegetation and silty bottoms.

Specific Spots

  • Look for areas with overhanging trees, gradual shores, rock and boulder pockets, drop-offs, and merging currents.
  • Focus on deeper pools, holes, and areas with current breaks.

Smallmouth Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Smallmouth Buffalo in Illinois?

Dough balls, corn, nightcrawlers, and cut bait on bottom rigs - bread or semolina balls are particularly effective. Small jigs, bloodworms, and mayflies also produce results.

What flies work for Smallmouth Buffalo in Illinois?

Nymph patterns, woolly buggers, carp crack patterns, glo bugs, and small stonefly nymph imitations. In still water, cottonwood seed patterns work well in June and July when natural seeds are on the water.

When is the best time to fish for Smallmouth Buffalo in Illinois?

Can be caught year-round in Illinois, but the best fishing occurs from spring through fall when water temperatures are between 60-80°F and fish are most active.

How do you catch Smallmouth Buffalo in Illinois?

For conventional tackle, use bottom rigs. When sight fishing with flies, present directly in their feeding path with minimal movement.

What do Smallmouth Buffalo eat?

Primarily detritivores and bottom feeders, using their sucker mouths to consume small crustaceans, insect larvae, mollusk larvae, zooplankton, algae, and organic matter from lake and river bottoms. Stomach sampling shows they primarily feed on insects.

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