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Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo are native North American fish belonging to the sucker family (Catostomidae), found throughout Indiana's rivers, streams and reservoirs.

These robust, deep-bodied fish are recently discovered to be exceptionally long-lived, potentially reaching 90-100 years.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus bubalus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Robust, deep-bodied fish have bronze to slate olive coloration that lightens with age, distinctive large scales, and a small ventral mouth with 180-190 fragile teeth per arch.
  • Distinguished from carp by their lack of barbels and sickle-shaped dorsal fin with 26-31 rays.
  • Adults typically reach 40-60cm (16-24 inches) with some specimens exceeding 30kg (66 pounds).

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Indiana's rivers, streams and reservoirs.
  • Prefer waters with dense aquatic vegetation, silty bottoms, and moderate to fast-moving streams, tolerating pH ranges of 6.5-8.5 and turbid conditions.

Key Locations

  • Ohio River system, Wabash River, White River, and various Indiana reservoirs and lakes.
  • Indiana populations are found in the Mississippi River system, Ohio River, Wabash River, and White River systems.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on areas with muddy or silty bottoms, slow-moving pools, deeper holes, and areas with abundant organic matter.
  • Look for fish near submerged vegetation, rocky substrates, and transition areas between deep and shallow water.
  • Fish near the substrate in 1-6 feet of water, though they may move deeper during hot weather.
  • Fish around boulders, chunk rock, and structure.

Smallmouth Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Nightcrawlers, doughballs, corn, beans, peas, cut bait, and blood worms. Small jigs (1/8 to 1/4 oz), particularly hula grubs and single-tail grubs in watermelon, green pumpkin, or rootbeer colors.

What flies work for Smallmouth Buffalo in Indiana?

Clouser minnows, carp-style patterns like Backstabbers, Carp Crack, and Carp Dusters in bright colors (pink, chartreuse, orange) for muddy water or natural olive/brown tones for clear water. Boogle Bug poppers work for surface action.

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

Late spring through fall (avoiding April to early June spawning period). Pre-spawn periods in late winter and early spring are optimal.

How do you catch Smallmouth Buffalo in Indiana?

Fish slowly along the bottom. Present flies quietly in the fish's feeding path with minimal movement - just enough wiggle to attract attention. Patience and precision are essential as these intelligent fish can be very wary and selective.

What do Smallmouth Buffalo eat?

Diet consists primarily of detritus, using their ventral sucker mouth to pick up organic matter from the bottom. Young buffalo feed on copepods and cladocerans, while adults opportunistically consume zooplankton, insect larvae, mollusk larvae, small crustaceans, algae, and small bivalves like Asiatic clams.

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