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Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo

The Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) is a large, native catostomid (sucker family) fish found in Michigan's Lake Michigan drainage and connecting river systems.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus bubalus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These stocky fish have deep, highly compressed bodies with bronze or slate olive backs and bronze sides that lighten with age.
  • They feature a distinctive small, horizontal mouth positioned ventrally, 180-190 small fragile teeth per arch, and a sickle-shaped dorsal fin.
  • Adults typically reach 40-60 cm (16-24 inches) with some specimens growing to 30 kg (66 pounds).
  • Despite being called 'buffalo,' they lack the barbels found on carp and are actually in the sucker family.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • found in Michigan's Lake Michigan drainage and connecting river systems.
  • In Michigan, they inhabit deeper waters than their bigmouth buffalo relatives.

Key Locations

  • In Michigan, focus on Lake Michigan drainage areas, connecting rivers, and deeper sections of inland lakes.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas with dense aquatic vegetation over silty bottoms.
  • Target areas near rocky structure, drop-offs, and vegetation edges where they forage.
  • They show preference for fine substrates.

Smallmouth Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Smallmouth Buffalo in Michigan?

carp crack patterns, woolly buggers, glo bugs, and small stonefly nymph imitations in sizes that match local forage. Effective fly patterns include marabou jigs (1/100 oz), carp tease, backstabber patterns, and bonefish butter flies.

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

The best fishing occurs from May through October, with peak activity during summer months. Avoid fishing during spawning periods (April-June) to protect reproducing fish.

How do you catch Smallmouth Buffalo in Michigan?

These bottom feeders respond well to still fishing and drift fishing techniques. For fly fishing, present flies slowly near the bottom or in their feeding lanes. When sight fishing, present the fly directly in front of feeding fish as they won't chase lures aggressively.

What do Smallmouth Buffalo eat?

Smallmouth Buffalo are detritivores and opportunistic feeders, using their ventral sucker mouths to consume zooplankton, insect larvae, mollusk larvae, small crustaceans, algae, and organic matter from lake and river bottoms. Young fish feed primarily on copepods and cladocerans.

Where do Smallmouth Buffalo live in Michigan?

found in Michigan's Lake Michigan drainage and connecting river systems. In Michigan, they inhabit deeper waters than their bigmouth buffalo relatives.

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