Bigmouth Buffalo
The Bigmouth Buffalo is the largest member of the sucker family in Minnesota, capable of reaching over 3 feet in length and weighing more than 50 pounds.
These fish are notoriously difficult to catch on traditional hook-and-line methods, making them a challenging but rewarding target.
Scientific Name: Ictiobus cyprinellus
- Unlike other suckers, it has a terminal mouth at the front of its face rather than downward-facing, and lacks barbels that carp possess.
- These fish display variable coloration from green to gold to almost black with a distinctive coppery sheen.
Fishing in Minnesota
Mississippi River
Sauk River
Rum River
Lake Minnetonka
Mille Lacs Lake
Crow River
Snake River
Little Rock Lake
Julia Lake
Long Lake
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- In Minnesota, Bigmouth Buffalo inhabit lakes and rivers throughout most of the state except the Lake Superior watershed, thriving in slow-moving waters, backwaters, oxbow lakes, and floodplains of major river systems.
Key Locations
- Target slow-moving waters including backwater areas of the Mississippi River system, oxbow lakes, and the lower reaches of the Minnesota River.
- They inhabit lakes and rivers throughout most of the state except the Lake Superior watershed, thriving in major river systems including the Mississippi, Minnesota, St.
- Croix, and Red River systems.
Specific Spots
- Look for areas with muddy or silty bottoms, particularly around submerged vegetation where they filter-feed.
- They prefer muddy, silty bottoms.
- Target areas with low water velocity (under 30 cm/s) and depths typically under 16 feet, though they can be found in shallows during feeding periods.
Bigmouth Buffalo FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Bigmouth Buffalo in Minnesota?
The most successful baits include bread or dough balls, corn, small prepared baits with strong scents, and cut bait. Traditional live baits are less effective since they primarily eat plankton and small organisms.
What flies work for Bigmouth Buffalo in Minnesota?
For fly fishing, small nymph patterns can be effective, particularly those imitating chironomids or small crustaceans.
When is the best time to fish for Bigmouth Buffalo in Minnesota?
Spring through early summer offers the most productive fishing, though avoid April-June spawning periods.
How do you catch Bigmouth Buffalo in Minnesota?
Focus presentations near the bottom using drift fishing or still fishing techniques, as these fish spend most time in deeper water or along the bottom filtering food.
What do Bigmouth Buffalo eat?
Unlike typical suckers, Bigmouth Buffalo are filter feeders, straining plankton, copepods, cladocerans, algae, chironomids, and small crustaceans from the water column. They also consume aquatic insects, mollusks, small fish, and fish e.g.gs.
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