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Black Buffalo

Black Buffalo

Black Buffalo are native freshwater fish found throughout Mississippi's river systems, particularly the Mississippi River basin.

They're the largest of the buffalo fish species and are notoriously difficult to catch and seldom targeted by recreational anglers, making them one of the most challenging freshwater species to pursue.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus niger

Also known as buoy tender, current buffalo

Physical Characteristics:
  • Often weighing over 80 pounds and reaching lengths up to 48 inches.
  • These robust fish have a distinctive gunmetal blue to dark coloration, lacking the brassy luster of bigmouth buffalo, with a slightly compressed, almost round body and large rounded head with a small ventral mouth and thick lips.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They prefer habitats with strong currents and deep waters.
  • They also inhabit large interior rivers, impoundments, reservoirs, and occasionally turbid, mud-bottomed shallow overflow ponds and sloughs.

Key Locations

  • Mississippi River basin, particularly the Mississippi River, large interior rivers, impoundments, reservoirs.
  • In Mississippi, they're more abundant in the un-impounded section of the Mississippi River below the mouth of the Missouri River than in the canalized sections above.

Specific Spots

  • Focus fishing efforts in tailwater zones below dams, side channel borders, and main channel borders in depths of 4+ meters with moderate current flow.
  • Focus on deep pools over sand, gravel, and rock substrates.

Black Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Black Buffalo in Mississippi?

Natural baits that mimic their diet work best: corn, dough balls, earthworms, and algae-based prepared baits. Small pieces of clam or crayfish can be effective.

When is the best time to fish for Black Buffalo in Mississippi?

The best fishing occurs outside their spawning period (avoid late April through June), with fall through early spring offering the most ethical opportunities.

How do you catch Black Buffalo in Mississippi?

Traditional rod and reel fishing with slip-sinker rig to keep bait on the bottom. Modern bowfishing has become more common, particularly in shallow waters during low-light conditions. Sabiki rigs with multiple small hooks decorated with luminescent material can trigger feeding responses.

What do Black Buffalo eat?

Black Buffalo are benthic feeders with a varied diet including small mollusks (particularly Asiatic clams), aquatic insects and their larvae, small crustaceans, algae, diatoms, and other animal matter.

Where do Black Buffalo live in Mississippi?

They prefer habitats with strong currents and deep waters. They also inhabit large interior rivers, impoundments, reservoirs, and occasionally turbid, mud-bottomed shallow overflow ponds and sloughs.

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