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Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo are deep-bodied native fish found throughout Mississippi's rivers, oxbow lakes, and reservoirs. These are challenging bottom-feeding fish that are rarely caught with rod and reel.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus bubalus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Stocky fish that are light to dark gray or black with a high arched back, large head, large eyes, and a small downward-turned mouth that distinguishes them from common carp (which lack barbels) and bigmouth buffalo.
  • They typically weigh 6-8 pounds but can reach up to 50 pounds and 36 inches in length.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Mississippi's rivers, oxbow lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • Mississippi's Yalobusha River, Ross Barnett Reservoir, and Mississippi's major river systems.

Specific Spots

  • Prefer deep, large streams, rivers, oxbow lakes, and reservoirs with dense aquatic vegetation and silty bottoms.
  • Target them in vegetated areas of lakes and ponds.
  • Fish deep structure, drop-offs near flats, and areas with fine substrates.

Smallmouth Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Worms fished on the bottom, doughballs, corn, nightcrawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Some anglers report success with unconventional 'spicy' baits like chili peppers or baits dipped in hot sauce.

What flies work for Smallmouth Buffalo in Mississippi?

Patterns that imitate their natural food sources: mayflies, bloodworms, small stonefly nymphs, glo bugs, marabou jigs, woolly buggers, and specialized patterns like 'carp crack' and 'foxy lady.' Cottonwood seed patterns during June-July, or small foam patterns.

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

Best targeted outside their March-May spawning season. During spawning period (March-May), avoid targeting them as they're focused on reproduction rather than feeding. June-July can be productive for surface feeding with cottonwood seed patterns when natural seeds are present.

How do you catch Smallmouth Buffalo in Mississippi?

Fish worms on the bottom. Use indicators to detect subtle takes when fly fishing. Fish flies on the bottom. In still water, they may feed on surface film - try patterns near eddies where they suck scum bubbles.

What do Smallmouth Buffalo eat?

Detritivores and opportunistic bottom feeders, consuming insects, mollusks, plants, algae, zooplankton, insect larvae, mollusk larvae, small crustaceans, copepods, cladocerans, and various vegetation.

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