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Bigmouth Buffalo

Bigmouth Buffalo

The Bigmouth Buffalo is North America's largest member of the sucker family and one of the longest-lived freshwater fish, capable of living over 100 years.

In South Carolina, they have been documented in the Lower Pee Dee River drainage since 2009, though their population status remains unknown.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus cyprinellus

Physical Characteristics:

These fish are not native carp despite their similar appearance - they lack the serrated dorsal spine that carp possess and have a distinctive large, oblique terminal mouth with thin lips positioned almost level with their eyes.

Bigmouth Buffalo are brownish-olive to slate-blue above with lighter sides and white bellies, and can reach lengths over 4 feet and weights exceeding 70 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

They inhabit slow-moving rivers, backwaters, oxbows, lakes, and reservoirs, preferring waters less than 5 meters deep with high turbidity tolerance

Key Locations

Lower Pee Dee River drainage, Lower Pee Dee system

Specific Spots

Target slow-moving backwaters, oxbows, and areas with flooded vegetation

Bigmouth Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Bigmouth Buffalo in South Carolina?

Bread or dough balls work best when positioned with small hooks and allowed to sit motionless on the bottom. Cut bait and minnows can work but are less effective than scented dough baits.

What flies work for Bigmouth Buffalo in South Carolina?

Small weighted nymph patterns like woolly buggers, san juan worms, or saltwater bonefish flies in sizes 6-12 with lead dumbbell eyes for quick descent

When is the best time to fish for Bigmouth Buffalo in South Carolina?

The best fishing occurs during late fall through early spring when water temperatures are between 60-75°F, avoiding their April-June spawning period

How do you catch Bigmouth Buffalo in South Carolina?

Still fishing and drift fishing are most productive, with presentations requiring extreme finesse since buffalo will mouth baits extensively without moving, making bite detection difficult.

What do Bigmouth Buffalo eat?

Unlike other buffalo species, they are filter-feeders that consume primarily zooplankton including cladocerans and copepods, supplemented with chironomid larvae, algae, and small crustaceans. 90% of their diet consists of small crustaceans and plankton.

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