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Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo

Smallmouth Buffalo are not native to South Carolina but have established populations since their introduction by unknown means, with documented presence from 1986-2009.

These stocky fish are often mistaken for carp but belong to the sucker family (Catostomidae) and lack the barbels characteristic of carp.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus bubalus

Physical Characteristics:
  • They have deep, highly compressed bodies with bronze to slate olive coloring that lightens with age, slate brown fins, and distinctive small, downturned sucker mouths with 180-190 small teeth per arch.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit oxbow lakes, abandoned channels, and main river sections.

Key Locations

  • In South Carolina, they're found in multiple river systems including the Carolina Coastal-Sampit, Lower and Upper Broad River, Lower and Upper Catawba, Lower Pee Dee, Santee, and Wateree watersheds.
  • The Pee Dee River system is particularly notable.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas with fine substrates, dense aquatic vegetation, and silty bottoms in calm eddies, deeper holes, and current breaks.

Smallmouth Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective baits include nightcrawlers, dough balls (particularly corn puffs packed with bread crumbs, soybean meal, and cream style corn), cut bait, semolina balls, corn, and range cubes for pre-baiting areas.

What flies work for Smallmouth Buffalo in South Carolina?

For fly fishing, use carp-style patterns like woolly buggers, marabou jigs (1/100 oz), carp crack, foxy lady patterns, glo bugs, and small foam patterns during surface feeding. Bloodworms and mayfly patterns also produce results.

How do you catch Smallmouth Buffalo in South Carolina?

Pre-bait areas with range cubes, birdseed, corn, and flavored attractants to concentrate fish. Present flies quietly and precisely, often requiring the fly to be placed directly in their feeding lane with minimal movement to trigger strikes.

What do Smallmouth Buffalo eat?

These bottom feeders are opportunistic, with juveniles eating copepods, cladocerans, algae, duckweed, protozoans, rotifers, and insect larvae.

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