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Bigmouth Buffalo

Bigmouth Buffalo

Bigmouth Buffalo are native to Texas as part of the Mississippi River drainage system, though they're considered rare in the state and primarily found in eastern Texas waters.

They're the largest member of the sucker family and extraordinary freshwater gamefish. These remarkable fish are among the longest-lived freshwater species in North America.

Scientific Name: Ictiobus cyprinellus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Capable of reaching over 4 feet in length and 80 pounds.
  • Unlike carp (which they're often confused with), they are distinguished by their terminal, forward-facing mouth and lack of barbels or fin spines.
  • They have a deep, laterally compressed body with a long dorsal fin and coloration ranging from brownish olive to dark with a coppery sheen.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Slow-moving rivers, backwaters, oxbows, and large reservoirs, preferring shallow waters under 16 feet deep with muddy bottoms and high turbidity tolerance.

Key Locations

  • Eastern Texas waters, eastern Texas rivers.

Specific Spots

  • Target slow-moving sections, backwaters, oxbow lakes, and the deeper areas of reservoirs at depths of 10-20+ feet.
  • Prime locations include areas with muddy bottoms, vegetation, and high turbidity levels.
  • Focus on areas with submerged vegetation, current edges, drop-offs, and protected embayments.

Bigmouth Buffalo FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Bread or dough balls, corn, marshmallows, semolina balls, bloodworms, wax worms, maggots, and night crawlers. Small scented baits work particularly well since they rarely take live bait.

What flies work for Bigmouth Buffalo in Texas?

Small nymphs and midge patterns in sizes 8-10, including Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs, Pat's Rubber Leg, Prince Nymphs, and Hares Ear patterns in brown and olive colors. Streamers in white with olive-bronze backs.

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

Best success during spring through fall when water temperatures are between 72-100°F. Spawning occurs from April to June when water temperatures reach 55-79°F - this period should be avoided for fishing to protect reproductive success.

How do you catch Bigmouth Buffalo in Texas?

For fly fishing, present flies with a dead drift technique similar to trout fishing, or use a high-stick approach with short casts. Streamers can be quartered upstream and allowed to drift downstream.

What do Bigmouth Buffalo eat?

They're filter feeders, primarily consuming zooplankton (cladocerans and copepods), along with benthic insect larvae, crustaceans, algae, chironomids, ostracods, and detritus.

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