Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Also called Buffalo spp.
The bigmouth buffalo is the largest member of the sucker family and one of the longest-lived freshwater fish species in North America. It has a deep, compressed body with a large, oblique mouth and can live over 100 years.
Bigmouth Buffalo at a glance
- Scientific name
- Ictiobus cyprinellus
- Typical size
- 15-25 inches, 5-30 lbs
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Rare
Habitat
Bigmouth buffalo inhabit large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs throughout the Mississippi River basin and Great Lakes region. They prefer deeper waters with soft bottoms and are typically caught by anglers using bottom fishing techniques with worms, cut bait, or dough balls. They are often targeted during spawning runs in shallow areas during spring.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a bigmouth buffalo through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksBigmouth Buffalo questions people ask
Bigmouth Buffalo is Ictiobus cyprinellus. Anglers also call it Buffalo spp.
A typical bigmouth buffalo runs 15-25 inches, 5-30 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every bigmouth buffalo you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Bigmouth buffalo inhabit large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs throughout the Mississippi River basin and Great Lakes region. They prefer deeper waters with soft bottoms and are typically caught by anglers using bottom fishing techniques with worms, cut bait, or dough balls. They are often targeted during spawning runs in shallow areas during spring. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.