Buffalo

Ictiobus cyprinellus

Species Overview

Physical Characteristics

Buffalo fish are large, deep-bodied members of the sucker family with a distinctive humped appearance. Smallmouth buffalo have a small, downward-pointing mouth positioned below the eye, while bigmouth buffalo have a larger, more terminal mouth at eye level.

They have large, thick scales and no barbels. The body is typically bronze, olive-green, or grayish dorsally, fading to white or yellow on the belly. They resemble carp but lack the barbels and serrated dorsal fin spine that carp possess.

Buffalo fish have a characteristic keel on the forward part of the back.

Fishing Information

Size Range

20-40 inches

Peak Season

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Ice Fishing)

Best Baits

small jigs, natural baits, flies

Fishing Guide

Best Fishing Times:

Dawn, Morning, Midday, Afternoon, Dusk, Night
Peak Fishing Seasons:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Ice Fishing)
Recommended Lures:

small jigs, natural baits, flies
Abundance in Chain:

Uncommon
Fighting Quality:

Excellent Fighter

Habitat & Behavior

Preferred Habitat:

Slow-moving rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
Areas with muddy or silty bottoms rich in organic matter
Backwater areas and floodplains
Prefer turbid (cloudy) waters
Often found in deeper water during day, moving to shallows at night to feed

Behavioral Characteristics:

Bottom-dwelling fish that feed by filtering sediment
More active during summer months
Tolerant of poor water quality and low oxygen
Often found in schools
Spawn in spring/summer when water reaches 60-70°F
Eggs scattered over bottom with no parental care

Spawning Season & Behavior

Spring Spawn: April-June (when water reaches 60-70°F)

Peak Times: Dawn and dusk

Water Temperature: Most active when water temps are 65-80°F

Spring: Good during spawning runs in shallow areas

Night Fishing: Can be very productive

Conservation Status

Status: Present but conservation concern growing nationally

Population Health: Populations present in Fox Chain O’Lakes but abundance uncertain. The species’ extreme longevity means current populations may contain very old fish with limited recruitment of younger individuals.

Conservation Concern: Recent scientific research revealing 100+ year lifespans has raised alarm about unsustainable harvest through bowfishing and commercial netting. Fish that took decades to reach large size can be removed in minutes.

Ecological Role: Important filter feeders and bottom processors that help maintain water quality. Bigmouth buffalo filter algae while smallmouth buffalo process bottom sediments.

Threats: Bowfishing tournaments targeting large buffalo as “rough fish,” misidentification as invasive carp, habitat degradation of spawning areas, and episodic recruitment failures.

Best Practices: Consider releasing large buffalo — that 30-pound fish may be older than you are. Learn to distinguish buffalo from carp to avoid harvesting native species.

Fishing Techniques

Bottom Fishing/Still Fishing:

Use slip sinker or Carolina rig
Fish near bottom in areas with organic matter
Be patient – bites can be subtle

Drift Fishing:

Allow bait to drift naturally along bottom

Bow Fishing:

Popular for bigmouth buffalo as they often swim near surface

Current Regulations

Daily Limit:

No Limit
Minimum Length:

No Limit
Special Rules:
- No special regulations specific to buffalo fish at Fox Chain O’Lakes
- General Fox Chain regulations apply (license, watercraft permits)
- Fox Waterway Agency requires annual user fee/sticker for watercraft
- Trot line fishing is permitted in Fox Chain (could be used for buffalo)