Identification
The large mouth opens forward and upward rather than pointing strongly down beneath the head. Bigmouth Buffalo lack the mouth barbels of Common Carp. The long dorsal fin and rounded body help distinguish them from many other native suckers.
Size and Weight
A published size summary gives 123 cm total length, approximately four feet. A state species account reports an upper weight of 80 pounds, about 36.3 kg. These are separate reported maxima; ordinary adults are much smaller. Some compilations give larger lengths, but those values are not treated here as verified measured records.
Habitat and Natural Food
Lakes, reservoirs and slower river habitats support this native fish. It filters small invertebrates, including plankton, with specialized feeding structures. Despite its superficial resemblance to carp, it is part of the native sucker fauna and should be identified on its own features.
Fishing and Population Care
Its plankton-feeding habits do not make a generic carp-bait recipe a verified recommendation. Harvest rules vary, and its exceptional longevity makes population structure relevant to management. Many large adults can remain visible even when relatively few young fish have survived into the population.
A Fish Older Than Most People
Research in Saskatchewan documented Bigmouth Buffalo as old as 127 years. A large fish is not automatically that old, but the finding transforms how we understand the species: long-lived adults can bridge long intervals between successful generations.
All Lakes With Bigmouth Buffalo
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Bigmouth Buffalo records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
Showing 1–24 of 712 lakes · Page 1 of 30
- Aberdeen Lake Monroe, MS
- Albemarle Lake East Carroll, LA
- Albert Lea Lake Freeborn, MN
- Alice Wyth Lake Black Hawk, IA
- Aliceville Lake Pickens, AL
- Amber Lake Martin, MN
- Ambroson Pit (north) Winnebago, IA
- Amistad Reservoir Val Verde, TX
- Amory Pool Monroe, MS
- Anacoco Lake Vernon, LA
- Andrew Lake Kandiyohi, MN
- Anita Reservoir Yellowstone, MT
- Arapooish Pond Big Horn, MT
- Arkabutla Lake DeSoto, MS
- Artichoke Lake Big Stone, MN
- Atlantic Quarry Pond 2 Cass, IA
- Atlantic Quarry Pond 3 Cass, IA
- Atoka Reservoir Atoka, OK
- B A Steinhagen Lake Jasper, TX
- Ball Bluff Lake Aitkin, MN
- Ballantyne Lake Blue Earth, MN
- Bankhead Lake Tuscaloosa, AL
- Barnett Lake Jefferson, AR
- Barren River Lake Allen, KY