Identification
Compared with Bigmouth Buffalo, its mouth is smaller and lower on the head. Compared with Smallmouth Buffalo, the body is relatively thicker and less deep. These shape differences are more dependable than color alone.
Size and Weight
Published maximum total length is 123 cm, about 48.4 inches. Missouri documented a 74-pound fish taken by bow in March 2016 and weighed on certified scales. This regional alternative-method record exceeds older published weight summaries; it is separate from the length figure.
Habitat and Natural Food
Black Buffalo often occupies definite current and deeper river habitat. It takes bottom foods, including clams, crustaceans and algae. Lakes can support it, but an individual record catch does not prove a lake has the largest population.
Fishing Context
The species supports commercial and recreational fisheries. A Texas rod-and-reel record lists a coho minnow as bait, providing a documented catch example rather than proof of a universally best offering. Rules differ between hook-and-line and alternative methods.
Built to Feed Near the Bottom
Its small fleshy mouth suits gathering food close to the riverbed. That feeding role differs from the more open-water plankton feeding of Bigmouth Buffalo, even though the two fishes share a similar large-bodied silhouette.
All Lakes With Black Buffalo
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Black 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 81 lakes · Page 1 of 4
- Albemarle Lake East Carroll, LA
- Aliceville Lake Pickens, AL
- Atoka Reservoir Atoka, OK
- Bartholomew Lake Ouachita, LA
- Belton Lake Bell, TX
- Brushy Lake Tensas, LA
- Bussey Brake Morehouse, LA
- Caddo Lake Caddo, LA
- Cane River Lake Natchitoches, LA
- Caney Creek Reservoir Jackson, LA
- Canton Lake Blaine, OK
- Catahoula Lake LaSalle, LA
- Chotard Lake East Carroll, LA
- Claiborne Lake Monroe, AL
- Clear Lake One De Soto, LA
- Coffeeville Lake Marengo, AL
- Desoto Lake Phillips, AR
- Eufaula Lake McIntosh, OK
- Fort Cobb Reservoir Caddo, OK
- Fort Gibson Lake Wagoner, OK
- Foss Reservoir Custer, OK
- Gainesville Lake Greene, AL
- Grand Lake O' The Cherokees Delaware, OK
- Great Salt Plains Lake Alfalfa, OK