Bigmouth Buffalo in Saskatchewan

The bigmouth buffalo is Saskatchewan's largest sucker. They can grow up to a metre long and can weigh up to 25kg (55lbs).
They can only be found in the Qu'Appelle River valley in the province.
Habitat
Bigmouth buffalo prefer turbid, highly eutrophic waters. In the spring and summer they occupy warm shallow protected bays.
Similar Species
- Common Carp. Bigmouth buffalo are often confused for the non-native common carp. A carp can be identified by its distinct whisker-like barbells around its mouth. The bigmouth buffalo does not have these barbells.
Details
Scientific name: | Ictiobus cyprinellus |
Avg. weight: | 3 to 6 kg (6.6 to 13.23 lbs) |
Conservation status: | Least Concern |
Also known as: | redmouth buffalo, buffalofish, roundhead, brown buffalo |
Distribution: | Found in 8 waters in Saskatchewan |
Distribution
See where Bigmouth Buffalo can be found in Saskatchewan.
All lakes with Bigmouth Buffalo
Lakes with Bigmouth Buffalo











Katepwa Lake is a large lake in southern Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Resort Village of the District of Katepwa and 64km WSW of Melville. Katepwa Point Provincial Park is adjacent to Katepwa Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Southern Zone |
Photos: | 33 photos of Katepwa Lake |
RM: | North Qu'Appelle No. 187, Abernethy No. 186, Indian Head No. 156 |
Communities: | Resort Village of the District of Katepwa, Taylor Beach, Lake View Beach, Berry Hills Estates |
Parks: | Katepwa Point Provincial Park |
Location: | 50.70333532393, -103.64394315607 |
Shore Length: | 27km |
Surface Area: | 4018 acres |
Max Width: | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) |
Max Length: | 9.9 km (6.2 mi) |
Max Depth: | 23.2 m (76 ft) |
Inflows: | Qu'Appelle River |
Outflows: | Qu'Appelle River |











Buffalo Pound Lake is a very large stocked lake in southern Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and 29km N of Moose Jaw. Last stocked with walleye in 2024 Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is adjacent to Buffalo Pound Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Southern Zone |
Photos: | 35 photos of Buffalo Pound Lake |
RM: | Dufferin No. 190, Moose Jaw No. 161 |
Parks: | Buffalo Pound Provincial Park |
Location: | 50.656265550525, -105.49993742485 |
Shore Length: | 76km |
Surface Area: | 7093 acres |
Max Depth: | 5.6 m (18 ft) |
Inflows: | Qu'Appelle River |
Outflows: | Qu'Appelle River |













Crooked Lake is a large lake in southern Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Crooked Lake Provincial Park and 37km S of Melville. Crooked Lake Provincial Park is adjacent to Crooked Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Southern Zone |
Photos: | 55 photos of Crooked Lake |
RM: | Elcapo No. 154, Grayson No. 184 |
Communities: | Melville Beach, Moose Bay Hamlet, Sunset Beach Hamlet, Grenfell Beach, Exne's Twin Bays |
Parks: | Crooked Lake Provincial Park |
Location: | 50.605666561126, -102.73304456297 |
Shore Length: | 36km |
Surface Area: | 3977 acres |
Max Depth: | 15 m (49 ft) |
Inflows: | Qu'Appelle River |
Outflows: | Qu'Appelle River |











Echo Lake is a large lake in southern Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Fort Qu'Appelle and 67km NE of Regina. Echo Valley Provincial Park is adjacent to Echo Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Southern Zone |
Photos: | 20 photos of Echo Lake |
RM: | North Qu'Appelle No. 187 |
Communities: | Fort Qu'Appelle, Resort Village of B-Say-Tah, Resort Village of Fort San |
Parks: | Echo Valley Provincial Park, Valley Centre Recreation Site |
Location: | 50.792640420978, -103.84446113548 |
Shore Length: | 18km |
Surface Area: | 3215 acres |
Max Width: | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) |
Max Length: | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
Max Depth: | 22 m (72 ft) |
Inflows: | Qu'Appelle River at Sioux Crossing |
Outflows: | Qu'Appelle River |











Last Mountain Lake is a massive lake in southern Saskatchewan. It is located partially within Valeport Recreation Site and 77km NNW of Regina. Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area, Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary, Regina Beach Recreation Site, Rowan's Ravine Provincial Park, Last Mountain House Provincial Park, Valeport Recreation Site, Etter's Beach Recreation Site, Saskatchewan Beach Regional Park and Last Mountain Regional Park are located at Last Mountain Lake.
Fishing Zone: | Southern Zone |
Photos: | 10 photos of Last Mountain Lake |
RM: | McKillop No. 220, Longlaketon No. 219, Wreford No. 280, Last Mountain Valley No. 250, Big Arm No. 251, Sarnia No. 221 |
Communities: | Regina Beach, Wee Too Beach, Pelican Pointe, Etters Beach, Lumsden Beach, Grandview Beach, Buena Vista, Saskatchewan Beach, Glen Harbour, Silton, Alice Beach, Kannata Valley, Lipp's Beach, Sorensen Beach, Colesdale Park, Sarnia Beach, Alta Vista, Mohr's Beach, Uhl's Bay, Collingwood Lakeshore Estates, Spring Bay, Arlington Beach, Resort Village of Island View |
Parks: | Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area, Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary, Regina Beach Recreation Site, Rowan's Ravine Provincial Park, Last Mountain House Provincial Park, Valeport Recreation Site, Etter's Beach Recreation Site, Saskatchewan Beach Regional Park, Valeport Wildlife Management Unit, Last Mountain Lake Wildlife Management Unit, Last Mountain Regional Park |
Location: | 51.071438585875, -105.12899448392 |
Shore Length: | 352km |
Surface Area: | 55203 acres |
Max Width: | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
Max Length: | 93 km (58 mi) |
Max Depth: | 40 m (130 ft) |
Inflows: | Lanigan Creek, Lewis Creek, Arm River |
Outflows: | Last Mountain Creek |
Learn more about fish species found in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Freshwater Fishes - Waterproof Guide Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigmouth_buffalo
- https://www.pcap-sk.org/rsu_docs/documents/bigmouthbuffalo0117.pdf
- https://swf.sk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BIGMOUTH-BUFFALO.pdf
- https://wcvmtoday.usask.ca/articles/2019/05/turning-the-tide-for-the-bigmouth-buffalo-fish.php
- https://igfa.org/game-fish-database/?search_type=SpeciesID&search_term_1=101
- https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/parks-culture-heritage-and-sport/hunting-trapping-and-angling/angling/season-dates-and-limits