Bigmouth Buffalo in Illinois
Daily limit, record and water pages for Illinois bigmouth buffalo.
- no statewide rowlimit
- 48 lbs 0 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not an Illinois water: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
bigmouth buffalo in the Prairie State
The 2026 digest table carries no statewide line naming bigmouth buffalo. Rules printed for a particular lake or river can still apply to it.
The heaviest on the IDNR hook and line list weighed 48 lbs 0 oz: Mississippi River, 1936. Of 2 Illinois pages listing it, the largest are Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) and Mermet State Lake.
bigmouth buffalo in the IDNR record book
| Division | Weight | Water | County | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 48 lbs 0 oz | Mississippi River | Adams County | January 1, 1936 |
| bow and arrow | 49 lbs 15 oz | Mermet State Lake | Massac County | March 20, 2010 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
How IDNR biologists grade bigmouth buffalo lake by lake
| Lake | IDNR rating | County |
|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) | Poor | Madison County |
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026.
Where Illinois bigmouth buffalo show up
Illinois lakes listing bigmouth buffalo
- Horseshoe Lake (Madison County)2,107 acres
- Mermet State Lake452 acres
IDNR IFishIllinois outlook ratings and species lists, the IDNR stocking table and IDNR record waters; largest waters first.
Species the digest groups with bigmouth buffalo
- Black Buffalono statewide row
- Smallmouth Buffalono statewide row
Lakes and river bends close to Bigmouth Buffalo, in pictures
Photo: uptowner, CC BY 2.0
Photo: edward stojakovic, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Charles Fulton, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
bigmouth buffalo in Illinois: replies for anglers
What daily take of bigmouth buffalo does Illinois permit?
No statewide digest row names it; a water's own entry may still apply.
What is the Illinois record bigmouth buffalo?
IDNR lists 48 lbs 0 oz, Mississippi River, 1936. IDNR prints no angler name.
Which Illinois lakes list bigmouth buffalo?
2 Illinois pages, Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) and Mermet State Lake first.
Where does the bigmouth buffalo rule change in Illinois?
Site-specific entries do not name it; posted all-fish rules on a water still apply.
How many bigmouth buffalo did IDNR stock?
No 2021 to 2026 stocking row lists it.
Which IDNR license lets me keep bigmouth buffalo?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Which IDNR list would a record bigmouth buffalo go on?
IDNR keeps a hook and line division and a bow and arrow division. IDNR has 2 record rows under this fish.
Which Illinois lakes does IDNR rate highly for bigmouth buffalo?
Top of the list: Horseshoe Lake (Madison County), poor, among 1 graded lakes.
Pick a Prairie State lake for bigmouth buffalo
The waters above each show access and limits.