Smallmouth Buffalo in Illinois
Digest rows, record weight and lakes holding Illinois smallmouth buffalo.
- no statewide rowlimit
- 51 lbs 0 ozrecord
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Illinois smallmouth buffalo, the short version
The Illinois statewide table in the digest leaves smallmouth buffalo unnamed. Local entries in the digest for a lake or river still count.
The Illinois bow and arrow record stands at 51 lbs 0 oz, from Ohio River in 2013.
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| Division | Weight | Water | County | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bow and arrow | 51 lbs 0 oz | Ohio River | Pope County | December 19, 2013 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Fish sharing a row with Illinois smallmouth buffalo
- Bigmouth Buffalono statewide row
- Black Buffalono statewide row
Prairie lakes and river bottoms near Smallmouth Buffalo, photographed
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Village of Oak Lawn, CC BY 2.0
Land of Lincoln questions on smallmouth buffalo
Which digest row limits smallmouth buffalo?
The statewide table skips it, so see the site-specific rules where you fish.
When was the Illinois smallmouth buffalo record set?
It weighed 51 lbs 0 oz; Ohio River, 2013. IDNR leaves the angler unnamed.
What Illinois lake should I try for smallmouth buffalo?
No Illinois lake or river page on this site names it yet.
Which Illinois waters change the smallmouth buffalo rule?
None of the site-specific entries mention it by name; all-fish gear rules still apply.
Does IDNR stock smallmouth buffalo?
No stocking row names it from 2021 to 2026.
What paperwork does IDNR require for smallmouth buffalo?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Can a bowfished smallmouth buffalo set an Illinois record?
One division for hook and line, one for bow and arrow. This fish holds 1 record row.
Do IDNR surveys rate smallmouth buffalo anywhere?
No outlook grade for it appears on the lake pages.
Set out for Illinois smallmouth buffalo
Every lake linked above lists its piers and docks.