Bigmouth buffalo in Wisconsin
Seasons, records and abundance for bigmouth buffalo.
- None; no minimum lenlimit
- 76 lbs. 8 oz.record
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Where bigmouth buffalo fit in Wisconsin fishing
On the WDNR list, Bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) belongs to the Suckers (Catostomidae); the hook and line guide calls it rough fish. Row one of the Wisconsin table (general inland waters): None; no minimum length; season Open all year.
The WDNR record list shows 76 lbs. 8 oz. from Petenwell Flowage, 2013, in the hook and line category.
Keeping bigmouth buffalo in Wisconsin
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | Open all year |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Winnebago System waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Wisconsin bigmouth buffalo record entries
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 76 lbs. 8 oz. | Petenwell Flowage | Adams | 2013 |
| alternate method | 94 lbs. 3 oz. | Petenwell Flowage | Adams | 2020 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Other species near bigmouth buffalo on the list
- White suckerSuckers (Catostomidae)
- Smallmouth buffaloSuckers (Catostomidae)
- QuillbackSuckers (Catostomidae)
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Photo: Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Harry Malsch, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
bigmouth buffalo in Wisconsin, answered briefly
How many bigmouth buffalo may I keep in Wisconsin?
None; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
How big is the Wisconsin record bigmouth buffalo?
76 lbs. 8 oz. from Petenwell Flowage in 2013 (hook and line).
Which lakes rate best for bigmouth buffalo?
It does not appear on a water page.
Do Wisconsin hatcheries raise bigmouth buffalo?
The WDNR summary lists none.
Is bigmouth buffalo native to Wisconsin?
Ictiobus cyprinellus, Suckers (Catostomidae); rough fish.
What season dates cover bigmouth buffalo?
Open all year on general inland waters.
Which Wisconsin license do I need for bigmouth buffalo?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Can I hire a Wisconsin guide for bigmouth buffalo?
No guide listing mentions it.
Pick a lake for bigmouth buffalo
Open a listed lake for landings and seasons.