The Largest Bigmouth Buffalo Ever Caught in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to some very serious fishermen. In fact, friendly competition in this state for the largest catches is fierce, and many residents are involved in the sport. Let’s discover just how big the largest bigmouth buffalo ever caught in the state of Oklahoma was and discuss similar record-breaking fish.

Bigmouth Buffalo in Oklahoma: A Brief Overview

Unlike other fish that live in American waters, the bigmouth buffalo is endemic to the United States. These fish belong to the sucker family, Catostomidae. However, these fish are unique from other suckers in that they filter feed. Their diet is primarily comprised of smaller fish and invertebrates that live on the bottom of the water. These fish lay thousands of eggs during their breeding season which takes place in the late spring and early summer. The average bigmouth buffalo has a lifespan that lasts about a decade. However, the oldest living bigmouth buffalo lived to be over a century old. These fish are edible, and many anglers choose to cook them after capturing them.

How Large Was the Biggest Bigmouth Buffalo Caught in Oklahoma?

Throughout the years, countless gigantic fish have come from the state of Oklahoma. However, one bigmouth buffalo stands out among the rest. According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the largest bigmouth buffalo caught in the state of Oklahoma weighed in at 66 pounds and 4 ounces. This incredible fish was caught in Greenleaf Lake by angler Boe Meehan. Since this record was first set, countless fishermen from Oklahoma have attempted to beat it. However, no one has been successful yet. Despite this, with so many people involved in this hobby, we may still see it overturned someday in the future.

Who Holds the Record for the Largest Bigmouth Buffalo Ever Caught?

According to the International Game Fish Association, the world record for the largest bigmouth buffalo is held by Delbert Sisk of Louisiana. This angler caught a massive bigmouth buffalo that weighed in at 70 pounds and 5 ounces on April 21st, 1980. Unfortunately, the record for the largest bigmouth buffalo caught in the world is unclear.

How to Catch Bigmouth Buffalo

Catching bigmouth buffalo in Oklahoma can be a fun and exciting hobby to get into. Luckily, setting yourself up for success is relatively easy. Bigmouth buffalo live in several different places throughout the state of Oklahoma. The best time of the year to set out is during the spring, and fishing at night time typically yields better results. While many fishermen use a classic rod and line to catch their bigmouth buffalo, other methods such as bow and spear fishing have become more common. Unlike other fish, bigmouth buffalo are notorious for swimming close to the surface, making these methods more viable.

Final Thoughts

Fishing for bigmouth buffalo is quite easy to get into. Because of this, this activity is equally as fun for new and experienced fishermen alike. Many people take up this hobby each year, which means that more people are vying for this record annually. With so many impassioned hearts participating in this sport, we might just see someone catch an even larger bigmouth buffalo sometime soon!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © USFWS Mountain-Prairie / CCO – License / Original