Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022 - 25

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on the Range
by Rob Criswell
photos by the author
M
ost historians agree that the last buffalo living in
Pennsylvania met its demise sometime during
the 1790-1800 period. But, that is not precisely
accurate. Buffaloes still inhabit the large river valleys
of western Pennsylvania. Unlike the humped, bullish
mammals, these humpbacked bulls are fish that ply the
waters of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers.
Buffaloes are members of the sucker family-
Catostomidae. There are three species living in
Pennsylvania-the Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Buffalo, and
Smallmouth Buffalo. Its body shape begets its common
name, and genus name-Ictiobus-is Greek for " bull fish. "
The Smallmouth Buffalo and Black Buffalo exhibit the
typical sucker form, with downward facing mouths and
fleshy lips. The Bigmouth Buffalo is an exception to the
rule and unusual for a sucker. Its mouth is considered
terminal-located midway between the top and bottom of
the head.
Buffaloes truly meet the bull fish epithet, typically
ranging from 15- to 25-inches and 1- to 10-pounds as
adults. But, fish weighing up to 80 pounds have been
caught further down the Mississippi River drainage.
Not unlike the American Bison, our aquatic buffaloes
were driven from native habitats during the 1800s. In
1909, Arnold Ortmann, a scientist with the Carnegie
Museum of Natural History, wrote that " both the
Allegheny and Monongahela rivers are as badly polluted
as they possibly could be, and, consequently, it is not
astonishing that the Ohio immediately below Pittsburgh
is also in a deplorable condition. "
However, the condition of the rivers improved
immensely, thanks to the Clean Water Act of 1972,
which placed stringent limits on the amount of sewage
and industrial waste that could be discharged into the
state's waterways. And, the buffaloes came stampeding
back. Between 1820 and 1977, not a single buffalo was
documented from our Ohio drainage waters, but the
Smallmouth Buffalo is now one of the most common
suckers in the Three Rivers. The Black Buffalo is also
common now, but the Bigmouth Buffalo remains
elusive. The Smallmouth Buffalo and Bigmouth Buffalo
Smallmouth Buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus
Bigmouth Buffalo, Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo, Ictiobus niger
ENDANGERED
also swim in Lake Erie. The Pennsylvania Fish and
Boat Commission lists the Bigmouth Buffalo as an
endangered species.
Although difficult to catch on hook and line, anglers
seek these fish with worms, nightcrawlers, and dough
balls. Buffaloes are considered sporty when hooked and
tasty when cooked. Those interested in stalking these
humped bulls should consult the 1990 book, Fishing
for Buffalo: A Guide to the Pursuit and Cuisine of Carp,
Suckers, Eelpout, Gar, and Other Rough Fish.
When making the effort to catch one, it is good to
know Pennsylvania's buffalo " herds " have returned home
on the range.
July/August 2022
25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022

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