Description
Non-native. Introduced in 1918. Heavy bodied fish, back is gray to olive-bronze
with green-copper reflections. Sides, black to olive-yellow; Belly,
pale yellow to white. Head large and ovoid with a sharply oblique,
terminal mouth. No barbels or spines. Length: 12 to 41 inches. Weight:
1 to over 39 pounds.
Location and
Habitat
Found only in Apache and Roosevelt Lakes.
Food
They are plankton feeders, eating mostly algae and crustaceans.
Angling
These fish are rarely caught by rod and reel, but successful anglers have
used small hooks hidden in dough balls. In addition to angling, bigmouth
buffalo may also be taken by bow and arrow, crossbow, snare, gig, spear
and speargun as long as none of these methods are practiced within two
hundred yards of any boat dock or designated swimming area.
Table
Quality
The meat is firm, white, flaky and good tasting.
