State Record Broken: Biggest Smallmouth Buffalo Caught In Texas Waters

A monumental catch was made at Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX when a massive smallmouth buffalo fish weighing over 70 pounds set a new state record. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced the record-breaking catch on Friday, September 6, through a post on X (formerly Twitter).

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New Record in the Books

The fish, caught by Austin Anderson on June 10, tipped the scales at an impressive 71.63 pounds and measured 44.5 inches long. This massive catch now holds the record for the largest smallmouth buffalo landed by rod and reel in Texas waters. While smallmouth buffalo fish can grow even larger—records show specimens over 82 pounds caught by rod and reel—the heaviest ever landed using a trotline weighed 97 pounds, according to TPWD.

Understanding the Smallmouth Buffalo

Though they may sometimes be mistaken for common carp, smallmouth buffalo are distinct in several ways. Unlike carp, buffalo lack the prominent barrels and instead feature a sucker-type mouth positioned downward. Their coloration varies from light brown to coppery hues, often with a greenish tint. The smallmouth buffalo, as opposed to its bigmouth cousin, is primarily a bottom-feeder, thriving on insect larvae, algae, and sand found in riverbeds and lakes.

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A Native Species with a Mysterious Life History

Native to larger tributaries of the Mississippi River, smallmouth buffalo are found in waterways ranging from Montana to Pennsylvania and as far south as the Rio Grande. In Texas, these fish are widespread in large streams, rivers, and reservoirs, though they are rarely spotted in the Panhandle. Despite their range, the life history of smallmouth buffalo remains poorly understood. Spawning typically occurs in the spring when water temperatures rise between 60 to 65 degrees. Eggs are laid in mud-bottomed areas, hatching in one to two weeks, continuing the cycle of these enigmatic giants.