A bottom feeding fish, this species will feed on insect larvae, algae, detritus and other bottom forage. They can be taken by anglers by using nightcrawlers, dough balls, cut bait and can often be caught with fly fishing tackle. This species will put up an exceptional fight and is known to be excellent table fare. The meat has a delicate firmness and is known to be an even better eating fish than the bigmouth buffalo. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:
This species resembles its large relative, the bigmouth buffalo (largest of the sucker family), closely in most respects, but can be distinguished by a number of factors. It is generally lighter in color than other buffalos, having an olive-bronze cast. The body of the smallmouth buffalo is also somewhat more compressed with a higher arch in the back, and its small, subterminal mouth is horizontally orientated instead of slanted like the mouth of the bigmouth buffalo. However, when feeding, the smallmouth buffalo’s mouth protracts downward in typical sucker-like fashion.