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Fishing Buffalo National River: what the data says
Ponca to Gilbert: America's first national river. bluff-pool smallmouth and goggle-eye. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Buffalo National River
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Riffle & run (mile 0.6) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Rock Bass fishing at Buffalo National River
Spring rock bass on Buffalo National River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Riffle & run (mile 0.6) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Channel Catfish fishing at Buffalo National River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 3.4) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 3.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 26.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 35.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 37.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 42.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Buffalo National River?
Buffalo National River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Buffalo National River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, rock bass on Buffalo National River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Buffalo National River?
Riffle & run (mile 0.6) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Buffalo National River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.