Buffalo Sculpin

Enophrys bison

Buffalo sculpin is a bottom-dwelling sculpin of cold North Pacific coastal waters, usually found over rocky or mixed seabeds. It lies in wait and ambushes small invertebrates and fish near the bottom.

Saltwater

Buffalo Sculpin reference image — https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/habitat/FishAtlas/speciespage.htm, public-domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Large, bony head with a very wide mouth typical of sculpins
Mottled brown-olive camouflage with a bottom-matching pattern
Armored-looking body with prominent spines on the head and gill cover

Habitat

Cold temperate to subarctic coastal waters of the North Pacific, especially rocky reefs, kelp-edge structure, tidepool margins, and mixed sand-and-rock bottoms in shallow nearshore areas.

Bait notes

Small pieces of shrimp, squid, clam, or cut bait work well. Small jigs, soft plastics bounced on bottom, and baited hooks fished tight to structure can produce strikes.

Behavior

A benthic ambush predator that forages on crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and small fishes. It stays close to cover, often resting on the bottom and making short bursts to seize prey.

Caution

Handle carefully: sculpins have sharp, stout spines and can inflict painful punctures. Check local regulations before retaining fish, and avoid consuming any fish from polluted waters.

Fishing notes

Fish low and slow near rocks, kelp, pilings, or eelgrass edges with light tackle and sensitive sinkers. Keep presentations near bottom; this is not a species that usually chases fast-moving lures far off the bottom.