Let’s be real. Anything with “bull” in the name is sure to put up a good fight. That tells you what to expect from Bullhead fishing! These rough-and-tumble Catfish are often overlooked due to how common they are, not to mention how little expertise it takes to catch them. But, make no mistake – they’re robust for their size and offer good sport, if you give them the chance.
While anglers far and wide can – and do – catch Bullhead, there are a few tricks of the trade to learn. From differentiating between them and other Catfish to understanding the best techniques, finding out the right spots, and more… We’re here to help you understand all there is to know about this popular species.
How to Identify Bullhead
Bullhead Catfish (Ameiurus) – often referred to simply as “Bullhead” – are among the most common Catfish species in North America. Other names they go by include Mud Cats, Yellowbellies, Chuckleheads, and Fiddleheads.
There are more than seven types of Bullhead, but only three are of any interest to anglers. Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, and Yellow Bullhead are anglers’ favorites. These species are most densely concentrated in the eastern half of the US, but they also appear west of Montana and as far south as Mexico.
“Bulls” make themselves at home in warm, slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. Muddy waters and areas with lots of vegetation are especially good spots to fish for them. These fish will even tolerate pollution, leaving them present virtually everywhere.
Like all Catfish, Bullheads have barbels (like a cat’s whiskers) dangling from their chins. They also have an adipose fin, which is a soft, spineless fin located between their tail and their dorsal fin. True to the Catfish clan, these fish are covered in tastebuds rather than scales, which makes them especially slippery to handle.
At first glance, Bullhead look a lot like any other Catfish. But there are a few key differences to keep in mind. For one thing, Bullhead are short and stout compared to other species, with compressed snouts and rounded tails. Overall, their stature is a lot like that of a Bull Shark, which is no doubt why they share a similar name!
Comparing the main Bullhead species to each other is a little more difficult. Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) are the most common. They can grow up to 6 pounds, making them the largest of the three. As the name suggests, they’re very dark in color, with dark barbels to match. Their tail is slightly notched, which sets them apart from Brown and Yellow Bullhead. There’s another clue down at that end of the fish, which is a white or yellow crescent hugging the base of their tail.
Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) run much smaller and are often mottled in color. They also have dark barbels, so to tell them apart from Black Bullhead be sure to check out the tail end of these fish. Brown Bullhead have square tails with no notch, and you won’t find any pale markings around the base of the tail.
Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) are easy to recognize compared to their cousins. First, take a look at those whiskers, which will be yellow or white. If there’s still any room for doubt, their tail should appear completely rounded rather than notched or flat.
Best Bullhead Fishing Spots
Like other Catfish, Bullhead live in creeks, backwaters, and ponds, either along weed beds or hiding in deep holes. As one of the most common fish in the country, there’s no go-to spot for them. However, a few states known for especially good Bullhead fishing include:
New York
It’s said that Bullhead season in New York state kicks off as soon as the evening air is filled with the croaking of spring peeper frogs. Cue that sweet sound, and anglers are quick to haul out their rods, camping chairs, and lanterns, which they’ll continue to do all summer. You can take advantage of the Bullhead bite in just about any place where conditions are right. Well-known waters inlcude the St. Lawrence River, Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, and Lake Ontario.
Catfish, including Bullhead, are open to harvest year-round in New York, with no size or bag limits. Note that some waters have their own rules which differ from statewide regulations, so it’s always worth checking ahead of time.
North Carolina
North Carolina is another great state for Bullhead fishing, with no shortage of waters where you can find them. The portion of the Yadkin River above Idols Dam holds good numbers of these fish, as well as any lake or stream along the Coastal Plain or Piedmont region. If you’re after Bullhead specifically, keep an eye out for Flathead Catfish… Despite belonging to the same family, they’re Bullhead predators and you aren’t likely to find both in the same waters.
Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead are non-game fish in North Carolina, which makes state regulations for them fairly lenient. There’s no closed season or size limit for these fish. You can keep a mixed bag of up to 10 Bullhead.
Florida
Like we said, Bullhead are among the most common fish in the nation. Pair that with Florida, which is known for the best fishing in the country, and what you get is an absolute goldmine of these fish! Brown Bullhead, in particular, are numerous here.
It’s hard to plop a line in any freshwater fishing hole around here without catching a Catfish. However, a few choice locations include the St. Johns, Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee, and Ochlockonee Rivers. You can also add the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to that list! In even better news, there are no size or bag limits for Bullhead caught in Florida.
Iowa
Black Bullhead is the most common species in Iowa. Like other areas, the spawning season here kicks off in May or early June. At this time of year, you may find it’s worth breaking the nighttime rule, because fishing for Bullhead by day is that good!
You can find these fish all over the place in Iowa. Various pools of the Mississippi River are a good place to start, as well as the Coralville Reservoir, Easter Lake, and Lake Odessa. With so much more to explore, we recommend checking out the full list of Bullhead fishing holes provided by Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources.
You can fish for Bullhead year-round here, with no size or bag limits. If you’re fishing for other Catfish species, note that there’s an aggregate daily limit of eight Catfish.
Texas
As home to some of the best Bass and Crappie fishing in the country, it’s no surprise that Texas has great catfishing to boot. All three major Bullhead species thrive here, though none are considered important game fish. Still, you’ll find them in waters renowned for more coveted species, such as Lakes Texoma, Livingston, Tawakoni, and Conroe, as well as Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
Texas has no statewide size or bag limits for Bullhead Catfish, but special rules may apply depending on the specific body of water you’re fishing in.
How to Fish for Bullhead
When it comes to Bullhead fishing, less is more. Catching these fish is delightfully simple, so you don’t need fancy gear or technical finesse. In fact, some might say going beyond the basics will only ruin the experience!
There are just a few things to keep in mind:
- Use light tackle. Bullhead are relatively small, so there’s no need to haul out the big guns. Lighter tackle will also allow you to enjoy the fight.
- Use a sinker or bobber to keep your bait close to the bottom, since this is where Catfish feed.
- Keep the point of your hook exposed. Bullhead won’t shy away from an easy meal, so there’s no need to disguise your hook by burying it in the bait. In fact, you want the end to be razor sharp and free from obstruction in order to pierce through their bony mouths. Small circle hooks are recommended.
- Fish at night. While it’s possible to catch Bullhead during the day, they’re primarily night feeders. Therefore, you’ll maximize your chances of catching them if you wait until dusk. If you have to fish earlier, target them in muddy or murky waters, and avoid casting any shadow in their direction.
- Scent is everything. Remember, Bullhead are literally made out of tastebuds. Naturally, they’re drawn to stinky bait! On the flip side, anything that doesn’t tickle their tastebuds will turn them away, such as oil, bug repellent, or sunscreen that you might accidentally transfer to the bait while handling it.
Bullhead Fishing Gear & Bait
To catch a Bullhead, you don’t need much beyond your fishing pole, a small sinker, and some bait (which could be almost anything).
Reach for a light-to-medium action spinning or baitcasting rod and 5–10 lb test line. Attach an egg sinker (⅛–¼ ounce) and a barrel swivel, followed by several more feet of line and a small circle hook in size #4 to 1/0.
Now, all that’s left to add is the bait of your choice.
Some of the best natural baits for Bullhead are live or dead minnows, leeches, crickets, and worms. One trick to try is soaking your worms in pickled beet juice ahead of time to infuse them with a bright red hue that will catch attention in murky water.
It’s common to fish for Bullhead using plenty of other tidbits, too – maybe even the leftovers in your own lunch bag! Corn, cheese, hot dogs, chunks of white bread, marshmallows, and bubblegum are things that Catfish love to snack on as much as the rest of us.
They also find it hard to resist a good, bloody chicken liver. Blend some to a pulp and mix in Wheaties cereal, then roll that concoction into a grape-sized ball and let it harden to create your own Bullhead dough bait.
When to Fish for Bullhead
You can catch Bullhead any time of year, but they feed less actively in winter. This makes the optimal time to target them between spring and fall. Come springtime, they school in the shallows as part of their pre-spawning ritual and they’re very easy to catch. Summer is a popular time to target them at night. This is when they feed most actively – and it’s warm enough to stay out late!
Bullhead Fishing: Simple and Rewarding!
It’s easy to overlook Bullhead, given how common they are and their relatively puny size. And yet, that’s why they make such great targets for first-timers. In fact, Bullhead hold a special place in many anglers’ hearts as some of the very first fish they ever caught. And, thanks to their fighting nature, these fish keep those anglers coming back for more. Still skeptical? Well, you’ll just have to try fishing for Bullhead yourself!
Do you share our enthusiasm for Bullhead? Maybe it was your first cast? Share your stories and questions with us in the comments below!
