At a glance
½–1½ lb.
2–15 ft.
Evening and night.
8 areas
Know it
Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.
- Identification
Small catfish with a squared-off (not forked) tail with a pale bar at its base, a dark black to olive back, a yellowish to white belly, dark chin whiskers, and a smooth (not toothed) back edge on the pectoral spines.
- Typical size
½–1½ lb.
- Maximum size
About 2 ft and over 7 lb.
- Diet
Worms, insects, snails, small fish and plants.
- Behavior
Tough, bottom-feeding catfish that does well in warm, muddy ponds; schools of tiny young are guarded by the parents.
Find it
Where, when and how deep to look.
- Where to find it
Found from Upper Midwest Lakes, Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes, Ozarks & Mid-South, Texas & Oklahoma Lakes, U.S. Great Lakes, Canadian Prairies, Southwest & California Lakes and Pacific Northwest Rivers & Lakes. Ponds, sloughs, lakes and slow streams across the central U.S. and southern Canada; introduced in the West.
- Habitat
Ponds, sloughs, lakes and slow streams across the central U.S. and southern Canada; introduced in the West.
- Depth
2–15 ft.
- Fishing depth
On the bottom, 2–10 ft.
- Best season
Spring through fall.
- Best time
Evening and night.
- Best tides
No tide; wind and water level matter more.
- Best weather / conditions
Warm nights.
Bait & gear
What to tie on and what to throw.
- Best bait
Nightcrawlers, chicken liver and cut bait.
- Best artificial lures
Rarely.
- Tackle setup
Light to medium rod.
- Hook size
Size 4–1.
- Line
6–10 lb.
- Leader
Not needed.
BigJoe's setup for Black bullhead
The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.
Also at Bass Pro Shops: RodReelLineHooksWeightRigHolder
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Catch it
Step by step, from first cast to landing.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Go where it lives: Ponds, sloughs, lakes and slow streams across the central U.S. and southern Canada; introduced in the West.
- Rig up: Light to medium rod. Not needed.
- Pick your bait: Nightcrawlers, chicken liver and cut bait. Lures: Rarely.
- Fish it: Fish worms on the bottom near weeds and mud flats in the evening.
- Time it: Evening and night. No tide; wind and water level matter more.
- Fishing techniques
Fish worms on the bottom near weeds and mud flats in the evening.
- BigJoe's tip
Great fish for kids on summer evenings.
- Catch and release
Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.
Clean & cook
Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.
- Edibility
Good eating when fresh.
- Cleaning
Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
- Cooking suggestions
Sweet, white meat; skin it and fry it.
Stay safe & legal
Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.
- Safety warnings
Sharp, mildly venomous pectoral and dorsal spines — grab it from behind the spines.
- Regulations
Usually liberal or no limits. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
- Conservation
Can overpopulate and stunt in small ponds.
Where it's found
Tap an area to open its fishing map.