Skip to main content

Yellow Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) is one of three bullhead species found in Georgia waters, alongside brown and black bullheads.

These hardy catfish are omnivorous bottom-dwellers that feed primarily at night using their exceptional sense of smell and over 200,000 taste buds distributed across their body and barbels.

Scientific Name: Ameiurus natalis

Physical Characteristics:
  • They're easily identified by their distinctive white or yellow chin barbels, olive to yellowish-brown body coloration with a lighter belly, rounded tail fin, and 24-27 anal fin rays.
  • These hardy catfish typically reach 1-2 pounds, though they can grow up to 4 pounds and 24 inches in exceptional cases.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Unlike black bullheads which are limited to northwest Georgia, yellow bullheads are distributed throughout the state's freshwater systems including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

Specific Spots

  • They prefer slow-moving or still waters with muddy or sandy bottoms, often seeking cover around fallen trees, submerged vegetation, rocky areas, and overhanging banks.
  • Target areas with slow-moving or stagnant water, focusing on locations with cover such as fallen trees, submerged vegetation, rocky areas, and muddy or sandy bottoms.
  • In lakes and ponds, fish shallow water near shore or areas with overhanging vegetation.

Yellow Bullhead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Yellow Bullhead in Georgia?

nightcrawlers, chicken liver, cut bait (shad, herring, sunfish), and even canned corn.

When is the best time to fish for Yellow Bullhead in Georgia?

The prime fishing season runs from late spring through early fall, avoiding the April-June spawning period.

How do you catch Yellow Bullhead in Georgia?

Effective rigging options include slip-sinker rigs for bottom fishing, float rigs to suspend bait above snags, and three-way rigs for depth control. For fly fishing, suspend microjigs (1/80 to 1/64 oz, #8 hook) under strike indicators, retrieving slowly with long pauses parallel to rocky shorelines.

What do Yellow Bullhead eat?

Their diet consists of insects, crayfish, small fish, worms, aquatic invertebrates, and notably more aquatic vegetation compared to other bullhead species.

Where do Yellow Bullhead live in Georgia?

Unlike black bullheads which are limited to northwest Georgia, yellow bullheads are distributed throughout the state's freshwater systems including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Yellow Bullhead.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Yellow Bullhead water

    Pick Yellow Bullhead and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Yellow Bullhead

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Yellow Bullhead are.

Open the map, filter by Yellow Bullhead, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Georgia licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Georgia waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.