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Black Bullhead

Black Bullhead

Black Bullhead are common catfish found throughout Michigan's waters, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. They're the largest of the bullhead species, occasionally reaching 6 pounds or more, with the Michigan state record being 3.

44 pounds from Magician Lake in Cass County.

Scientific Name: Ameiurus melas

Physical Characteristics:
  • These robust fish are distinguished by their dark coloration, completely pigmented barbels (whiskers), broad heads, and slightly notched tail fins.
  • Their bodies are covered with approximately 100,000 taste receptors, making them highly sensitive to scent.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Black Bullhead are common catfish found throughout Michigan's waters, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds.

Key Locations

  • Michigan's fishing waters surveys confirm their presence throughout the Northern Lake Michigan Management Unit, appearing in numerous lakes across Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, Mackinac, Menominee, and Schoolcraft counties.
  • Fish known productive waters like the Clinton River watershed where surveys confirm their presence.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow areas with soft bottoms, weed beds, deep holes in creeks, backwaters, slow eddies, and areas around docks and piers.

Black Bullhead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Black Bullhead in Michigan?

Top baits include live or dead worms (especially effective when soaked in pickled beet juice for color), minnows, leeches, crickets, chicken livers, corn, marshmallows, white bread, and cut bait.

What flies work for Black Bullhead in Michigan?

GameChanger flies and other patterns work, but microjigs under indicators are most effective.

When is the best time to fish for Black Bullhead in Michigan?

Black Bullhead fishing in Michigan is most productive from spring through fall, with peak action occurring during summer months when they're most active. Black Bullhead spawn between May and July in Michigan, making this period less productive for fishing.

How do you catch Black Bullhead in Michigan?

For fly fishing, suspend microjigs (1/80 to 1/64 ounce, size #8 hook) under strike indicators, casting parallel to shorelines and retrieving very slowly with long pauses.

What do Black Bullhead eat?

They're nocturnal feeders with an omnivorous diet including aquatic invertebrates (especially chironomid larvae), small fish, fish e.g.gs, crustaceans, terrestrial insects, plant material, and detritus.

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