Yellow Bullhead
Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) are moderately robust freshwater catfish native to Mississippi, distinguished by their white or cream-colored chin barbels and rounded or square caudal fin.
Scientific Name: Ameiurus natalis
- They're typically yellow to yellow-brown on the back and sides with white bellies, and are usually smaller than brown or black bullheads.
- Most weigh less than a pound, though they can reach up to 6 pounds and live up to 6 years.
- Distinguished by their white or cream-colored chin barbels and rounded or square caudal fin.
Fishing in Mississippi
Pearl River
Yazoo River
Mississippi River
Leaf River
Bouie River
Ross R Barnett Reservoir
Lake Castle
Big Black River
Pelahatchie Creek
Lake Dockery
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They prefer clear, heavily vegetated water in streams, rivers, ponds, and oxbow lakes throughout Mississippi.
- They tolerate a wide range of conditions and are commonly found in slow-moving waters with muddy bottoms and abundant vegetation.
Key Locations
- Mississippi's state rod and reel record is 2 pounds 13 ounces, caught at Mossy Lake in 1974.
- Found in streams, rivers, ponds, and oxbow lakes throughout Mississippi.
Specific Spots
- Fish around submerged logs, brush piles, cypress trees, and heavily vegetated areas.
- Fish parallel to rocky shorelines.
Yellow Bullhead FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Yellow Bullhead in Mississippi?
For bait fishing, use earthworms, nightcrawlers, crickets, minnows, chicken liver, corn, cheese, hot dogs, or bread. Soak worms in pickled beet juice for bright red coloration that attracts them in murky water. Microjigs (1/80-1/64 ounce, #8 hook).
How do you catch Yellow Bullhead in Mississippi?
For bait fishing, keep baits near the bottom where they feed. Suspend microjigs (1/80-1/64 ounce, #8 hook) under strike indicators and retrieve very slowly with long pauses - they'll take the indicator down when they bite. Fish parallel to rocky shorelines.
What do Yellow Bullhead eat?
These fish are omnivorous scavengers that feed on crayfish, grass shrimp, worms, aquatic insects, beetles, and small fish, with yellow bullheads consuming more aquatic vegetation compared to other bullhead species. They're primarily nocturnal feeders.
Where do Yellow Bullhead live in Mississippi?
They prefer clear, heavily vegetated water in streams, rivers, ponds, and oxbow lakes throughout Mississippi. They tolerate a wide range of conditions and are commonly found in slow-moving waters with muddy bottoms and abundant vegetation.
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