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Brown Bullhead

Brown Bullhead

Brown bullheads are native to New Hampshire and found throughout the state's waters. These sturdy catfish are extremely resilient fish, tolerating dissolved oxygen levels as low as 0. 2 ppm and surviving in heavily polluted waters where other species struggle.

Scientific Name: Ameiurus nebulosus

Also known as horned pout, hornpout, mud cat, mud pout

Physical Characteristics:
  • These sturdy catfish grow 6-15 inches on average but can reach 18-21 inches and weigh up to 4 pounds in New Hampshire waters.
  • They're distinguished by their dark brown to yellowish-brown coloration with a cream-colored belly, dark chin barbels (whiskers), squared-off tail, and sharp spines on dorsal and pectoral fins.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit nearly all of New Hampshire's lakes, ponds, and medium to large rivers, preferring slow-moving waters with mud bottoms and vegetation.

Key Locations

  • They're found throughout New Hampshire in areas like Hoit Marsh and Turkey Pond in Concord, Harvey Lake and Bow Lake in Northwood, Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham, and most warmwater ponds, rivers, and backwaters.

Specific Spots

  • Look for areas with overhanging cover, fallen trees, and deeper holes during hot summer days.

Brown Bullhead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Brown Bullhead in New Hampshire?

The most effective baits are nightcrawlers (especially those from compost piles for stronger scent), chicken livers, cut bait, minnows, corn, bread, and dough balls. Since bullheads are scent-oriented with taste buds covering their entire body, smelly baits work best.

What flies work for Brown Bullhead in New Hampshire?

Dark-colored woolly buggers, particularly those that have caught other fish first to add scent, can be effective. Microjigs (1/80 to 1/64 oz on #8 hooks) suspended under strike indicators.

When is the best time to fish for Brown Bullhead in New Hampshire?

The best fishing occurs from late spring through early fall, with particularly good action after spawning ends in late June through summer.

How do you catch Brown Bullhead in New Hampshire?

Fish close to the bottom using weighted presentations. For fly fishing, try microjigs (1/80 to 1/64 oz on #8 hooks) suspended under strike indicators, retrieved slowly with long pauses.

What do Brown Bullhead eat?

Their diet includes worms, leeches, snails, smaller fish, vegetation, insects, crayfish, mollusks, and fish e.g.gs - they'll eat almost anything that fits in their mouth. They're omnivorous bottom feeders with poor eyesight, relying heavily on their sensitive barbels to locate food.

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