Skip to main content

Black Bullhead

Black Bullhead

Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) in New York are a rare native species classified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) with an S1 conservation ranking, indicating they are critically imperiled in the state.

Scientific Name: Ameiurus melas

Physical Characteristics:
  • These catfish are easily confused with the more common brown bullhead but can be distinguished by their lack of saw-like serrations on the pectoral spine, dark-colored chin barbels, and slightly notched tail fin.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Black bullheads are native to at least 7 of New York's 18 watersheds: Allegheny, Champlain, Erie-Niagara, Genesee, Ontario, Oswegatchie, and Oswego, though they may be extirpated from the Allegheny and Oswego watersheds.
  • Current verified populations exist in the Champlain, Erie-Niagara, Genesee, Lower Hudson, Ontario, and Oswegatchie watersheds.
  • These fish inhabit backwaters, oxbows, impoundments, swamps, ponds, lakes, and low-gradient streams, preferring stagnant, slow-moving, warm, turbid waters with mud or silt substrates.

Key Locations

  • Productive locations include Mexico Point on Lake Ontario, Cleveland and Oneida Creek areas on Oneida Lake, the northeastern shore of Delta Lake, and sections of the Erie Canal.
  • Recent catches reported from locations like Mud Brook near Lake Champlain (2017), Murder Creek and Niagara River areas (since 2013), East Branch Red Creek near Rochester (2013), Oak Orchard Creek (2018), and Black Creek and Black Lake (2012).

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow shorelines, particularly at the mouths of tributary streams entering large lakes like Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake.
  • Fish near docks, piers, and areas with aquatic vegetation.

Black Bullhead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Night crawlers are the most effective bait, though black bullheads will also take chicken liver, prepared dough baits, corn, leeches, cut bait, minnows, and even unconventional baits like bread or marshmallows.

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

Black bullhead fishing in New York is best during spring through fall. Spawning occurs from May through July (avoid fishing during these periods).

How do you catch Black Bullhead in New York?

Fish on the bottom using either a slip-sinker rig or under a bobber depending on water conditions.

What do Black Bullhead eat?

Black bullheads are opportunistic feeders with a diet dominated by aquatic macroinvertebrates, particularly chironomid larvae, but also consume microcrustaceans, oligochaeta, caddisfly larvae, plant material, terrestrial prey, and both native and exotic fish species.

Where do Black Bullhead live in New York?

Black bullheads are native to at least 7 of New York's 18 watersheds: Allegheny, Champlain, Erie-Niagara, Genesee, Ontario, Oswegatchie, and Oswego, though they may be extirpated from the Allegheny and Oswego watersheds.

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 Black Bullhead.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Black Bullhead water

    Pick Black 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 Black Bullhead

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

Stop guessing where Black Bullhead are.

Open the map, filter by Black 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.

New York licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore New York 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.