Skip to main content

Black Bullhead

Black Bullhead

Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) is the most common of the three Ameiurus species present in Oklahoma, ranging across the entire state and inhabiting virtually any aquatic ecosystem.

They're remarkably tolerant of poor water quality conditions including high turbidity, low oxygen levels, high nutrient concentrations, and high temperatures, making them one of the most adaptable fish species in Oklahoma waters.

Scientific Name: Ameiurus melas

Physical Characteristics:
  • They reach maturity early (age 2-3) and can live up to 7 years, growing slowly to lengths around 150-230mm in most Oklahoma waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Ranging across the entire state and inhabiting virtually any aquatic ecosystem.
  • Found throughout Oklahoma's Close to Home Fishing Ponds (CTHFP), lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, and even swamps.

Key Locations

  • Oklahoma's CTHFP ponds, Lake Carl Etling in Cimarron County, and virtually any lake, pond, stream, or river with muddy bottoms and vegetation.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on areas with submerged structure, shallow weedy areas, around docks and piers, undercut banks, and current edges in rivers.
  • Look for slow-moving or still waters with soft substrates.

Black Bullhead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Live earthworms (especially those soaked in pickled beet juice), nightcrawlers, small minnows, cut bait, dough balls, bread, chicken liver, crickets, and even corn.

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

Late summer through fall and winter into early spring, avoiding the May-July spawning period when males are guarding nests and feeding less actively. Can be caught year-round.

How do you catch Black Bullhead in Oklahoma?

Fish near the bottom using enough weight to keep bait down. Keep bait deep in the hook so fish can't steal it. In flowing water, drift baits into cover using just enough weight to get them near bottom.

What do Black Bullhead eat?

Black Bullheads are omnivorous with a highly diverse diet - research from Lake Carl Etling in Oklahoma's panhandle revealed they consume 16 different prey items including 5 fish species (primarily Gizzard Shad and sunfish), 5 crustacean species, 3 insect species, and 3 plant species.

Where do Black Bullhead live in Oklahoma?

Ranging across the entire state and inhabiting virtually any aquatic ecosystem. Found throughout Oklahoma's Close to Home Fishing Ponds (CTHFP), lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, and even swamps.

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.

Oklahoma licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

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.