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Yellow Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) are native to Oklahoma and found statewide, occurring throughout most of Oklahoma and Texas alongside black bullheads.

These medium-sized catfish are highly adaptable, tolerating poor water quality, low oxygen, and polluted conditions better than other catfish species.

Scientific Name: Ameiurus natalis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their yellow to white chin barbels, squared-off slightly rounded tail fin, and 23-27 anal fin rays.
  • Typically weigh less than 2 pounds but can reach up to 6.6 pounds, growing 6-15 inches in length.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Prefer shallow, weedy waters in slow-moving streams, ponds, lakes, and backwaters with soft bottoms of muck, sand, or clay.

Key Locations

  • Found statewide throughout Oklahoma.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas with thick vegetation, muddy bottoms, rocky areas, drop-offs, current edges, shoreline shallows, and around submerged objects or structures.
  • Fish depths of 2-6 feet typically, though they can be found deeper.

Yellow Bullhead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Live earthworms (especially from compost piles for stronger scent), insects, dough bait, stink bait, blood bait, crickets, cut bait, minnows, corn, shrimp, and chicken liver.

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

Active year-round. Avoid the April-June spawning period when males guard nests and feeding activity decreases.

How do you catch Yellow Bullhead in Oklahoma?

Still fishing and drift fishing work well. Set baited traps 2-6 feet deep and check daily.

What do Yellow Bullhead eat?

As opportunistic omnivores, they feed primarily at night using their barbels to locate prey including minnows, crayfish, insects, worms, snails, clams, aquatic invertebrates, and notably consume more aquatic vegetation than other bullheads.

Where do Yellow Bullhead live in Oklahoma?

Prefer shallow, weedy waters in slow-moving streams, ponds, lakes, and backwaters with soft bottoms of muck, sand, or clay.

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