Yellow Bullhead
Yellow Bullhead are medium-sized catfish that are hardy fish highly adaptable, tolerating low oxygen and polluted conditions better than most fish species.
These nocturnal feeders are voracious scavengers with over 100,000 taste receptors distributed across their scaleless bodies.
Scientific Name: Ameiurus natalis
- Medium-sized catfish averaging 8-10 inches in Wisconsin, distinguished by their white or yellowish chin barbels, rounded tail fin, and 24-27 anal fin rays.
- They have yellow-olive to slate black backs with lighter, more yellowish sides and bright yellow to white undersides.
Fishing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin River
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
Lake Poygan
Castle Rock Lake
Spencer Lake
Little Wolf River
Wolf River
Fox River
McDill Pond
Wisconsin River Flowage
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found throughout the Mississippi River, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior drainage basins.
- Often inhabiting quiet backwaters and vegetated shallows with muck, rock, sand, or clay substrates.
Key Locations
- Green Bay, the Wisconsin River system, lakes Winnebago and Poygan, and the larger northern lakes.
- Wisconsin's record yellow bullhead was a 3-pound, 3-ounce fish caught from Nelson Lake in Sawyer County in 1972.
Specific Spots
- Look for areas with heavy weed growth, soft bottoms, and gentle currents.
- Target areas with heavy weed banks.
Yellow Bullhead FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Yellow Bullhead in Wisconsin?
Focus on the stinkiest natural baits possible - nightcrawlers are especially effective, along with chicken liver, cut bait, crickets, grasshoppers, hot dogs, and even leftover pizza. Avoid artificial lures entirely.
When is the best time to fish for Yellow Bullhead in Wisconsin?
Fish year-round as they have no closed season. Most productive during warm water periods from late spring through early fall. Avoid fishing during spawning periods (April-July when water reaches 70-77°F) to allow successful reproduction.
How do you catch Yellow Bullhead in Wisconsin?
Use bottom-fishing techniques, casting to the bottom and allowing bullheads to thoroughly mouth the bait before setting the hook due to their tough mouths. Fish in shallow bays during evening hours. Focus on smell-based fishing since bullheads feed by smell.
What do Yellow Bullhead eat?
They consume worms, insects, snails, minnows, clams, crayfish, small fish, plant matter, and decaying material - notably eating more aquatic vegetation than other bullhead species.
Where do Yellow Bullhead live in Wisconsin?
Found throughout the Mississippi River, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior drainage basins. Often inhabiting quiet backwaters and vegetated shallows with muck, rock, sand, or clay substrates.
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