Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus)

The brown bullhead is a freshwater catfish native to North America in the Ameiurus genus. The Ameiurus genus includes the other bullheads Snail, White, Black, Yellow, Spotted, and Flat. The brown bullhead is smaller compared to more popular catfishes and the color can vary. The coloration is typically molted and can include white, cream, yellow, gray, green, brown, and black.

Where to Find Brown Bullhead

The native range is eastern North America. They are bottom dwellers of slow-moving water with substrate. They can withstand low oxygen and turbidity which allows them to live in swampy areas as well as man-made impoundments with low water flow. Sees some stocking effort, typically in ponds.

While it is possible to catch Brown Bullheads throughout the water column, the best strategy is to fish on the very bottom or a few inches off of it.

Other Names for Brown Bullhead

Other names people have used to refer to this fish include hornpout, horned pout, brown catfish, mud pout, marbled bullhead, speckled cat, and mud cat.

When to Fish for Brown Bullhead

Can be fished for all year long. Special note: they can survive in a state of torpor in low oxygen which would kill many other fish (winterkill). So if conditions are good in deep winter, still fishable, if poor conditions, not likely to get a bite.

Brown bullheads are widely regarded as being nocturnal but plenty of anglers catch them all day long. Don't hesitate to fish for them on a nice sunny day but if you are having trouble getting a bite come back at dawn, dusk, or nighttime.

What Tackle to Use for Brown Bullhead

Contrary to popular belief, can still catch brown bullhead on slowly moving lures, like a dead sticked or slowly jigged soft plastic. However, they are generalist scavengers and most anglers catch them on regular food baits. Recommended grocery store baits: corn, bread or marshmallows. They are not particularly hook or line shy. For hook selection:

• Keep hook point and barb exposed
• Make sure to use a sharp hook
• Hook size in the ballpark of 6 to 2 is usually good
• Baitholders, aberdeens, long shanked j hooks, or circle hooks can be used

Want more in-depth stats on Brown Bullhead? Check out our Brown Bullhead statistics page.