The Black Bullhead is our most common bullhead. It can be distinguished from the other bullheads easily because the chin whiskers are all black or dark gray. Their pectoral fins are not heavily serrated. Black Bullheads are able to tolerate extremely poor water conditions. They are found in both rivers, streams, and lakes, and seldom weigh more than a pound, but the record for Minnesota is almost four pounds. Black Bullheads thrive in mud, silt, sludge, and turbid water. In snaggy waters, use a bobber to float your bait just above the snags. Otherwise, fish right on the bottom with a slip-singer. Long-shanked hooks or circle hooks make unhooking easier. At night, a lighted bobber makes for some really fun fishing. Good baits for black bullheads include small strips of liver, grubs, worms, and live or dead minnows.

Geographic Range Map of the Black Bullhead in North America