Features: Bullheads present in Oregon (brown, yellow and black) are distinguished from channel catfish by their square or rounded tails and lack of spotting. They seldom exceed two pounds and 18-inches long. Black bullheads have a square tail with a light vertical bar at its base and chin barbels that are all dark.

Habitat: Bullheads are found on the bottom in the shallows of mud-bottomed ponds, lakes, reservoirs and backwaters of rivers. The black bullhead is primarily in reservoirs and streams tributary to the Snake River. Bullheads feed on almost any type of plant or animal material; insect larvae and mollusks comprise much of their diet.

Technique: Bullheads can be caught any month of the year, but fishing is best from the first warm days of February through October. Bullheads feed most actively at night, utilizing the senses of touch and smell. Consequently the best angling for them is in the evening or at night under a lantern. Look for them where there is shallow water with a mud bottom.  Use a bottom slip-sinker and bait rig with size 6 or 8 hook baited with worms or chicken livers. In shallow water, a bobber and bait rig may also be used with the bait on or near the bottom. When handling bullheads be careful to avoid the spines in the fins. When properly skinned and cooked, bullheads are fine eating.