Black bullhead across Minnesota
Limits, records and lakes for black bullhead.
- 100limit
- 3 lb 13 ozrecord
Pick for bullheadPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Lake of the Woods: Lorne Sunley, CC BY 3.0
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About Minnesota black bullhead
Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) counts among the catfish family in Minnesota. Anglers may keep 100 in inland waters (statewide), Continuous.
In 1997, Reno Lake produced the record of 3 lb 13 oz. It shows up in DNR surveys of 1,277 lakes (1,575 with pages here). Scotch Lake posted the top gill net rate, 560.33 per net.
For the bullhead herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 How the DNR describes black bullhead
“Minnesota has three bullhead species – black, brown and yellow. These fish are found throughout the state but are most prevalent in western and southern Minnesota.”
“Minnesota has two catfish species – channel and flathead – and three bullhead species – black, brown, and yellow. These fish are found throughout the state but are most prevalent in warm, fertile rivers and lakes in western and southern Minnesota. The Red, Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix rivers all are known for their excellent catfishing.”
“Brown and black bullheads are hard to tell apart. Yellow bullheads can be distinguished by their white barbels (whiskers) under the lower jaw rather than black as on the other two species.”
- Minnesota has three bullhead species – black, brown and yellow.identification
- Minnesota has two catfish species – channel and flathead – and three bullhead species – black, brown, and yellow.identification
- These fish are found throughout the state but are most prevalent in western and southern Minnesota.habitat
- These fish are found throughout the state but are most prevalent in warm, fertile rivers and lakes in western and southern Minnesota.habitat
- bullheadalso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
black bullhead limits and seasons
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | 100 | Continuous |
| Inland waters | 100 | Early season March 1 – April 30 each year (south of Hwy 210, only on lakes and on Minnesota, Mississippi or St |
| Inland waters | 100 | Spearing May 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 (sunrise to sunset) |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
The black bullhead record
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 3 lb 13 oz | Reno Lake | Pope | 1997 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Top black bullhead catch rates in DNR surveys
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotch Lake | 560.33 | 30.3-150.6 | 2013 | |
| Cody Lake | 512.5 | 30.3-150.6 | 0.05 | 2021 |
| Lake Sarah | 425.67 | 4.6-83.0 | 0.04 | 2024 |
| Cameron Lake, Polk County | 391.5 | 30.3-150.6 | 0.15 | 1989 |
| Thompson Lake, Meeker County | 381.5 | 30.3-150.6 | 0.04 | 2013 |
| Circle Lake, Rice County | 373.5 | 30.3-150.6 | 0.08 | 2023 |
| Southeast Anderson Lake | 351 | 8.0-90.0 | 0.31 | 1993 |
| Buffalo Lake, Murray County | 313 | 30.3-150.6 | 0.06 | 2021 |
| Morcom Lake | 304.33 | 0.9-17.3 | 0.17 | 1997 |
| Squeedunk Lake | 300.5 | 0.5-37.0 | 0.14 | 1978 |
| Rice Lake near Walters, Faribault County | 296.67 | 30.3-150.6 | 0.11 | 2011 |
| Pickeral Lake, Freeborn County | 281.5 | 30.3-150.6 | 0.07 | 2013 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
black bullhead across the state
Where to fish lakes for black bullhead
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Rainy Lake, St. Louis County210,200 acres
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Leech Lake103,444 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Namakan Lake24,066 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Pelican Lake, St. Louis County11,546 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- Bowstring Lake9,528 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Pelican Lake, Crow Wing County8,367 acres
- Lake Minnewaska8,050 acres
- Island Lake Reservoir8,001 acres
- Whitefish Lake near Manhattan Beach, Crow Wing County7,714 acres
- Dead Lake, Otter Tail County7,546 acres
- Lake Osakis6,389 acres
Rivers and creeks for black bullhead
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
- Turtle RiverBeltrami
- Mustinka RiverGrant
- Hay Creek, Goodhue CountyGoodhue
- Hay Creek, Pine CountyPine
- Hay Creek, Carlton CountyCarlton
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Species listed with black bullhead
- Channel catfishcatfish family
- Flathead catfishcatfish family
- Brown bullheadcatfish family
- Yellow bullheadcatfish family
Pictures of water close to Black bullhead
Photo: EricWoodbury8301, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Lorne Sunley, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Handy answers on black bullhead
May Minnesota anglers keep black bullhead?
100 (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
Which Minnesota water gave up the record black bullhead?
3 lb 13 oz from Reno Lake (1997).
Which lakes hold black bullhead?
Scotch Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 560.33 per net; 1,583 waters on this site list it.
Where does the DNR stock black bullhead?
None listed on the area pages.
How do I tell black bullhead from similar fish?
Minnesota has three bullhead species – black, brown and yellow.
When does Minnesota black bullhead season open and close?
Continuous
Do kids need a license for black bullhead?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which guides list black bullhead?
No Minnesota guide names it; see the guides page.
Plan a Minnesota black bullhead trip
Pick a lake from the lists on this page.