Brown bullhead across Minnesota
brown bullhead: Minnesota limits and records.
- 100limit
- 3 lb 9 ozrecord
Pick for bullheadPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of the species, not of a Minnesota water: George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 4.0
brown bullhead, statewide
Brown bullhead (Ameriurus nebulosus) is a Minnesota fish in the DNR catfish family group. The booklet row for inland waters (statewide) sets 100 and runs Continuous.
The record table shows 3 lb 9 oz from North Long Lake, 2026. The DNR has recorded it in 1,104 lakes; this site has pages for 1,390. Gill nets on Iron Lake, Murray County caught 258 per net, the best among lakes here.
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“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.
What you may keep of brown bullhead
| 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.
State record brown bullhead
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| non certified weight | 7 lb 1 oz | Shallow Lake | Itasca | 1974 |
| certified weight | 3 lb 9 oz | North Long Lake | Crow Wing | 2026 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Best brown bullhead netting on lakes with pages
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Lake, Murray County | 258 | 0.09 | 2025 | |
| Boot Lake, Anoka County | 144.5 | 1.0-6.0 | 0.25 | 1959 |
| Little Lake, Chisago County | 129.33 | 0.7-6.2 | 0.13 | 2025 |
| Second Lake, Clearwater County | 122.75 | 0.5-2.2 | 0.09 | 1976 |
| Bluebill Lake, Cass County | 111 | 0.29 | 1994 | |
| George Lake, Cass County | 110.5 | 1.5-9.9 | 0.14 | 2025 |
| Jubert Lake | 91 | 0.7-6.2 | 0.19 | 1991 |
| Carlson Lake, Itasca County | 86 | 0.09 | 1992 | |
| Island Lake, Lyon County | 86 | 0.5-5.6 | 0.21 | 2023 |
| Murphy Lake, Itasca County | 82 | 1.5-14.0 | 0.15 | 1978 |
| Horseshoe Lake near Grand Rapids, Itasca County | 60.33 | 0.16 | 1987 | |
| Lookout Lake | 59 | 1.5-9.9 | 0.13 | 2008 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Lakes and streams holding brown bullhead
brown bullhead lakes
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Leech Lake103,444 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Vermilion Lake39,272 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- Bowstring Lake9,528 acres
- Pelican Lake, Crow Wing County8,367 acres
- Lake Minnewaska8,050 acres
- Whitefish Lake near Manhattan Beach, Crow Wing County7,714 acres
- Dead Lake, Otter Tail County7,546 acres
- Pokegama Lake, Itasca County6,721 acres
- Lake Osakis6,389 acres
- North Long Lake, Crow Wing County6,190 acres
- Big Sandy Lake6,125 acres
- Lac qui Parle5,741 acres
- Miltona Lake5,731 acres
- West Battle Lake5,615 acres
brown bullhead streams
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Vermilion RiverSt. Louis
- Turtle RiverBeltrami
- Hay Creek, Goodhue CountyGoodhue
- Hay Creek, Pine CountyPine
- Hay Creek, Carlton CountyCarlton
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Fish beside brown bullhead in the DNR groups
- Channel catfishcatfish family
- Flathead catfishcatfish family
- Black bullheadcatfish family
- Yellow bullheadcatfish family
Scenery a short drive from Brown bullhead
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pete Nelson ( PeteNelson at English Wikipedia ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
Reader questions on brown bullhead
How many brown bullhead can I keep in Minnesota?
100 (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
Does Minnesota keep a record for brown bullhead?
3 lb 9 oz from North Long Lake (2026).
Which lakes did the DNR net the most brown bullhead in?
Iron Lake, Murray County leads the DNR gill net catch at 258 per net; 1,397 waters on this site list it.
Do DNR hatcheries raise brown bullhead?
No stocking is listed.
Which marks identify brown bullhead?
Minnesota has three bullhead species – black, brown and yellow.
Can brown bullhead be kept in every month in Minnesota?
Continuous
Which Minnesota license do I need for brown bullhead?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who runs trips for brown bullhead?
No Minnesota operator names it; try the guides page.
Find brown bullhead near your Minnesota home
Every lake named here has a page with survey catch and limits.