Yellow bullhead across Minnesota
Finding and keeping yellow bullhead under Minnesota rules.
- 100limit
- 3 lb 10 ozrecord
Pick for bullheadPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Lake Pepin: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Where yellow bullhead fit in Minnesota
The DNR files Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) under the catfish family. The inland waters (statewide) rule allows 100; season Continuous.
Lake Osakis gave up the state record of 3 lb 10 oz in 2002. Survey crews found it in 1,400 lakes, 1,629 of which have pages. At 133.25 per gill net, Adney Lake leads the lakes on this site.
For the bullhead herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 The DNR profile of yellow 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.
The yellow bullhead limit
| 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.
Minnesota record yellow bullhead
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 3 lb 10 oz | Lake Osakis | Todd | 2002 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Where the yellow bullhead surveys ran highest
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adney Lake | 133.25 | 1.9-12.1 | 0.46 | 2023 |
| Hattie Lake, Hubbard County | 82.5 | 1.0-10.5 | 0.46 | 2023 |
| Long Lake near East Gull Lake, Cass County | 76.33 | 2.1-15.8 | 0.11 | 1986 |
| Ruth Lake, Cass County | 72 | 1.9-12.1 | 0.56 | 1991 |
| Trout Lake, Crow Wing County | 72 | 1.9-12.1 | 0.62 | 2021 |
| Lougee Lake | 66.33 | 1.9-12.1 | 0.42 | 1997 |
| Little Emily Lake | 65 | 2.1-15.3 | 0.32 | 1987 |
| Placid Lake, Crow Wing County | 64.33 | 2.1-15.8 | 0.33 | 1988 |
| West McDonald Lake | 63.44 | 1.0-6.0 | 0.44 | 2019 |
| Six Lake | 61 | 1.0-6.0 | 0.49 | 2013 |
| Ogechie Lake | 60.67 | 0.6-6.8 | 0.32 | 1989 |
| Rock Lake, Cass County | 56 | 0.6-5.0 | 0.41 | 2025 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Minnesota waters to try for yellow bullhead
Lakes with yellow bullhead
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Leech Lake103,444 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 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
- Bemidji Lake (main lake)6,596 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
- Green Lake, Kandiyohi County5,569 acres
Streams with yellow 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.
Fish grouped with yellow bullhead
- Channel catfishcatfish family
- Flathead catfishcatfish family
- Black bullheadcatfish family
- Brown bullheadcatfish family
Photos of places near Yellow bullhead
Photo: Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ronfar623 on en.wikipedia, CC BY 1.0
Minnesota yellow bullhead, asked by anglers
What is the limit on yellow bullhead?
100 (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
What is the Minnesota record yellow bullhead?
3 lb 10 oz from Lake Osakis (2002).
Which waters produce yellow bullhead?
Adney Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 133.25 per net; 1,637 waters on this site list it.
Are yellow bullhead on the stocking pages?
Not on the DNR area stocking pages collected here.
What scientific name does the DNR use for yellow bullhead?
Minnesota has three bullhead species – black, brown and yellow.
Is yellow bullhead season open right now in Minnesota?
Continuous
Is a stamp needed for yellow bullhead?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Do Minnesota guides take trips for yellow bullhead?
See the guides page.