Black Bullhead in Washington
Washington black bullhead: what may be kept and where to look.
- No min. size. Nolimit
- 1.81 lbsrecord
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Washington black bullhead: rule, record, water
For the 2026-27 season, Washington files black bullhead in the freshwater row "Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, Catfish (Except Channel), Rock Bass, Striped Bass". As printed, it reads: No min. size. No daily limit.
Cleon Conrad holds the Washington record at 1.81 lbs, from Lake Cassidy, Snohomish County, 2020. Cassidy Lake head the 1 Washington pages naming it. Scientific name, as WDFW gives it: Ameiurus melas.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, Catfish (E | all freshwater | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026.
Heaviest black bullhead on the WDFW list
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 1.81 lbs | Cleon Conrad | Lake Cassidy, Snohomish County | Sept. 4, 2020 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Washington water that holds black bullhead
Lakes where WDFW notes black bullhead
- Cassidy Lake123 acres
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
Relatives of black bullhead on the record list
- Blue Catfishfreshwater
- Brown Bullheadfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
- Flathead Catfishfreshwater
- White Catfishfreshwater
- Yellow Bullheadfreshwater
Lakes, rivers and sound close to Black Bullhead, pictured
Photo: Richard Probst – Shot in a Frame, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kev Cook, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Pacific Fishery Management Council, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0
What to know before chasing black bullhead in Washington
What daily limit covers black bullhead in Washington?
Rule text: No min. size. No daily limit.
When was the Washington black bullhead record set?
1.81 lbs, from Lake Cassidy, Snohomish County, 2020, by Cleon Conrad.
Which Washington pages point to black bullhead?
Cassidy Lake head the 1 pages naming it.
Does WDFW plant black bullhead?
WDFW plant rows do not include it.
Where is the black bullhead rule different in Washington?
None of the Special Rules mention it.
Does Washington close the black bullhead season?
Its 2026-27 season reads Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31. Check emergency rules before a trip.
What does an out-of-state angler buy for Washington black bullhead?
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
Where do I take a Washington black bullhead record?
WDFW keeps the list; weigh the unfrozen fish on a certified scale with two witnesses and take it to a WDFW office.
Chase black bullhead around the Evergreen State
Every water above has ramps and limits on its own page.