Yellow Bullhead in Washington
Washington yellow bullhead: what may be kept and where to look.
- No min. size. Nolimit
- 2.38 lbsrecord
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Washington yellow bullhead: rule, record, water
For the 2026-27 season, Washington files yellow 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.
Monica Beckley holds the Washington record at 2.38 lbs, from Potholes Reservoir, Grant County, 2013. Potholes Reservoir head the 1 Washington pages naming it. Scientific name, as WDFW gives it: Ameiurus natalis.
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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 yellow bullhead on the WDFW list
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Bullhead | 2.38 lbs | Monica Beckley | Potholes Reservoir, Grant County | Sept. 8, 2013 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Washington water that holds yellow bullhead
Lakes where WDFW notes yellow bullhead
- Potholes Reservoir14,282 acres
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
Relatives of yellow bullhead on the record list
- Black Bullheadfreshwater
- Blue Catfishfreshwater
- Brown Bullheadfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
- Flathead Catfishfreshwater
- White Catfishfreshwater
Lakes, rivers and sound close to Yellow 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: Chris Yunker, CC BY 2.0
What to know before chasing yellow bullhead in Washington
What daily limit covers yellow bullhead in Washington?
Rule text: No min. size. No daily limit.
When was the Washington yellow bullhead record set?
2.38 lbs, from Potholes Reservoir, Grant County, 2013, by Monica Beckley.
Which Washington pages point to yellow bullhead?
Potholes Reservoir head the 1 pages naming it.
Does WDFW plant yellow bullhead?
WDFW plant rows do not include it.
Where is the yellow bullhead rule different in Washington?
None of the Special Rules mention it.
Does Washington close the yellow 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 yellow 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 yellow 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 yellow bullhead around the Evergreen State
Every water above has ramps and limits on its own page.