Black bullhead in Wisconsin
Keeping, finding and recording black bullhead.
- None; no minimum lenlimit
- 5 lbs. 8 oz.record
Pick for bullheadPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Lower Genesee Lake: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Wisconsin black bullhead: rules, records and range
Classed as game fish, Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) is one of the Bullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae) on the WDNR fish list. For general inland waters, the WDNR row reads None; no minimum length, season Open all year.
Big Falls Flowage produced the hook and line record of 5 lbs. 8 oz. in 1989.
For the bullhead herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Wisconsin regulation rows naming black bullhead
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | Open all year |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Winnebago System waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Record black bullhead on the WDNR list
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 5 lbs. 8 oz. | Big Falls Flowage | Rusk | 1989 |
| alternate method | 0 lbs. 6.6 oz. | Nelligan Lake | Marinette | 2016 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Wisconsin waters listing black bullhead
black bullhead lakes with pages
- Big Falls Flowage281 acres
- Nelligan Lake, Marinette County52 acres
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Relatives of black bullhead in Wisconsin
- Channel catfishBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
- Flathead catfishBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
- Brown bullheadBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
- Yellow bullheadBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
Photographs from waters near Black bullhead
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Questions anglers bring up about black bullhead
Which Wisconsin rule covers keeping black bullhead?
None; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
When was the Wisconsin black bullhead record set?
5 lbs. 8 oz. from Big Falls Flowage in 1989 (hook and line).
Where do black bullhead live in Wisconsin?
2 waters here, starting with Big Falls Flowage and Nelligan Lake, Marinette County.
Does the WDNR stock black bullhead?
Not in the 2023 to 2025 summary.
What Latin name does the WDNR give black bullhead?
Ameiurus melas, Bullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae); game fish.
Is Wisconsin black bullhead season open right now?
Open all year on general inland waters.
Which license covers black bullhead?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Who guides for black bullhead?
No listed guide names it; the guides page has every operator.
Set out for black bullhead
Each lake listed above opens its own page with landings and the WDNR rule table.