Scientific Name
Ameiurus natalis
Other Names
Mudcat, Butter ball, Butter cat, Smoothie, Polliwog, Paper skin, and White whisker bullhead
Description
Yellow bullheads are moderately robust fish having a rounded or square caudal fin. The chin area is white, including the barbels on the chin. The back and sides of yellow bullheads are usually yellow to yellow-brown in color as their name implies. Compared to the brown bullhead and the black bullhead, the yellow bullhead is usually smaller. These fish can reach weights up to 6 pounds, but most fish are less than a pound. Yellow bullheads live up to 6 years.
Habits and Habitat
Yellow bullheads feed on crayfish, grass shrimp, worms, aquatic insects, beetles, and fish. Yellow bullheads can be found in streams, rivers, and ponds and are commonly seen in oxbow lakes. These fish prefer clear, heavily vegetated water. Spawning begins in spring and continues through early summer. Both the male and female will construct the nest with their fins and shovel material out of the next with their snout. Rocks are also removed with the mouth, and both fish will sit on the nest facing opposite directions.
State Record
The Mississippi State Rod and Reel record is 2 pounds 13 ounces, caught by Robert Cason in Mossy Lake in 1974.
Fishing Fact
Yellow bullheads are usually caught on baits intended for bream or catfish. They are generally considered undesirable to anglers due to their small size, which results from their tendency to overpopulate.