Family: Ictaluridae, Bullhead Catfishes view all from this family

Description To 18" (46 cm); 3 lbs (1.4 kg). Robust, heavy; back dark olive-brown; sides yellow-brown, not mottled; belly yellowish; fins dusky to olive. Head thick, long, rounded above; eyes small; mouth terminal; 4 pairs of barbels, pair on chin yellow to white. Serrations on rear edge of pectoral fin spine; 24-27 anal fin rays, base long, about equal to head length; adipose fin present; caudal fin truncate to rounded.

Habitat Pools and backwaters of sluggish streams, ponds, and lakes; sometimes in slow riffles; usually in areas with heavy vegetation.

Range Southeastern Ontario west to southern North Dakota and south throughout central and eastern United States; widely introduced outside native range.

Discussion The Yellow Bullhead is a good sport and food fish. It is active at night, relying on its barbels and sense of smell to search out food along the bottom.