Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas)

Least Concern (LC) Federally Protected

Black Bullhead illustration
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Ictaluridae
Genus: Ameiurus
Species: A. melas
In Nevada
Sport Fish
Black bullhead are not native to Nevada but were introduced and have established populations in several reservoirs and warm-water ponds, particularly in the southern part of the state. They are recognized as a sport fish by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and provide fishing opportunities in smaller waters where other species may struggle in warm, turbid conditions. No minimum size or bag limit restrictions apply.
Special Notes: Warmwater game fish. Rarely exceeds 12 inches. More NV regulations

Body Type & Identification: Very dark — almost black on the back fading to yellow-white on the belly. Chin barbels are dark. Rounded tail with a pale bar at the base. The darkest of the bullhead catfishes. Tolerates extremely poor water quality — found in conditions that would kill other fish.

Preferred Water Temperature: 65°F–82°F. Extremely hardy — survives conditions that kill most other fish including very low oxygen, high turbidity, and temperature extremes. A nocturnal feeder most active after dark.

Habitat: Ponds, ditches, sloughs, oxbows, and slow rivers throughout the central and eastern US. The most pollution-tolerant of the catfishes — found in some of the most degraded aquatic environments. Common in agricultural drainage ditches and farm ponds of the Midwest.

Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificial lures.

Best Baits: Nightcrawlers work best. Chicken liver is very effective. Stink baits and dip baits produce well. Small pieces of cut fish work. Any strong-smelling natural bait fished on the bottom at night in slow or still water produces consistent catches.

Top 5 Destinations: Mississippi River backwaters, Illinois River IL, Farm ponds throughout the Midwest, Oklahoma reservoirs, Kansas rivers.



Carson City County Fishing Spots
Name (# of Reports) Last Update Location
Carson River (163) 6-15-2025 Carson City, NV
 

Churchill County Fishing Spots
Name (# of Reports) Last Update Location
Carson River (163) 6-15-2025 Carson City, NV
 

Douglas County Fishing Spots
Name (# of Reports) Last Update Location
Carson River (163) 6-15-2025 Carson City, NV
 

Lyon County Fishing Spots
Name (# of Reports) Last Update Location
Carson River (163) 6-15-2025 Carson City, NV
 

Storey County Fishing Spots
Name (# of Reports) Last Update Location
Carson River (163) 6-15-2025 Carson City, NV