Agencies
Services
Bullhead Catfishes
Image © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. No photographs/images included within this information may be used on the internet, publications or any other form of media without the photographer's express permission. All rights reserved.
These fishes have four pairs of barbels around the mouth, no scales and an adipose fin. The catfishes are active mainly at night.
channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Illinois Range: statewide
Size: 12-32" long
Habitat: rivers, ponds, lakes, reservoirs
Food: crayfish, insects, mollusks, plants, fishes
Best Lures: cut bait, shrimp, small shad, minnows, chicken livers, nightcrawlers
flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Illinois Range: all except the northeastern one-fourth of the state
Size: 15-45" long
Habitat: rivers, lakes
Food: fishes, crayfish
Best Lures: artificial baits, minnows, sunfish, shad, crayfish, nightcrawlers
yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)
Illinois Range: statewide
Size: 7-13" long
Habitat: clear water in creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes
Food: crayfish, insects, snails, plants, fishes
Best Lures: worms, crayfish, nightcrawlers, cut bait
black bullhead (Ameiurus melas)
Illinois Range: statewide
Size: average 8" long
Habitat: creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, swamps
Food: plant and animal materials
Best Lures: worms, crayfish, nightcrawlers, cut bait
brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus)
Illinois Range: statewide
Size: average 8" long
Habitat: rivers, ponds, lakes
Food: crayfish, insects, snails, plants, fishes
Best Lures: worms, crayfish, nightcrawlers, cut bait
blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
Illinois Range: statewide
Size: average 23" long
Habitat: large rivers
Food: fishes, mussels, frogs, salamanders, insects
Best Lures: crayfish, shrimp, large shad, stinkbait