Brown Bullhead

Appearance:

Chin barbels on browns are pigmented, not whitish as with yellow bullheads. The sides of brown bullheads have a distinct, irregular brownish mottling over a light background. The belly is creamy white. They have square tails. 

Habitat:

Browns generally inhabit still or slowly-flowing warm waters in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, large rivers and sluggish streams.  

Behavior:

They are primarily bottom feeders, feeding mostly at night. Highly sensitive barbels enable them to smell a wide variety of food such as insects, plant material, carrion, small fish, snails, crayfish, worms and leeches. 

State Record:

5.72 lbs. Big Catch: 16 inches or 2 lbs.  

Fishing Tips and Facts:

Fair fighters, they are easy to catch with baits such as worms, minnows, shrimp, chicken innards and stinkbaits. They bite throughout the day, but fishing is best at night.   

Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.