Brown Bullhead: Ameirus nebulosus
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.
Browns generally inhabit still or slowly-flowing warm waters in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, large rivers and sluggish streams.
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: 7.02 lbs.
Big Catch minimum: 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.
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.