EVER TRY BULLHEAD FISHING?

Lincoln, Neb. -- You dont hear much about bullheads any more. Back in the days when most anglers fished primarily in rivers and streams, they and their families consumed the fish they caught and bullheads were always a welcome addition to the menu.

Today, the bullhead is often considered to be the weak sister of channel catfish, not worthy of the effort required to catch them.

Bullheads arent an extremely large fish. The Nebraska state record is just 3- pounds, 15-ounces, and a 2-pounder is generally considered to be good one. But, veteran bullhead fishermen are quick to point out that size isnt everything.

All it takes is a can of nightcrawlers, a light rod and a medium-sized bobber and youre in the bullhead business. Bullheads are found in slow-moving rivers and creeks, farm ponds, and small lakes. They thrive in shallow lakes that occasionally suffer from winter-kill and where other species such as largemouth bass, yellow perch or bluegill dont do well because of marginal water quality.

Use a weight on the line just heavy enough to lightly anchor the bait near the bottom to attract bullheads. Use a quarter-sized bobber and set it with a little slack. In a pond or lake, cast the bait near some type of structure such as a shallow dropoff or near shallow- water vegetation. In a river or creek, place the bait in slow-moving water near shore.

Lakes in the Sandhills often offer quality bullhead fishing, as do Merritt Reservoir near Valentine and Lake McConaughy near Ogallala. Czechland and Cottontail lakes in the southeast also have good populations. Bullheads also occur in farm ponds across the state.

Before heading to the lake, you can purchase a 2004 Nebraska fishing permit and Aquatic Habitat Stamp online from the Game and Parks Commissions web site at www.outdoornebraska.org, from a Game and Parks office or any of some 900 permit vendors across the state. With a few exceptions, any angler 16 years old or older is required to have a Nebraska fishing permit to fish in Nebraska. The resident annual fishing permit costs $15, a nonresident annual fishing permit is $45, and the Aquatic Habitat Stamp, required of all residents and nonresidents, 18 years and older, is $5. Also pick up a free copy of the 2004 Nebraska Fishing Guide which information about fishing regulations and public waters across the state.

 

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