Bullhead Catfishes

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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