Dispatch Method:

When handling brown bullheads beware of the sharp spines on the pectoral and dorsal fins. This species can be very tolerant of air exposure, so to maximise their eating qualities brown bullhead should be humanely killed by a firm knock to the head, or iki jime can be attempted if the angler has access to a suitably robust iki jime spike.

Fish Description:

• Brown bullhead have mottled coloring on their body, 8 dark brown to black barbels on the head. They also have 11 to 15 gill rakers on their first gill arch and an almost straight rear edge to the tail fin.
  
• Brown bullhead are bottom dwelling, opportunistic omnivores that eat a wide range of food items.

Fish Distribution:

• Brown bullhead are native to freshwater habitats in Canada and the United States, from Nova Scotia to Mobile Bay, Alabama, and in the Great Lakes.
  
• Brown bullhead have been introduced outside of this range, including in Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, Chile, and Puerto Rico.

Fish Size Common Length:

Common between 8 and 12 inches (20-30 cm). Maximum size around 21 inches (50 cm) long and over 8 pounds (3.6 kg).