Description
Non-native. Introduced in 1920. Body is yellow-olive to brown on back with
yellowish sides, and yellow to white belly. Slight to no mottling.
Chin barbels are always light in color, either white or pale yellow.
Anal fin is moderately long with a straight profile; Tail fin is rounded.
Length: 6 to 18 inches. Weight: 4 oz. to over 4 pounds.
Location and
Habitat
Widespread; Found in the lower Colorado River, Salt River, Verde River,
Apache Lake, Roper Lake, Parker Canyon Lake and Mormon Lake, to name a
few. Prefer clear water, rocky-bottomed, intermediate-sized streams and
shallow areas of warmwater lakes.
Food
Primarily scavengers, they generally feed at night on small fish, snails,
crustaceans and aquatic insects.
Angling
Often overlooked by anglers, but can be easily caught with worms, nightcrawlers
or crickets, fished on the bottom, at night.
Table
Quality
The yellow bullhead has cream colored meat and has excellent flavor, but
may be soft in the summer months.
