UTERBrown bullhead fishing in New York freshwater
In New York freshwater, brown bullhead peak April–June and are around year-round, spawning in June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Spring bullhead nights — the first warm rain after ice-out.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Brown bullhead in New York freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakSpring bullhead nights — the first warm rain after ice-out.
- MayPeak
- JuneSpawning
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish brown bullhead near Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain
Oneida's walleye and perch, the Finger Lakes' lakers, Champlain and the St. Lawrence for bass and muskie, Catskill trout rivers, Adirondack ponds, and the Great Lakes runs (see the lake guides).
What to use for brown bullhead
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 40–88°F water, best at 60–78°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch brown bullhead in New York freshwater?
Peak season is April–June, with fish spawning in June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Brown bullhead are here year-round. April: Spring bullhead nights — the first warm rain after ice-out.
Where do brown bullhead hold in New York freshwater?
Look on pond / pit, lake, creek / stream — around Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence River, Lake George, Catskill rivers.
What is the best bait for brown bullhead in New York freshwater?
Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for brown bullhead in New York freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and change — read the current rule at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license.
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All about brown bullhead · New York fresh water, the whole year