Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Bullheads... forage fish

what size lmb or walleye would consume a 8-10 inch bullhead and would a bullhead be like the last choice on a bass or walleyes mind for dinner if there were bg's perch and various minnows?

Recent research showed that only 12% of catfish 4"-8" long were eaten by 2 to 4 lb LM bass. Bass would often repeatedly attack a catfish and even kill it without eating it. Catfish-bullheads have the ability to lock spines 90 degrees from the body into place to avoid predation (Bosher et al 2006. The spines of the channel catfish, Ictalurus puncatus as an anti-predator adapation: an experimental study. Ethology 112:188-195).

Bullheads and catfish up to 2" long are most vulnerable to predation. Perch and minnows would be MUCH preferred food items of LMB and walleye.

Interesting post Bill. I have seen several dead bullhead in my pond over the years that were skinned on the back half. I often wondered if the bass could be responsible for that. In my experience, bass are good at controlling bullhead numbers but they do it by eating the young. Removing the adults is my job.

OT Snapping turtles and large water snakes can handle pretty big bullhead! Heres a fellow I came across yesterday. He got that bullhead down eventually.

does anybody with a successful pond have a considerable population of bullheads?

A "strong" population of mixed sizes of LMB will usually control bullheads so they grow well in the presence of other panfish.

slipbobby--I have seen numerous successfully managed ponds that have a population of large bullheads.
In the north, bullheads live 6 to 8 years. In the south, 1 to 3. When you begin managing other game fish, especially bass, the largemouth will actively feed on small bullheads, as well as the other smaller fish.
Part of your management strategy could entail trapping bullheads. They readily go into a baited trap. They are also pretty easy to catch, should you wish to spend the time and energy.
So, I wouldn't necessarily see them a deal killer.
At the same time, if your survey suggests that you have too many of them to reasonably manage, you may choose to eradicate and start over. Sometimes that's a good choice, too.

My bullhead population is now out of control in my opinion.

I used to only have larger bullheads >12", with no smaller ones. During this time period, I feel my LMB were keeping the numbers in check. During this time, you would only catch a bullhead every now and again.

Now, I have many sizes of bullies from 4" up to greater than 12". When I throw out feed, these nasties dominate the area just writhing around each other. Nasty.

For whatever reason, my predator population is not keeping them in check.

This could be because my last delivery of Golden Shiners (about two months ago) had shiners that were 5-6+" long.

I think my predator fish prefer these larger shiners over the bullheads.

I've put out some of the plastic trash can type traps, but so far they have not yielded anything.
I have to check in with my caretaker and see if he's found any in my "traps."

For this year, removing bullheads is going to be the major project.