Although the fish is yellow-brown in color, it has black chin barbels, so it is a black bullhead (Ameiurus melas). If it was a yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) it would have white barbels. Black bullheads will have 17-21 anal rays, while yellow bullheads have 23 to 27 anal rays. Both are commonly called mud cats or polliwogs.

Thanks for the ID. I figured it was a bullhead. I've had my place for about 7 years and haven't seen them in my pond (stocked with bream, black bass and channel cats). I've now caught two in the last two months.

Throw them on bank for the critters to keep them from over running you pond.

Heck yeah...they are very prolific spawners!!

Back east they call them "Horned Pouts." If I told you what I call them, I'd serve time in the Wall of Shame.

Bullheads may not be a problem for your pond, depending on your goals. If you want them out, stock the pond with flathead catfish. Flatheads love bullheads and will eventually eliminate them from the pond.

Barry always makes the right call!

I appreciate the comments and advice.

We had yellow bullheads up at our ranch in Dumas. They moved through the irrigation canals from pond to pond and you could catch them within 15 seconds of casting. We even found them in the metal cattle tanks. They kept the leeches out of those at least.