How to Catch a Bullfrog

Co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA

Last Updated: August 10, 2024 References

Bullfrogs make a deep, rumbling song in the spring and summer. At night, you’ll see their bright eyes looking back at you from the shoreline. If you are excited to catch bullfrogs, you should check with state authorities to find out when the season is scheduled and what places you can go hunting in your region. As long as you have a license and a few simple tools, catching bullfrogs can be an enjoyable summer activity. Remember to respect any bullfrogs you catch and to release the small ones!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Catching Bullfrogs

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1
Choose your tools. This will depend on what your goals are. If you are planning to just catch frogs for fun, you may want different tools than if you're planning to eat frog legs for dinner. Bullfrogs can be caught bare-handed, but your hands should be clean and wet. Bullfrogs absorb things through their skin, so dirty hands could harm the frog. Alternatively, you may want to consider other tools, such as a frog gig. A frog gig is especially good for catching larger bullfrogs. If you don’t have a frog gig, a fishing net is also a good option. You’ll also need a flashlight and something to hold the bullfrogs, like a bucket. ^{[1]
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- If you are catching frogs to keep in an aquarium, you may want to use a net or your hands.
- A fishing net with a longer pole works best!
- The brighter the flashlight, the better!
- If you use a fishing pole, a fly fishing lure without a barb is a good choice.
- If you're transporting the frog, consider bringing a large plastic bucket with a lid.
2
Find a good bullfrog habitat. Bullfrogs dwell in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. They tend to live where there is a tree canopy, cattails, and little to no current. Make sure you are hunting on public land during bullfrog season. ^{[2]
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- Never hunt for bullfrogs in a conservation area.
- Don’t hunt on private property, unless it is your own.
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Bullfrogs make a distinctive low-toned bass-like call, which sounds like a low "Ru-u-umm - Ru-u-umm." From early spring until summer, the male bullfrogs will sing together in a deep, roaring tone. Follow this sound to catch them. ^{[3]
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Wait until the moon comes out to go frogging. Since it is easier to see the bullfrogs at night, you’ll want to wait till it is really dark outside. ^{[4]
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5
Shine an LED light along the shoreline to find bullfrogs. Use your LED flashlight to light up the shoreline of the pond or stream. Move the beam of light slowly until you see a pair of bullfrog eyes. ^{[5]
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- If the eyes are set wide apart, it is a big bullfrog. ^{[6]
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If you are walking, take gentle steps. If you are in a canoe, don’t let your paddle hit the side of the canoe. Stop and pause occasionally, since you are likely to spot frogs more easily if you search for movement on the banks or in the river or bog. ^{[7]
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7
Shine the light in their eyes to “jack” the bullfrog. As soon as you get to around 10 or 15 yards away, direct the LED light right into their eyes. This method is called “Jacking.” The bullfrog will go into a trance, like a deer in your car headlights. Use this opportunity to catch the bullfrog with your hands, frog gig or other instrument. ^{[8]
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- “Jacking" a bullfrog means using a strong flashlight directed at the frog's eyes at night.
8
Pounce quickly and use a firm grip. Since bullfrogs are quick to respond to movement, you’ll need to pounce quickly and use a firm grip. They can easily slip out of your hands, so grab them firmly around the upper thighs. You will probably only get one chance. ^{[9]
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- Hold the bullfrog by grasping around the upper thighs with its legs together. This position minimizes chance of injury, while making it difficult for the critter to get away.
Take the bullfrog off the gig, if you used one, and put it in the sack or container. Close the lid. If it is a burlap sack, pull the drawstring to close the bag. Unless you close the container or bag, the bullfrog will hop away! ^{[10]
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If you are catching bullfrogs to eat, you should let the little frogs go! Use your hands to catch the little ones and then put them back in the water. ^{[11]
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If you see a larger size bullfrog with eyes set wide apart, you’ll need a bigger tool! Don’t bother with the regular sized, 2-inch frog gig. Rather, pick the five-pronged frog gig to ensnare the larger bullfrogs. ^{[12]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Meeting Bullfrog Hunting and Fishing Regulations

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1
Find out the bullfrog season in your region (if applicable). You’ll need to find out the local bullfrog season for your region. Although a few places, like Texas and Florida or locations where bullfrogs are considered an invasive species, allow bullfrog hunting all year, most places have a few summer months designated for bullfrog hunting. Your local tackle store should be able to give you the dates for bullfrog season but, if they can’t tell you, you can always contact your local department of parks and wildlife. ^{[13]
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- For instance, the bullfrog season in Kansas goes from July 1st to October 1st. ^{[14]
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2
Decide whether you are going bullfrog hunting or fishing. Since the type of license you require to catch bullfrogs often depends on how you will catch them, you’ll need to make this decision before getting your license. Once you have an idea of what kind of fishing or hunting instrument you want to use, such as a frog gig, you should contact your department of fish and wildlife to find out if it is legal and what type of license is required. ^{[15]
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- A traditional and challenging way of catching bullfrogs is by hand, which is a lot of fun!
- Many people prefer to use a six or eight-foot pole with barbed tines, which is called a frog gig. People also use fishing lines, dip nets, bows, and rifles.
- If you are using a fishing net, you may need a fishing license.
Call your department of parks and wildlife to find out what license you need. If you are using fishing methods to catch bullfrogs, you’ll need a fishing license. However, if you are shooting bullfrogs, you’ll obviously need a hunting license. Pay for the license that is required for your region and the instrument you want to use. ^{[16]
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Stay within the fishing or hunting limit. Your region will have a limit on the number of bullfrogs you can catch during bullfrog season, which is typically set by the department of parks and wildlife. Give them a ring or look on the website to find out the limit for your region. It is important to stay within this limit, which will help to ensure the integrity of local ecosystems and allow you to come back and catch more frogs next season! ^{[17]
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- For instance, Kansas has a limit of 24 bullfrogs.

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Bullfrogs live longer than other North American frogs, so they tend to be more intelligent than their smaller cousins.

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Frogs are likely to swim downwards when panicked, so try to scoop up with a net when hunting in the water rather than bringing it downwards.

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Leave your dog at home. Most dogs will simply scare all the wildlife away.

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Warnings

Respect property rights and posted areas while out in your hunts.

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Avoid small bodies of stagnant water, which may have lots of dangerous bacteria.

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Frogs have small teeth that can hurt sensitive skin.

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Don't wear any sunscreen or bug spray on your hands. Not only will it make your hands slippery, it can harm the frogs because they will absorb the chemicals through their skin.

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American Bullfrogs are aggressive amphibians. Please be careful when you try to catch or handle them.

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Make sure that what you are catching is in fact a bullfrog and not some endangered frog.

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If your region has crocodiles or alligators, exercise extreme caution when frog hunting! ^{[18]
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Things You’ll Need

Old laundry sack
Boots
LED flashlight

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How to Catch a Bullfrog

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Catching Bullfrogs

Meeting Bullfrog Hunting and Fishing Regulations

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