Common names
Willow Cat, Forked-tail Cat, Fiddler, Spotted Cat, Lady Cat
Channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Mixed
- Least concern
Max length52 in
Common length22.5 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight57 lb 5 oz
Depth range0 - 50 ft
Max age24 years
Water typeMixed
Water temperature50 - 90 °F
PH range6.0 - 8.0
Fish info
IUCN Vulnerability status
Short description
Channel catfish are North America's most numerous catfish species and the official fish of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Tennessee, and are informally referred to as a "channel cat". In the United States, they are the most fished catfish species with around 8 million anglers targeting them per year. Catfish are easy to distinguish by their whisker-like sensory barbels and forked tail. Unlike flathead catfish, the upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw. Colouration is olive-brown to slate-blue on the back and sides, shading to silvery-white on the belly. Channel catfish have a rounded anal fin and scattered black spots along their back and sides. They also have very few teeth and swallow food whole. Males become especially dark during the spawning season and develop a thickened pad on their heads.
Habitat
They thrive in small and large rivers, reservoirs, natural lakes, and ponds.
Distribution
Well distributed in lower Canada, the eastern and northern United States, to parts of northern Mexico. It has also been widely introduced in Europe, Asia and South America, and it is legally considered an invasive species in many countries.
Behaviour
Primarily bottom feeders, channels also feed higher up. Major foods are aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks, crustaceans and fish - not detritus or decaying material. Channel "cats" are cavity nesters, meaning they lay their eggs in crevices, hollows, or debris, to protect them from swift currents.
Edibility
Very good, catfish are a staple for anglers who eat their catch.
Lure suggestion
Fish on the bottom with a sturdy #2 to #4 hook and a heavy split shot sinker. Be careful of sharp spines when handling these fish. Good baits: chicken liver or gizzards, shrimp, cut mullet and commercial stink baits.