Common names
Yellow cat, Mud cat, Johnnie cat, Goujon, Appaluchion, Opelousas, Pied cat, Mississippi cat
Flathead catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
- Mixed
- Least concern
Max length61 in
Common length46 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight121 lb 4 oz
Max age25 years
Water typeMixed
Fish info
IUCN Vulnerability status
Short description
Flathead catfish have a wide flat head, as the common name suggests, but other than that, they looks like any other catfish. They have smooth, scaleless skin, whisker-like barbels around the mouth, and long spines on the dorsal (back) fin and one on each side of the pectoral (shoulder) fin. They have tiny eyes, a square-ish tail and a protruding lower jaw, these features distinguish flathead from other catfish. Flathead catfish are typically pale yellow (hence the name "yellow cat") to light brown on the back and sides, and highly mottled with black and/or brown. The belly is usually pale yellow or cream coloured. Young fish may be very dark, almost black in appearance.
Habitat
Flathead catfish prefer deep pools of streams, rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, where the water is turbid (cloudy) and the currents are slow.
Distribution
The native range of the flathead catfish includes a broad area west of the Appalachian Mountains encompassing large rivers of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio basins. The range extends as far north as Canada, as far west as Texas, and south to the Gulf of Mexico including northeastern Mexico.
Behaviour
Spawning occurs in late spring. One or both parents excavate the nest that is usually made in a natural cavity or near a large submerged object. The nest is guarded and the eggs are agitated by the male to keep them clean and aerated. Although not exclusively nocturnal, flatheads are more active at night and may spend the day inactive in deep water or under cover. They feed on other fish smaller fish, especially catfish and sunfish.
Edibility
Very good, many hardcore catfish fishermen believe a young flathead has a delightful flavour that is preferable to the other catfish species.
Lure suggestion
To catch flatheads, anglers typically fish on the bottom using heavy tackle with live (flatheads feed primarily on live baits.) or freshly cut fish. Scented lures that rattle or vibrate still work good as well, because they stimulate multiple senses, making them easier for cats to detect. Good bait: live perch, bluegill, sunfish, goldfish, or mudcats.