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CHANNEL CATFISH
(Ictalurus punctatus)
Common Names - spotted cat, blue channel cat, river
catfish
Description - Channel catfish closely resemble blue
catfish. Both have deeply forked tails. However, channels have a
rounded anal fin with 24-29 rays and scattered black spots along
their back and sides. They have a small, narrow head. The back is
blue-gray with light blue to silvery-gray sides and a white belly.
Larger channels lose the black spots and also take on a blue-black
coloration on the back which shades to white on the belly. Males also
become very dark during spawning season and develop a thickened pad
on their head.
Subspecies - There are no recognized subspecies. However,
on rare occasions, they hybridize with blue and flathead catfish.
Aquaculturists recognize numerous hatchery stocks and create a
variety of hybrids to improve their culture characteristics.
Range - Found throughout the state, except in the Florida
Keys.
Habitat - Most common in big rivers and streams. Prefers
some current, and deep water with sand, gravel or rubble bottoms.
Channel catfish also inhabit lakes, reservoirs and ponds. They adapt
well in standing water where stocked.
Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs mostly in rivers and
streams in the spring and early summer when waters warm to 70 to 85
degrees. They also will spawn in larger lakes where suitable habitat
is available. Eggs are deposited in nests secluded under banks or
logs or over open bottom. The male selects the site, often a natural
cavern or hole, clears the nest and guards the eggs and young. A
female may lay 2,000 to 21,000 eggs that hatch in six to 10 days
depending on water temperature. Males protect the fry until they
leave the nest in about a week.
Feeding Habits - Feeds primarily at night using taste buds
in the sensitive barbels and throughout the skin to locate prey.
Although they normally feed on the bottom, channels also will feed at
the surface and at mid-depth. Major foods are aquatic insects,
crayfish, mollusks, crustaceans and fishes. Small channels consume
invertebrates, but larger ones may eat fish. Contrary to popular
belief, carrion is not their normal food.
Age and Growth - Maximum size attained in Florida is about
45 pounds. The fish's weight generally averages two to four pounds.
Studies indicate 14 years as the maximum age, but some fish probably
live 15 to 20 years.
Sporting Qualities - Most channels are caught by bottom
fishing with baits such as dried chicken blood, chicken livers or
gizzards, and nightcrawlers. They prefer dead or prepared stinkbaits
to live bait, but at times will take live minnows and lures such as
spinners and jigs. Strong fighters with good endurance, they are
frequently caught on trotlines. Since channel catfish can also be
taken by commercial fishermen, except where stocked by the
Commission, they are not legally classified as sportfish. However,
specific regulations
apply and they are eligible for the "Big Catch" program.
NOTE: Channel catfish are reared at Commission hatcheries
and stocked in many managed areas, such as urban ponds,
Commission-managed impoundments and selected fish management areas.
Often in these areas, the Commission provides automatic fish feeders
to help increase the growth rate of catfish, bullhead and bream and
also to concentrate fish for angler harvest.
Eating Quality - Considered one of the best-eating
freshwater fish. The meat is white, tender and sweet when taken from
clean water. Florida aquaculturists and commercial anglers provide
these fish to markets and seafood restaurants throughout the state.
Records - World Record: 58 pounds, caught in the
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina, in 1964. State Record: 44.50 pounds, caught in Lake
Bluff, Lake County, in 1985. (Please check link for updates).
BLUE CATFISH
(Ictalurus furcatus)
Common Names - channel cat, hump-back blue, forktail cat,
great blue cat, silver cat, chucklehead cat, blue fulton
Description - Adult fish have stout bodies with
prominently humped backs in front of the dorsal fin. They resemble
channel catfish by having deeply forked tails, but are dissimilar
because they are unspotted and have a long, straight-edged anal fin
with 30 to 35 rays. The back and upper sides are blue to slate gray,
and the lower sides and belly are white. The internal air bladder has
a constriction in the middle, giving it a two-chambered appearance.
Subspecies - There are no recognized subspecies. They are
known to naturally hybridize with channel catfish. The channel-blue
hybrid is popular among aquaculturists.
Range - Originally found in the Escambia and Yellow rivers in
northwest Florida, they are now also in the Apalachicola and Suwannee. Blues were first officially recorded in 1990 by
Florida Game and Fresh Water Commission biologists despite reports
that anglers had been catching blues for many years.
Habitat - Blues occur in big rivers and in the lower
reaches of major tributaries. They prefer clearer, swifter water than
other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock
bottoms. Their preferred water temperature is 77 to 82 degrees.
Spawning Habits - Spawning and nesting behavior is similar
to others of its family. In late spring, males commonly choose and
clear a nest site, usually in drift piles, logs, root systems or
other dark, secluded areas near the bank. The eggs hatch in about a
week, and males guard the fry in the nest until they swim away a week
or so later.
Feeding Habits - Young blues eat aquatic insects and small
fish while larger blues prefer crayfish, mussels and other fish. They
feed primarily at night.
Age and Growth - Blue catfish grow faster and live longer
than channel catfish. They are the largest member of the catfish
family. Blues may grow to lengths of over 55 inches and may weigh
more than 100 pounds. Maximum life span for blues is unknown but is
probably 20-25 years.
Sporting Qualities - One of the strongest freshwater fish;
blues are caught on bush hooks or trotlines as well as rod and reel.
The most effective baits are cut fish, live fish and nightcrawlers.
They also will take prepared and rotting baits. Most are caught while
bottom fishing with cut fish, rigged on large hooks weighted down by
heavy lead sinkers. Since they can also be taken by commercial
fishermen, no specifics portfishing regulations
currently apply but they are eligible for the "Big Catch" program.
NOTE: Blue catfish are restricted as being potentially detrimental
to the natural ecosystem if they were moved from their current range into
other water bodies and should not be transported alive.
Eating Quality - Considered an excellent food fish with
white, firm, delicately flavored flesh.
Records - World Record: 109.25 pounds, caught in the
Cooper River, Moncks Corner, South Carolina, in 1991. State Record: 61.5 pounds, caught in the
Escambia River, Escambia County, in 1996. (Please check link for
updates)
WHITE CATFISH
(Ameiurus catus)
Common Names - forked-tail cat, catfish
Description - The sides are blue-gray to blue-black and
may be mottled. The tail is moderately forked, and the anal fin is
shorter and rounder than that of channel or blue catfish. Whites have
only 19-22 anal fin rays. The chin barbels are white or yellow. They
have a blunt, more-rounded head, and they lack black spots on their
body.
Subspecies - None
Range - In Florida, they are found statewide in rivers and
streams and in slightly brackish coastal waters.
Habitat - Usually found in slow-moving streams, river
backwaters, reservoirs and ponds. They will tolerate a siltier bottom
and higher salinity, and prefer water temperatures of 80 to 85
degrees.
Spawning Habits - As with other members of its family,
they are nest builders, and the male guards the young for some time
after they hatch. Both parents help excavate the large nest, usually
on a sand or gravel bar. Spawning occurs in the early summer when
waters reach about 70 degrees.
Feeding Habits - Although fish are their major food,
whites also eat larval aquatic insects, small crustaceans, fish eggs
and aquatic plants. They may feed at night, but are not as nocturnal
as other catfish.
Age and Growth - Whites grow more slowly than other
catfish species. Fish as old as 11 years have been documented. They
seldom exceed a weight of three pounds.
Sporting Qualities - Among the catfishes found in Florida,
the white is second only to the channel catfish in popularity. Live
bait, especially minnows and worms, accounts for most caught whites,
but they also will take cut and prepared baits. Since they can also
be taken by commercial fishermen, no specific regulations
currently apply but they are eligible for the "Big Catch" program.
Eating Quality - An excellent food fish, whites are prized
for their firm, white flesh.
Records - World and State Record:
18.88 pounds, caught in the
Withlacoochee River, Marion County, Florida, in 1991.
(Please check link for updates)
YELLOW BULLHEAD
(Ameiurus natalis)
Common Names - butter cat, yellow cat, creek cat,
white-whiskered bullhead, greaser, polliwog, chucklehead cat
Description - The yellow bullhead closely resembles the
brown bullhead with a squat body and a round or square tail. It is
yellow-olive to slate-black above and lighter, often yellow to
yellow-olive, on its sides with little to no mottling. The belly may
be white, cream or yellow. The chin barbels are yellow to buff or
pale pink; the upper barbels, which are light to dark-brown, help
distinguish this species from brown bullheads. The anal fin has a
straight margin with 23 to 27 rays.
Subspecies - There are no known subspecies.
Range - Occurs statewide.
Habitat - The habitat is variable and includes vegetated
areas of clear, shallow lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and slow-flowing
streams. They are more tolerant of polluted environments than most
other members of the catfish family.
Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs in May and June as a
rule, with eggs deposited in a nest usually adjacent to a submerged
object. One or both parents take part in building the nest, and take
turns caring for the eggs, which may number 2,000 to 4,000 and hatch
in five to 10 days. The male guards the eggs and fry.
Feeding Habits - Though scavengers, yellow bullheads
prefer to feed on minnows, snails, shrimp and crayfish. They also
will feed on insect larvae, vegetation and decaying organic matter.
Scent and taste play a vital role in their feeding, most of which is
done at night.
Age and Growth - Little information is available on age
and growth of this species. Generally, they average less than one
pound but can grow up to three pounds.
Sporting Qualities - Easy to catch on cut bait, worms,
crickets, doughballs and a wide variety of natural and prepared
baits. They can be caught at any time of day, but bite best at night.
They are not strong fighters. Since they can also be taken by
commercial fishermen, no specific regulations
currently apply but they are eligible for the "Big Catch" program.
Eating Quality - They are important as a food fish in some
areas and are the dominant species in some waters. The creamy flesh
is quite good when taken from clean water.
Records - World Record: 4.25 pounds, caught in Mormon
Lake, Arizona, in 1984. State Record: None
exists. (Please check link for updates)
BROWN BULLHEAD
(Ameiurus nebulosus)
Common Names - creek cat, mud cat, horned pout, red cat,
speckled cat
Description - The chin barbels on browns are pigmented,
not whitish as with yellow bullheads. The sides of brown bullheads
have a distinct, irregular brownish mottling over a light background.
The belly is creamy white. They have square tails and 20 to 24 anal
ray fins.
Subspecies - Two are recognized: the northern brown
bullhead and the southern brown bullhead. Brown bullheads also are
known to hybridize with black bullheads.
Range - Throughout Florida, except in the extreme southern
part of the state.
Habitat - Browns generally inhabit still or slowly-flowing
warm waters in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, large rivers and sluggish
streams. They prefer water temperatures of 78 to 82 degrees, but can
survive in warmer waters. They inhabit areas with mud or deep muck as
well as sand or gravel bottoms.
Spawning Habits - Browns are nest builders and often
select a site next to some underwater object such as a rock or log.
Both parents often care for the eggs, and guard the young up to a
size of one inch. At times the parent fish have been observed picking
up the eggs or fry in their mouths to clean them, depositing them
back in the nest afterwards.
Feeding Habits - They are primarily bottom feeders,
feeding mostly at night. Highly sensitive barbels enable them to
smell a wide variety of food such as insects, plant material,
carrion, small fish, snails, crayfish, worms and leeches.
Age and Growth - Browns are the largest of the bullheads
and occasionally reach a weight of three pounds, although they
average closer to one pound or less. The maximum age is about 12
years.
Sporting Quality - Fair fighters, they are easy to catch
with baits such as worms, minnows, shrimp, chicken innards and
stinkbait. They bite throughout the day, but fishing is best at
night.
Eating Quality - A good food fish, only slightly inferior
to the white and channel catfish, if caught from clean waters.
Records - World Record: 5.50 pounds, caught in Veal Pond,
Georgia, in 1975. State Record: None Exists.
(Please check link for updates)
FLATHEAD CATFISH
(Pylodictis olivaris)
Common Names - yellow cat, mud cat, shovelhead cat,
johnnie cat, goujon, appaluchion, opelousas
Description - A flattened head, tiny eyes, squarish tail
and protruding lower jaw distinguish the flathead from other catfish
and contribute to it being placed in a genus of its own. They are
yellow-brown and usually mottled above, with a creamy-white or yellow
belly. Small flatheads may be confused with yellow or brown
bullheads.
Subspecies - There are no known subspecies; however, they
have been known to hybridize with channel catfish.
Range - The distribution of flatheads in Florida is
limited. Populations of notable size are found in the Apalachicola
and Escambia rivers in the Florida Panhandle.
Habitat - Flatheads are found mainly in large rivers and
their major tributaries. They prefer long, slow-flowing,
moderately-turbid streams. Adult flatheads are solitary and spend
most of their time in deep water near cover such as log jams or
fallen trees.
Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs in late spring when
water temperatures reach 70 to 80 degrees. One or both parents
excavate the nest that is usually made in a natural cavity or near a
large submerged object. Females lay a golden-yellow mass of up to
100,000 eggs. The nest is guarded and the eggs are agitated by the
male to keep them clean and aerated. The young remain in a school
near the nest for several days after hatching, but soon disperse.
Feeding Habits - Flatheads are predatory fish and will
consume bass, bream, shad, crayfish and often feed on other catfish.
The young rely more extensively on aquatic insects and crayfish than
do the adults. Large flatheads sometime congregate where food is
plentiful such as near tailraces of dams. They often feed at the
surface or in shallow water at night, returning to their residence in
a hole or brush pile to rest during the day. They rarely eat dead or
decaying matter.
Age and Growth - Although flatheads have been aged by
biologists to 19 years, the species is probably capable, based on its
maximum size of about 56 inches, of living much longer. They grow
faster than any other catfish except blue.
Sporting Qualities - Extremely strong fighters. Their
solitary lifestyle, however, makes them more difficult to catch than
other catfish. They bite best at night while in shallow water looking
for food. To catch flatheads, anglers typically fish on the bottom
using heavy tackle with live or freshly cut fish. Trotlines are
effective in catching this species. Since they can also be taken by
commercial fishermen, no specific regulations
currently apply but they are eligible for the "Big Catch" program.
Eating Quality - The species is highly regarded as a food
fish when taken from clean water. The meat is white, firm, and flaky,
with an excellent taste.
Records - World Record: 91.25 pounds, caught on Lake
Lewisville, Texas, in 1982. State Record:
48.4 pounds, caught in the Escambia River, Santa Rosa County,
in 2000. (Please check link for updates)
A Flathead Brochure
with more details is also available (PDF 3.6 mb).
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Channel Catfish
