Flathead Catfish
(Pylodictis olivaris)
Other names: Yellow Cat, Opolousa cat, Mud cat, shovelhead
Channel Catfish
(Ictalurus punctatus)
Other names: Spotted catfish, river cat, blue-channel cat
Blue Catfish
(Ictalurus furcatus)
Other names: Forked-tail cat, chucklehead
Catfish are found nearly everywhere in the United States and in much of Mexico and Canada. Though the three main species of American catfish are not all the same, they are much more alike than different. Catfish live on the bottom of lakes, rivers and ponds – often in areas with hard sand bottoms, though flatheads are known to prefer muddier locales.
Named for the barbels near its mouth that resemble cat's whiskers, catfish are immediately recognizable by this feature and their scaleless skin. Also of note are the sharp spines on the shoulders and back. Catfish have highly complex bone structures that form an extremely sensitive hearing apparatus, much like their cousins the minnow and sucker.
Blue and Channel catfish prefer to feed on crawfish, minnows and small invertebrates, but will feed opportunistically and scavenge at times. Flatheads are nearly exclusive live bait eaters and thus considered slightly tastier than their relatives, though all three have firm flesh that is popular across the country and farm raised in the South.
Catfish live in rivers, lakes and ponds everywhere. They are able to easily adapt to a wide range of habitat. When spawning, catfish become especially difficult to catch as the males will not eat for a period of several days; however, the entire population in a given body of water will generally not spawn at the same time so the fishing can still be quite good. Blue and channel cats will relocate upstream in creeks and tributaries when the water approaches ideal spawning temperature, while flatheads are a little more predictable and will stay in roughly the same area all year.
Though cats are certainly caught on jigs and plastic worms from time to time, natural bait fishing is much preferred. A nightcrawler or piece of meat are good choices for average catfish fishing, but many people target the big boys with large shad or goldfish on a 6/0 circle hook. A Lindy Rig is a fine way to catch catfish as well and many people catch their limits while looking for walleye and other fish.
When catfish follow gar up to their spawning grounds to gorge on fresh eggs, anglers have great success with a gob of worms or cut bait on a hook below a Little Joe Pole Float. The large profile of the Pole Float allows anglers to anchor out away from the bank and make long casts to the shallows without spooking the feeding fish.
Other popular tactics for targeting catfish involve lines that are not attended by a fisherman. Yo-yos, set lines and trot lines may all be set out and baited with liver, cut bait or wads of nightcrawlers or a Little Joe jug line can be attached to any two-liter bottle and tossed out baited with the same. The great thing about jug fishing is that anglers will often toss out a few jugs as they fish for crappie and other species and come back by hours later when the action has slowed to see what they've caught.
Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Average spawning water temperature: 66-75 degrees F
World Record: 123 lbs. 9 oz. – Elk City Reservoir, Kansas – May 14, 1998
Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Average spawning water temperature: 70-84 degrees F
World Record: 58 lbs. – Lake Moultrie, South Carolina – July 7, 1964
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
Average spawning water temperature: 70-84 degrees F
World Record: 124 lbs.– Mississippi River, Illinois – May 22, 2005