Below you will find some information about the 3 most targeted species in the USA. Catfish species live in inland or coastal waters of every continent except Antarctica. It will be impossible to have information here about every catfish since there are over 3000 different species in the world and the largest catfish can reach weights of over 600 lbs!

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus Furcatus)

Ohio Record: 96.0 lb World Record: 130.0 lb

The blue catfish is one of the largest species of freshwater fish in North America. Only the alligator gar and a few species of sturgeon get larger. Common Name: channel cat, hump-back blue, forktail cat, great blue cat, silver cat Description: Blue catfish have a deeply forked tail and light gray or silver colored body. They get their name from the blue overcast to their body most obvious on the top of their head and down their back. Blue catfish differ from the very similar channel catfish by having a longer anal fin (30-36 rays compared to 24-30 on a channel catfish) with a straight bottom edge, as opposed to a rounded bottom edge. Also, blue catfish never have black spots on their body like those on young channel catfish Feeding Habits: Primarily feeds on other fish but will eat a wide variety of items. Habitat & Habits: Blue catfish are a warm-water fish found primarily in large rivers and lakes. They are native in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers and their large tributaries. This encompasses a region extending from Minnesota and South Dakota south through Texas, Mexico, and northern Guatemala east to the Appalachians. They have been introduced with some success outside this range. Blue catfish have adapted quite well when stocked in large rivers and reservoirs with suitable habitat, and are now present in large numbers in the southern United States. In Ohio they are found in the Ohio River and the lower portion of its larger tributaries. They are most common in the Ohio River from Portsmouth down stream to Cincinnati. Reproduction: Blue catfish spawn in late spring or early summer when water temperatures first reach 70 to 75 F. Males choose a nest site in or under hollow logs or large holes under the bank. The nest is then guarded by the male until the eggs hatch. Typical Size: Blue catfish commonly attain weights of 20 to 40 pounds, and may reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds. It is reported that fish exceeding 350 pounds were landed from the Mississippi River during the late 1800's Ideal Water Temperture: 70 - 82 degrees

Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus)

Ohio Record: 37.65 lb World Record: 58.0 lb

The channel catfish is a popular sport and food fish. It is active during the night, moving around and finding food after dusk. During the day it will most likely be found in deep water with little activity Common Name: Spotted cat, silver cat, river cat, squeaker cat Description: The channel catfish, like other catfish, has no scales, a single bony spine in each pectoral fin and the dorsal fin, and 8 barbels around the mouth. They have a deeply forked tail and the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. The dorsal and pectoral spines are sharp and deeply serrated, and the anal fin is curved and has between 24 and 30 rays. The body can be blue, gray, silver, or almost black. Their belly is usually white or cream colored. Small individuals are usually more silver in color and often have many black spots on their sides. Some anglers mistakenly call large channel catfish with few or no spots blue catfish, but the blue catfish has an anal fin with a straight edge and greater than 30 rays. Feeding Habits: They are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of items including insect larvae, crayfish, mollusks, fish (dead or alive), and even some types of fruits and berries. Habitat & Habits: Channel catfish are native to Ohio and are found throughout Ohio in large streams, rivers, and lakes. They are also stocked in many farm ponds where they do well but rarely reproduce. Channel catfish prefer areas with deep water, clean gravel or boulder substrates and low to moderate current. However, they are tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Reproduction: Channel catfish begin spawning when water temperatures reach 70 °F. They use natural cavities, undercut banks and muskrat burrows as nests. The female lays a gelatinous mass containing between 8,000 to 15,000 eggs. The parents remain over the nest to fan the eggs and guard the young after hatching. Typical Size: Typically 15-25 inches, can reach over 40 inches. Usually weighs 2-10 pounds, can reach over 50 pounds Ideal Water Temperture: 82 - 89 degrees

Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis Olivaris)

Ohio Record: 76.5 lb World Record: 123.9 lb

The flathead catfish is a popular sport and food fish. It is native to Ohio and can be found in large river systems and in the larger reservoirs of Ohio. Common Name: Shovelhead, mudcat, yellow catfish Description: The flathead catfish is the only North American catfish species whose lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. Their head is flattened between the eyes and they have a very large mouth. This is also the only large catfish with a square tail. Their body color is usually yellow-olive or a brown with dark brown blotches. Their belly is yellow or yellowish white. Feeding Habits: Feeds almost entirely on live fish.. Habitat & Habits: Adults prefer deep pools with slow current and cover, such as submerged logs and brush piles. They are found in large rivers in Ohio and are most abundant in the Maumee, Muskingum, Scioto, and Ohio Rivers. They can also be found in most of the larger reservoirs in the state. Reproduction: Flathead catfish spawn when water temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They build nests in dark secluded shelters such as natural cavities, undercut banks, or near large submerged objects. The eggs are laid in a compact golden-yellow mass which is fanned continuously. The egg mass may contain as many as 100,000 eggs. After hatching, the young remain near the nest for several days in a large compact school. Typical Size: Typically 20-40 inches, can reach nearly 60 inches. Usually weighs 10-40 pounds, and may reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds. Ideal Water Temperture: 75 - 84 degrees

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