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Ohio River Catfish Information

Ohio River Catfish History (updated March 2025)

Commercial fishing for catfish has long existed on the Ohio River; however, harvesting trophy-sized fish to sell to pay lake owners has become more prevalent while a market for flesh also remains popular. At the same time, catch and release trophy catfishing has become extremely popular for recreational anglers on the Ohio River. Different viewpoints on how the fishery should be managed has led to conflict between recreational anglers and commercial anglers. Recreational catfish anglers came to KDFWR asking for more stringent regulation for both recreational and commercial anglers, because of a perceived decline in trophy catfish numbers. KDFWR began looking at some basic population parameters of the three major catfish species (blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish) in the Ohio River beginning in 2004. The study was initiated to obtain baseline information on length frequency, weight, and age profiles of these three species and determine methods to more effectively sample each of these species. The conflict was again brought up at a commission meeting in 2012 and it was decided that one additional year of intense sampling would be conducted before a decision on potential regulations was made. Data prior to 2013 was collected from different pools each year and lacked the consistency and standardization to effectively monitor trends of catfish populations in the Ohio River. In 2013 methods for all gear types were standardized and additional effort was put towards sampling to more accurately estimate population dynamics of blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish in the Ohio River.

A public meeting was held in October 2013 to present catfish data that had been gathered during this project and discuss potential regulations that may be put in place. Both recreational and commercial anglers were in attendance and given the opportunity to share their thoughts and suggestions. In November 2013, the following regulations designed to give some protection to trophy catfish were proposed to the Fisheries Committee:

Recreational anglers on the main-stem Ohio River will be allowed one blue catfish ≥35.0 in, one flathead catfish ≥35.0 in, and one channel catfish ≥28.0 in per day. Harvest of fish below their respective length limits will not be regulated.

The majority of commercial fishers fishing in the legal waters of the Ohio River and its tributaries will be allowed one blue catfish ≥35.0 in, one flathead catfish ≥35.0 in, and one channel catfish ≥28.0 in per day. However, 44 commercial fishers that harvested over 10,000 lbs of catfish in at least 2 of the last 3 years along with an additional six commercial fishers, who will be chosen by a lottery drawing, will be allowed a daily harvest of four (in aggregate) blue catfish and flathead catfish ≥40.0 in and channel catfish ≥30.0 inches in Kentucky’s portion of the Ohio River and its tributaries open to commercial fishing below Cannelton Lock and Dam. Harvest of fish below their respective length limits will not be regulated.

After hearing comments from stakeholders in attendance and discussion with the Fisheries Division Director, the Fisheries Committee voted unanimously to pass the proposed regulations on to the full Commission. The regulations were passed by the full Commission at their meeting in December 2013. In June 2014, the regulation was made law; however, an injunction on the regulation was filed by commercial fishers shortly after its enactment and regulations on commercial fishers were not enforceable until December 1, 2014.

Accusations by recreational anglers that overharvest was still occurring on the Ohio River surfaced again in 2018. A working group comprised of the KDFWR Fisheries Committee, KDWFR Director of Fisheries and staff biologist, recreational anglers, commercial fishers, and paylake owners was formed so that all parties were represented in discussions. Multiple workgroup meetings were held to work towards another compromise. Several regulations were proposed and submitted for review. At the time of this report the following regulations have been made law:

The number of commercial fishers awarded trophy permits is 15 (previously 50).

No more than two licensed commercial fishers per boat. If more are present, they may only keep two limits of trophy catfish.

A possession limit (twice the daily limit) was placed on trophy catfish for commercial fishers. This applies when on the water and when trailering fish.

Regulations talk resurfaced once again, and KDFWR suggested the following regulations which were passed unanimously by the Commission in 2023 and became law in 2024:

All commercial fishers are allowed one blue catfish ≥35.0 in, one flathead catfish ≥35.0 in, and one channel catfish ≥28.0 in per day on commercially fishable waters statewide. Trophy permit harvest is now only allowed on the Ohio River from Cannelton Dam downriver to the Ohio River’s confluence with the Mississippi River. As a result, tributaries such as Green River, Cumberland River, and Tennessee Rivers no longer are open to trophy permit harvest laws. Additionally, Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake now have protective regulations.

Commercial fishing on several waterbodies across the state was closed permanently due to low use, low harvest, and/or low abundance of fish (identified by KDFWR sampling and commercial harvest records). The following waterbodies were closed: Barren River, Licking River, Rough River, Tradewater River, Salt River, Eagle Creek, Highland Creek, North Fork Kentucky River, South Fork Kentucky River, and Panther Creek.

Catfish Sampling

2024 Catfish Sampling Summary—More details can be found in the annual report located at the bottom of this page.

Trotlines—CPUE of blue catfish in 2024 was 5.3 fish/50 hooks. Catch rate of blue catfish had been gradually increasing since 2013 until 2023. Catch rate of trophy-size (≥35.0 in) blue catfish has remained consistent since 2018.

Hoop nets—Catch rate of channel catfish was 2.6 fish/net-night which is the highest since 2019. Flathead catfish CPUE was 1.0 fish/net-night, and was just below the historical average (CPUE=1.1 fish/net-night). Unseasonably low flow and below average water temperatures during the 2023 and 2024 sampling season likely had negative impacts on catch rates.

Electrofishing—Electrofishing was conducted on the Kentucky River and Green River. Catch rate of blue catfish in the Kentucky River (CPUE = 2.8 fish/hr) and Green River (CPUE = 3.2 fish/hr) were much lower than expected when compared to historical averages in the Ohio River. Flathead catfish in the Kentucky River (CPUE = 26.9 fish/hr) and Green River (CPUE = 32.4 fish/hr) were slightly lower than Ohio River averages. Additionally size structure of both blue catfish and flathead catfish in the Kentucky River and Green River were noticeably skewed towards smaller fish compared to the Ohio River.

Ohio River Catfish Information

Ohio River Annual Sampling Reports

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