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channel catfish

Catfish

Yellow Bullhead
 
  • A medium-sized catfish with a stout body and caudal fin with a rounded or nearly straight margin
  • Color is olive-brown to black on the back and sides, grading to pale yellow or white on the belly
  • Adults grow to about 18 in. (4 lbs.)

Blue Catfish
 
  • A large, heavy-bodied catfish with a deeply-forked caudal fin
  • Color is pale blue to gray on the back and sides, fading to white on the lower sides and belly
  • Similar to Channel Catfish but differs by having a long, straight-edged (vs. shorter, rounded) anal fin and no dark spots on the body
  • Adults can grow to about 5.5 ft. (150 lbs.), but fish ranging from 20-50 in. (3-60 lbs.) are most common

Channel Catfish
 
  • A long, slender-bodied catfish with a deeply-forked caudal fin
  • Color is olive to pale gray on the back and sides, often with small black spots, and a white belly
  • Similar to the Blue Catfish but differs by having a rounded (vs. straight) anal fin margin and dark spots on the sides of the body (vs. spots absent)
  • Adults can grow to about 4 ft. (60 lbs.), but typically range from 12-32 in. (1-15 lbs.)

Stonecat
 
  • A small catfish with a long, slender body and a straight to slightly rounded caudal fin margin
  • Color is dark grey on the back and sides, with a light spot just behind the dorsal fin, and white belly
  • The adipose fin is fused with the caudal fin, which distinguishes it from the bullheads and larger catfish species
  • Adults grow to about 12 inches

Brindled Madtom
 
  • A small catfish with a short, stout body and rounded caudal fin margin
  • Color is tan to pale yellow with 3-4 dark saddles or bands crossing the back, a black spot near the tip of the dorsal fin, and dark blotch passing through the adipose fin
  • The adipose fin is fused with the caudal fin
  • Adults grow to 5 inches

Flathead Catfish
 
  • A large, slender-bodied catfish with a broad, flattened head and projecting lower jaw
  • Color is yellow to brown, with dark brown and black mottling on the back and sides, fading to pale yellow or white on the belly
  • A white tip on the upper lobe of the caudal fin is usually visible
  • Adults grow to at least 5 ft. (120 lbs.), but fish ranging from 15-50 in. (1-60 lbs.) are most common
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