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Channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Identification
Blue-gray to olive with scattered dark spots on younger fish (which fade with age) and a deeply forked tail.
Where It's Found
The most widely distributed catfish species in North America — rivers, lakes, and reservoirs nationwide, most active feeding at night along the bottom.
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Fishing Notes
A go-to species for bottom fishing with cut bait, chicken liver, or stink bait; also stocked heavily in urban ponds, making it one of the most accessible gamefish in the country.
Scientific Classification▾
Family
Ictaluridae
Genus
Ictalurus
Order
Siluriformes
Class
Actinopterygii
Phylum
Chordata
Kingdom
Animalia
Ready to go fishing?
Find a boat ramp near you and check state fishing regulations before you head out.
Photography sourced from Wikimedia Commons contributors.