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Scientific Name
Ictalurus punctatus
Other Names
Fiddler, Willow cat, Speckled cat, Spotted cat, Government cat, and River cat
Description
Channel catfish have elongated bodies with a whitish belly and olive or brown body. They have a deeply forked tail, barbels, and black spots on the sides and tail. Channel catfish can be distinguished from blue catfish by their rounded anal fin (versus straight in blue catfish) and the presences of dark spots on the body. These spots are weigh between 5 and 10 pounds but can reach weights of over 50 pounds. These fish can reach lengths of up to 50 inches. Channel catfish normally live at least 6 to 10 years but can live longer.
Habits and Habitat
Channel catfish feed on insects larvae, crustaceans, crayfish, and small fish such as gizzar shad and minnows. These fish are active at night in streams, rivers, oxbow lakes, and ponds. Channel catfish spawn in late spring to early summer when water temperatures are between 60°F and 75°F. Channel catfish are raised commercially in the Delta and other areas in the state. Channel catfish are often stocked in small lakes and ponds. If too many are stocked in bass-bream ponds, the results is poor growth of all fish and muddy water from the feeding action of overabundant catfish.
State Record
Mississippi's Rod and Rell is 51 pounds 12 ounces, caught by Tom Edwards at Lake Tom Bailey in 1997.
Fishing Fact
These fish can be caught in a variety of ways including hand grabbing, jugs, limb-lines, rod and reels, and trotlines. Best baits to use are liver, stink baits, cut fishes, and worms; they are rarely caught on artificial's.