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Scientific Name
Pylodictis olivaris
Other Names
Appaloosa cat, Shovelhead cat, Tabby cat, Willow cat, Spotted cat, and Yellow cat
Description
Flathead catfish adults are full bodied fish with small eyes, a flat head, and a round caudal fin (tail). The lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw. Flathead catfish are a mottled grey to an olive/tan color on the back. The belly is yellow or white in color. These fish can reach lengths of over 4 feet and weights of more than 90 pounds.
Habits and Habitat
Adult flatheads feed mostly on the bottom on crayfish and smaller fish such as darters, sunfishes, minnows, shad, and smaller catfish. Feeding and movement increase at night. Flathead catfish are normally found in deep pools of streams or rivers and are normally associated with underwater structure. They are often commonly found in oxbow lakes and reservoirs in Mississippi. Spawning begins in May and continues through July in logs, holes, or depressions on the bottom when water temperatures reach about 72ºF to 75ºF. Males guard the nests even after eggs hatch. Tagging studies have shown flatheads are territorial and tend to stay in the same area. Flatheads should never be stocked in bass-bream ponds due to their voracious fish-eating habits. They will eliminate almost all but the very smallest bream from a pond.
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record is 77.7 pounds, caught by Matt Bingham in the Mississippi River in April 2012.
Fishing Fact
The use of trotlines, limb lines, rod-and-reel, and jugs with live bait, along with hand-grabbing, are all common methods of catching flathead catfish. Because of their size and good eating qualities, they are usually considered the trophy of the catfish clan.