Understanding Catfish

Florida Catfish

Blue Catfish:



Appearance:
Adults have stout bodies with prominently humped backs in front of the dorsal fin. They resemble channel catfish by having deeply forked tails, but are lack the spots and have a longer, straight-edged anal. The back and upper sides are blue to slate gray, and the belly is white.

Habitat:
Originally found in the Escambia and Yellow rivers in northwest Florida, they are now also in the Apalachicola and Suwannee. Blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. They prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock bottoms.

Behavior:
Young blues eat aquatic insects and small fish while larger blues prefer crayfish, mussels and other fish.

State Record:
64.5 pounds caught by James Mitchell, August 4, 2008 in the Choctawhatchee River.

Fishing Tips and Facts:
One of the strongest freshwater fish; blues are caught on bush hooks or trotlines as well as rod and reel. Most are caught bottom fishing with cut fish, or stink baits rigged on large hooks with heavy lead sinkers.

 

Brown Bullhead:



Appearance:
Chin barbels on browns are pigmented, not whitish as with yellow bullheads. The sides of brown bullheads have a distinct, irregular brownish mottling over a light background. The belly is creamy white. They have square tails.

Habitat:
Browns generally inhabit still or slowly-flowing warm waters in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, large rivers and sluggish streams.

Behavior:
They are primarily bottom feeders, feeding mostly at night. Highly sensitive barbels enable them to smell a wide variety of food such as insects, plant material, carrion, small fish, snails, crayfish, worms and leeches.

State Record:
5.72 lbs. Big Catch: 16 inches or 2 lbs.

Fishing Tips and Facts:
Fair fighters, they are easy to catch with baits such as worms, minnows, shrimp, chicken innards and stinkbaits. They bite throughout the day, but fishing is best at night.

 

Channel Catfish:


Appearance:
Catfish are easy to distinguish by their whisker-like sensory barbels and a forked tail. Channel catfish have a rounded anal fin and scattered black spots along their back and sides. Males become especially dark during spawning season and develop a thickened pad on their head.

Habitat:
Channel catfish are found throughout Florida, and spawn in holes and crevices.

Behavior:
Primarily bottom feeders, channels also feed higher up. Major foods are aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks, crustaceans and fish - not detritus or decaying material.

State Record:
44.50 lbs. Big Catch: 31 inches or 15.0 lbs.

Fishing Tips and Facts:
Catfish are a staple for anglers who eat their catch. Use baits with strong odors: chicken liver or gizzards, shrimp, cut mullet and commercial stinkbaits. Catfish are most active just before dusk and at night. Fish on the bottom with a sturdy #2 to #4 hook and a heavy split shot sinker. Be careful of sharp spines when handling these fish. The FWC stocks 200,000-300,000 annually in public waters.

 

Yellow Bullhead:


Appearance:
Similar to brown bullhead but with light colored barbels.

Habitat:
The habitat is variable and includes vegetated areas of clear, shallow lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and slow-flowing streams. They are more tolerant of polluted environments than most other members of the catfish family.

Behavior:
Though scavengers, yellow bullheads prefer to feed on minnows, snails, shrimp and crayfish.

State Record:
5.05 pounds (15.25 inches). Big Catch: 14 inches or 1.5 lbs.

Fishing Tips and Facts:
Easy to catch on cut bait, worms, crickets, doughballs and a wide variety of natural and prepared baits.

 

Walking Catfish: Clarias batrachus


Appearance:
Elongated, gray, and scaleless catfish-type body with a large mouth, sharp pectoral spines, and four pairs of barbels; light to dark gray in color, but albinos occur; noted for ability to breath air and make short overland movements by pulling themselves along with their pectoral fins much like an infantry-man scooting under barbed wire; early accounts that this fish would eliminate native fishes were erroneous, and it has not had major detrimental effects; species occasionally abundant and still considered undesirable.

Range:
Most commonly encountered in Everglades and associated canals, but also occurs throughout central and south Florida; first reported in 1967 in Broward County and later in Hillsborough County, now these two populations have joined; abundance has decreased since 1970. Native range southeast Asia.

Habitat:
Prefers shallow and highly vegetated water bodies; sometimes abundant in small deeper ponds without normal complement of native fishes. They sometimes dominate small Everglades pools during the dry season, but not necessarily to the exclusion of native fishes. They are much less abundant in large lakes and canals, and then usually only found in shallow vegetated areas; can live and even thrive in water with little to no oxygen since can breathe air; well-adapted to transient water bodies with muddy bottoms that partially dry up seasonally; occasionally found in road storm drainage systems from which they emerge during flooding events; habitat preferences tend to segregate this fish thereby reducing its overall effect on native species.

Behavior:
Spawning Habitats: Little known, but reports from India indicate spawn early in rainy season when build nests in submerged vegetation; adhesive eggs laid on vegetation, and guarded by male.

Feeding Habits: Opportunistic consuming a wide variety of food items including small fishes, aquatic insects, plant material, and detritus; also scavenges on dead fish, et al.

Age and Growth:
Fairly rapid with sizes up to about 12 inches; maximum size about 20 inches and three pounds.

Sporting Quality:
None

Edibility
Not commonly eaten in western societies, but prized in native range (possibly in part because they can be kept live in moist bags for transport); no bag or size limits.

State Record:
N/A

Fishing Tips and Facts:
Special Note: Possession and transportation of live walking catfish is illegal without special state and federal permits; can only be possessed dead, so anglers who want to try eating them should immediately put them on ice.

 

Sailfin Catfish: Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus



Appearance:
All three suckermouth catfishes (family Loricariidae) in Florida have rows of bony plates covering all but their belly area. Sailfin catfish are distinguished by worm-like pattern of dark markings on the head over a dark-golden background; pectoral fins stout with rough surfaces resembling course sandpaper; disc-like, protrusible mouth is under the head, and used like a suction cup to attach and feed on algae; females tend to be smaller, and fish larger than 18 inches probably males; lifeless and hollowed-out 'armored' bodies sometimes seen on canal and lake banks



Similar Species:
Vermiculated sailfin (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) and suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus sp) are also found in Florida; vermiculated sailfin catfish have worm-like markings similar to but generally bolder than sailfin catfish which is the easiest way to distinguish these two species; suckermouth catfish is a shorter, stouter fish (maximum size less than 17 inches); has a pattern of black spots on head and less than 10 dorsal fin rays while other loricariids in Florida have 10 or more dorsal fin rays and worm-like markings on head.


Picture on left: Left, Orinoco Sailfin Catfish, Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus. Discrete brown spots on ventral surface; Right, Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish, P. disjunctivus. Brown, worm shaped markings.
Picture on right: Suckermouth Catfish, Hypostomus spp. Dorsal fin with <10 rays. Small, discrete dark spots on head. Head broader relative to size than sailfin catfish.
Image credits: Kelly Gestring and Murray Stanford.



Range:
The sailfin catfish is by far the most successful, abundant, and widespread loricariid in Florida, and is found throughout central and south Florida. Although the suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus sp.) has been in Florida since the 1950s, it is not widespread, being found primarily in Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties. The vermiculated catfish is occasionally found in central Florida, including Six-Mile Creek in Hillsborough County and the St. John's River. Native range for all loricariids is South America.

Habitat:
Sailfin catfish live in nearly any type of slow moving streams, canals, ponds, and lakes; and are normally most abundant along the shore and in shallower waters. They are known to create spawning burrows along shorelines, sometimes undermining canal banks and lake shorelines. Little is known about the vermiculated sailfin's specific habitat preferences; poor success of suckermouth catfish to date indicates it is less well adapted to Florida waters than are the sailfins.

Behavior:
Spawning Habitats: Male and females start maturing when 13 and 11 inches long; female lays about 2,000 eggs in shoreline burrows, holes, or crevices generally between April and September; nests guarded until eggs hatch; adhesive eggs clump together in masses; egg masses are sometimes collected from the wild, aerated, hatched, and grown on tropical fish farms for sale in the pet industry.

Feeding Habits: 100% of stomachs that were examined contained detritus, and most also contained algae, sand, small freshwater bivalves, water fleas, and decaying matter; most active around dusk when root around bottom looking for worms and insect larvae; sucker-like mouth used to scrape algae from stones and other surfaces with their spoon shaped teeth.



Age and Growth:
Grow to more than 20 inches and weights of 3.0 pounds.



Sporting Quality:
None; no bag or size limits



Edibility
Fair to good, but difficult to clean and best to cook 'in the shell,' after which the white flaky meat can be slid out.

 

Flathead Catfish:


Appearance:
A flat head, tiny eyes, squarish tail and protruding lower jaw distinguish flathead from other. They are yellow-brown, usually mottled above, with a creamy colored belly.

Habitat:
Flathead are found in the Apalachicola and Escambia rivers, where they recently arrived from Georgia and Alabama. Flatheads prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately-turbid rivers.

Behavior:
Spawning occurs in late spring. One or both parents excavate the nest that is usually made in a natural cavity or near a large submerged object. Females lay a golden-yellow mass of up to 100,000 eggs. The nest is guarded and the eggs are agitated by the male to keep them clean and aerated. They feed on other fish, especially catfish and sunfish.

State Record:
55.05 pounds, and 45.25 inches total length (girth 32.5"). Caught by James E. Auston, Jr., October 9, 2011 in the Yellow River.

Fishing Tips and Facts:
Their solitary lifestyle makes them more difficult to catch than other catfish. They bite best at night while in shallow water looking for food. To catch flatheads, anglers typically fish on the bottom using heavy tackle with live or freshly cut fish.

 

Yellow Belly Catfish

 

Top places in Florida for catching Catfish



The following areas were selected by Florida's freshwater fisheries biologists as being the most likely to be highly productive for catfish during 2016. See the Top Spots Map (1.3 MB) for all 2016 sportfish locations.

• Apalachicola River
• Choctawhatchee River
• Yellow River
• Escambia River
• St. Johns River and Dunn's Creek
• Ochlockonee River
• Haines Creek
• Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
• Mosaic Fish Management Area
• Joe Budd Pond
• Medard Reservoir

Apalachicola River
Species: Channel, flathead, and blue catfish.

Big channel catfish can be found in the Apalachicola River from April into early July near the dam. Flathead fishing picks up in April and runs into the summer months. Smaller catfish can be caught year-round, but spring and summer are best. Fish the Jim Woodruff Dam south to Owl Creek, trying deep holes with structure, old creek channels, and around mouths of tributaries. Best baits include live bream on the bottom for big flatheads, while stink baits or night crawlers on the bottom should do the trick for channels. Try some type of fresh cut bait, such as mullet, for blue cats.

Choctawhatchee River


A hefty Choctawhatchee River blue cat.

Species: Channel, flathead, and blue catfish.

Big channel catfish are usually caught in the Choctawhatchee River in late May through early July, and October into November if the water stays warm. Small cats are caught year-round, but expect the bite to slow when it is cold. Work the Alabama line south to West Bay, and around the mouth of Holmes Creek and other tributaries. Most of the larger catfish are found in the northern portion of the river, but some will be found throughout the river within deep bends and holes that contain large woody debris. Fish live bream on the bottom for flatheads up to 30 pounds, and try stink baits or night crawlers on the bottom for channels.

Special note: The state record blue catfish was caught on the Choctawhatchee River on May 30, 2015. It was caught by William Stewart III, and weighed 69.50 pounds..


Yellow River
Species: Flathead catfish.

The biggest Yellow River flatheads are usually caught April through October, from the Alabama line to the I-10 Bridge. Anglers should try live bream on the bottom for these big flatheads, targeting any deep holes containing structure.

Special note: On October 9, 2011 the state record flathead catfish was caught on the Yellow River. It was caught by Milton, FL resident Eric Auston Jr. Auston was night fishing on the river and used a small bluegill as bait while fishing with conventional tackle. The fish weighed an impressive 55.05 pounds.

Escambia River
Species: Blue, channel, and flathead catfish.

Larger channel catfish and big flatheads in the Escambia River are usually caught from April through October. Fishing for smaller catfish is good year-round except during cold weather. The best fishing is typically from the Alabama line to the I-10 Bridge. Live bream on the bottom is the bait of choice for big flatheads, while stink baits or night crawlers should do the trick for channels.

St. Johns River and Dunn's Creek
Species: Bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish.

Big channel catfish are usually reported in the Upper and Lower St. Johns River and Dunn's Creek system from early May through June. Smaller catfish can be caught year-round, but the best fishing occurs in spring and fall. Places to target include Dunn's Creek to Lake Crescent, Murphy Creek, and the river from Palatka to Little Lake George. Try the hole on the North side of Buffalo Bluff Bridge, but bring plenty of hooks and weights due to the many snags.

Ochlockonee River
Species: Bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish.

The best Ochlockonee River catfishing occurs in April and May for flathead catfish, and mid-May into early summer for channel catfish. Both channels and flatheads bite until the water turns cold in October or November. Small catfish bite year-round but slow down in cold months. Fish throughout the entire river, especially in the Talquin tail race area for channels and flatheads. Try deep river bends holding structure further downstream for flatheads as well.

Haines Creek
Species: Bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish.

Big channel catfish show up mid-April through June, and then October and November as water temperatures begin to drop. Small cats can easily be found year-round, especially where there is water flow. The area below the lock and dam can be especially good at times.

Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
Species: Bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish.

Big channel catfish in the upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes experience peak spawning periods between April and June and can be targeted then. Bullheads can be caught year-round. Water flow will concentrate catfish and make them easier to locate and catch. Specific sites include C-31 (East Lake Canal), C-35 (Southport Canal), C-36 (canal between Lake Cypress and Lake Hatchineha), C-37 (canal between Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee), below the Kissimmee River structure (S-65), around mouth of and in Shingle Creek, and in the lake proper around fish attractors. Catfish are often found near drop-offs or around bottom structure in the canals.

Mosaic Fish Management Area
Species: Channel catfish and bullheads.

Catfishing on this 1,000-acre Fish Management Area (FMA) near the town of Ft. Meade is usually best during the warmer months but fish can be caught year-round. Mosaic FMA lakes are frequently stocked with channel catfish to improve fishing opportunities; however, bullheads reproduce very well in several lakes and anglers have reported catching as many as 100 in a single trip. A harvest limit of 6 channel catfish per day is strictly enforced on all lakes. The dozen lakes on the area range from ten to 200 acres in size and have very irregular bottom contours since they were created by phosphate mining many years ago. Fish can be caught from the bank or by boat. Try Haul Road, SP12 North, SP12 South, and LP2 West lakes for some of the better action. Most anglers have good success fishing chicken liver or commercial stink baits on the bottom, but night crawlers or other worms also work well. The Mosaic FMA is only open four days a week (Friday-Monday) on a first-come, first-serve basis but there will always be a spot to fish somewhere. For more information, please call 863-648-3200.

Joe Budd Pond (Gadsden County)
Species: Channel catfish.

Channel cats can be found throughout the lake, particularly around the fishing fingers and along the dam. Fishing worms or night crawlers on the bottom will almost always produce, and catches typically range from 9 to 14 inches in length. Fish can be caught from shore or from boat, but gasoline motors are not permitted. A harvest limit of 6 channel catfish per person, per day is strictly enforced. This 20-acre impoundment is only open to the public on weekends beginning the first Saturday in July through the Labor Day weekend, including the Labor Day holiday.

Medard Reservoir (Hillsborough County)
Species: Channel catfish.

The many ledges and bars (flats) within the main body of the reservoir provide areas for boat anglers to focus efforts for channel catfish. Medard Reservoir was drawn down during the fall of 2009 by the Southwest Florida Water Management District to make necessary repairs on the dam and structure. Medard Reservoir was stocked with 200,000 channel catfish in 2011 following the drawdown to provide an excellent opportunity for anglers to catch channel catfish. Based on recent fish community sampling by FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, the channel catfish stocked are now large enough to be caught and filleted by anglers. Chicken liver, commercial stink bait, or night crawlers should work well.

Days and hours of operation, park entrance and other user fees shall be designated by Hillsborough County and posted at the park main entrance.

 

Oh Yes they can and will