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characteristics: Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, forked tail, barbels (whiskerlike sensory organ) around the mouth, slender body with speckled sides.
The channel catfish and brown bullhead are members of the Ictaluridae, or catfish family. These fish are readily distinguished by their scaleless bodies, broad flat heads, sharp heavy pectoral and dorsal spines, and long whisker-like barbels about the mouth. Members of the catfish family are all more or less omnivorous, feeding on all sorts of plant and animal matter. They are also mostly nocturnal, and use their barbels to locate food in the dark recesses of deep water.
This species of fish appears to have lived in North America for at least 3000 yearsIn the late spring or early summer, the male channel cat builds a nest in underwater holes, logs or among submerged rocks. The eggs hatch in 5-10 days following spawning, and the youngsters grow quite rapidly. Young catfish eat mostly insect, crayfish, other fish and even tree seeds. In turn, small catfish are probably eaten by many other fish.
Sexual maturity comes at five to eight years of age, but these fish live a great deal longer, some as long as 25 years. In the Great Lakes, this advanced age can be accompanied by a body size of 30 pounds. At such a large size, adult channel cats probably have no predators except man.
Channel cats prefer cooler, deeper, cleaner water than bullheads, and water with a sand or gravel bottom. During the day, they hide among rocks or logs. Channel cats feed both day and night, although they are best fished from dusk through early night. They take a large part of their food from the bottom, but they also feed at the surface. Their impressive size and high quality flesh make these catfish deservedly popular as a sport fish.
World Record Channel Cat
This record has stood for quite a long time as you can see by the type of picture. This brute tipped the scales at 58lbs.!!
Channel Catfish (Juvenile)
(ictalurus punctatus) The channel catfish is sometimes known as the fiddler, spotted cat, speckled cat, willow cat and chucklehead. Note that the juvenile and young adult channel catfish possess spots or speckles, but these often disappear among the larger breeding stock (see below). The breeding adult is often mistaken for a blue catfish. The channel cat can be found in abundance in the Mississippi River as well as other major rivers and reservoirs throughout North America. Channel cat are also found in southeastern and central Canada, the Great Lakes, and has been successfully introduced in England and Europe. It is a remarkably durable and prolific breed.
The channel catfish has a large following among sportfishing enthusiasts. Note how the mouth is on the underside of its sleek head. The channel cat will eat virtually anything, from insects and larvae to other fish. Channel cat are keen scavengers. But like the flathead, a channel cat will attack a bass lure or spinner bait when the opportunity arrises. However, the best way to catch channel catfish is with dip baits imbedded in soft grooved plastic worms or cut and perforated sections of rubber tubing filled with pasty bait. A sponge rig works, too.
After inspecting the bait with its highly sensitive whiskers, it attackes it to stun it. After the initial attack, the fish may attack a second time, but this is to position the bait for swallowing it properly.
Ideal catfish habitat is along fast water, like that which is found beneath dams. They particularly like to position themselves along eddies where food or food odors wash toward them. They are most active at night, hence they are the favorite game among those who set trotlines or fish traps. Research has shown that channel cat covers large geographic areas and travels long distances in search of food.
Channel Cat Large Breeding Adult (up to 50+ pounds)
Channel Cat Adult (2 to 4 pounds)
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Channel Catfish
