Channel Catfish
Ranked #9,611 in Pets & Animals, #245,003 overall
Channel Catfish Information
The channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is North America's most numerous catfish species.
Channel catfish are easily distinguished from all others, except blue catfish, by their deeply forked tail fin. They are olive-brown to slate-blue on the back and sides, shading to silvery-white on the belly. They typically weight 2-4 lbs, occasionally reaching weights of 40 pounds or more.
Channel catfish are native to North America east of the Rockies from southern Canada, southward into Mexico, and along some parts of the eastern seaboard. The species has been widely introduced in other areas as far west as California.
Channel catfish are easily distinguished from all others, except blue catfish, by their deeply forked tail fin. They are olive-brown to slate-blue on the back and sides, shading to silvery-white on the belly. They typically weight 2-4 lbs, occasionally reaching weights of 40 pounds or more.
Channel catfish are native to North America east of the Rockies from southern Canada, southward into Mexico, and along some parts of the eastern seaboard. The species has been widely introduced in other areas as far west as California.
Table of Contents
How to Catch Channel Catfish
When choosing an outfit for channel cats, the most important thing to know is the type of fishing that will be done.
Most anglers will be fishing in a variety of situations and want an outfit that will cover the widest possible range of fishing.
Line size and capacity, drags, spools, bearing construction, gear ratio, overall weight and other specifications are all factors when choosing a spinning reel for channel cats.
The lightest class of equipment capable of handling channel cats are reels in the 6-12 lb line class. For basic fishing needs in both fresh and saltwater, the next reel class is medium, which is suitable for 10-20 lb line.
A medium outfit will easily handle average size catfish while still allowing anglers a fair chance at landing a trophy fish.
Catfish - Seafood Links
- Freshwater Fishing News
- Freshwater Fishing News offers fishing news, events, species profiles, photos, art and other information.
- Fresh Seafood
- Seafood recipes, news, events and articles on buying, cooking and enjoying fish, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams, oysters, scallops, mussels and other seafood.
- How to Skin and Fillet Catfish
- This tutorial provides pictures and step by step instructions on how to skin and fillet catfish.
- Catfish Bait - Live, Cut, Scented and Stink Baits
- Depending on regional fishing factors and the species being targeted, catfish baits may include live baits, cut baits or scented baits.
- Colorado State Record Channel Catfish Caught
- A 20-year-old Aurora woman became Colorado's newest fishing state-record holder after landing a 43-pound channel catfish
Catfish Information
Catfish Aquaculture
Catfish are the most common aquaculture species in the USA. Catfish are fed a grain based diet that is largely soybean meal. Mississippi has the largest catfish production with over 100,000 acres of catfish ponds in the state. Other important catfish producing states include Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana.
Freshwater Fish
Catfishing and Other Freshwater Fishing DVDs
YouTube - How To Clean A Catfish
This video shows a fast way to clean catfish using an electric fillet knife.
curated content from YouTube
by daybreak
I maintain several print on demand stores including Fish Art and Outdoors USA online store. more »
- 372 featured lenses
- Top lens » Virginia Fishing Piers
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
