How to Identify Catfish

How to identify catfish is fishing 101. You need to know what you catch. This avoids fines and penalties. In some regions, the limits will be lower. Some waterways are different from others nearby.

Some people have confusion about the species also. People misidentify white, channel, and blue often. A few do look the same at first glance. They have differences you need to know. There are characteristics that identify each species.

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The color does not help with identification. The white, blue, and channel are similar in color. The same for bullheads and small flatheads. Plus many of the catfish use different habitats.

Identify Channel Catfish

These are the most common catfish in North America. They inhabit the south, north, and midwest. The fish is in some parts of Canada and Mexico. The regions east of the Rockies likely have channel catfish.

The fish’s color is a gray to silver back and side with a white belly. The sides have spots on juveniles and some adults. Plus, the fish has a deeply forked tail. It has a rounded anal fin with 24-29 fins rays. The tail and rays in the fin are the best identifiers.

White Catfish

This species has a limit in its range. You will find them to be rare or non-existent in many places. People confuse them with all other catfish.

The body shape is close to the shape of bullheads. The color is silvery gray and splotchy, with no spots. The fish has a moderately forked tail also. The anal fin has 19-23 rays and is rounded. As a result, the anal fin is the easiest way to identify.

Identify Blue Catfish

The blue is the largest catfish in North America. Where a mature population exists. The fish is able to be 50 pounds or heavier. The native range is the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi river basin. The fish is in other places due to stocking.

The fish is blueish gray in color with a dorsal hump. The body is heavier than channel or white catfish. The deep fork of the tail is like a channel also. The blue has a straight anal fin with 30-36 rays. Check the anal fins to identify.

These fish survive in brackish waters also. In a few states, it is an invasive species in some waters. They are a problem in the Chesapeake bay area.

Flathead Catfish

The Flathead catfish is another larger catfish. The range runs from the Great Lakes and western Pennsylvania. Out into the west in North Dakota and south to Louisiana. It is in other areas due to stocking.

The head is wide and flat, hence, the name. The lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw. The body color is yellow to dark purple-brown with black or brown mottling. The belly is white to yellow.

The tail is slightly forked. The top of the tail tends to be pale. The anal fin has 14-17 rays ad is round in shape. The head and anal fin will identify the fish.

Identify Bullhead Catfish

Bullheads are small catfish, rarely exceeding 15 inches. There are 7 sub-species of the fish. Researchers have identified the following sub-species. The snail, spotted, white, flat, black, brown, and yellow Bullheads.

Brown, black and yellow bullheads are common. These fish have square tail fins. The bodies are dark in color with yellow or white bellies. The tail fin and small size identify a bullhead catfish.

Bullheads tend to school in large numbers. If you catch one there are many more. These species are social in comparison to other catfish.

The white bullhead and white catfish are different species.

Conclusions

People catching catfish need to identify the species. In many places, they do not have size limits and large harvest limits. Yet some places do limit catfish with catch and release. You need to identify the catfish you catch.

It is best to have the proper tackle also. These tend to be specific rods for the larger catfish. For the smaller species, you can use an all-around combo and do fine.