🏞️ Freshwater

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

The channel catfish is the most abundant catfish species in North America and one of the most popular sport fish. Known for their excellent taste, they are widely farmed and highly sought after by anglers. Using sensitive barbels (whiskers) around their mouth to detect food in murky water, channel catfish are highly adaptable bottom-feeders found in rivers, lakes, and ponds across the continent.

📏
Typical Size
12–24 inches (30–61 cm) typical
⚖️
Weight
2–8 lbs (0.9–3.6 kg) typical; record over 58 lbs (26 kg)
⏳
Lifespan
10–20 years in the wild
💧
Water Type
Freshwater

🗺️ Habitat

Large rivers, reservoirs, natural lakes, and ponds throughout central North America. Prefers deep water with moderate current but adapts to many environments.

🔍 How to Identify Channel Catfish

  • 1Smooth, scaleless skin (unlike most fish)
  • 28 barbels (4 pairs of "whiskers") around the mouth
  • 3Scattered black spots on the body (especially in younger fish)
  • 4Forked tail distinguishes channel catfish from flathead catfish
  • 5Blue-gray to olive body with whitish belly
  • 6Sharp, serrated spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins

🍽️ Diet

Omnivore — insects, crayfish, snails, clams, fish, and plant material. Scavenges on the bottom.

💡 Fun Facts About Channel Catfish

  • ★Catfish have taste buds all over their body — up to 175,000 of them!
  • ★The channel catfish is the official state fish of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tennessee
  • ★Channel catfish are extensively farmed — the U.S. produces over 300 million pounds annually
  • ★They can detect chemicals in water at concentrations of just a few parts per billion
  • ★Channel catfish can survive in water with very low oxygen levels that would kill other fish

🛡️ Conservation Status

Least Concern — abundant throughout their range

🔗 Related Species

Identify Channel Catfish Instantly with AI

Not sure if you found a Channel Catfish? Snap a photo with our Fish Identifier app for an instant AI-powered identification.

📱 Download Fish Identifier — Free

Learn more:

How to Identify Fish: A Beginner's GuideMost Common Freshwater Fish in North America← Back to All Fish Species