Flathead Catfish

The flathead catfish is a popular food fish has an excellent flavor.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A FLATHEAD CATFISH

The flathead catfish is very distinctive in appearance and not easily confused with any other species. It is one of the largest catfish in its family, second in size only to the blue catfish. It has a square, rather than forked, tail. Its body is long, and its head is wide and is a distinctly flat-looking, oval shape. The lower jaw further accentuates it by protruding beyond the upper jaw. In general coloration, the flathead catfish is mottled with varying shades of brown and yellow.

 

WHERE TO CATCH FLATHEAD CATFISH

The flathead catfish is native to the large rivers of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio basins from southern North Dakota, south into northern Mexico, and east as far as Lake Erie’s southeast coast and the western most tip of the Florida panhandle. It occurs broadly over this entire area and has now been widely introduced outside its native range. It frequents deep sluggish pools with hard bottoms in large rivers. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

FRESHWATER LAKES AND PONDS             RIPARIAN ZONES

ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS                 DROP-OFFS

CURRENT EDGES                                        GRADUAL SHORES

RIVERS AND STREAMS                                DAMS AND FALLS

UNDERCUTS

 

 

 

HOW TO CATCH FLATHEAD CATFISH

It seems to have a distinct preference for fish, but it is omnivorous. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

DRIFT FISHING      SPIN CASTING        STILL FISHING

 

FLATHEAD CATFISH LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

BREAD OR DOUGH BALLS     JIGS       CUT BAIT        MINNOWS