black-catfish
Species Facts

Science Name: Ictalurus furcatus
Other Names: channel cat, hump-back blue, forktail cat, great blue cat, silver cat
Ideal Temp: 75 to 85
World Record: 111 lbs, Al.
Environment: rivers
Techniques: light tackle, medium tackle
Description

Ictalurus is Greek meaning "fish cat," and furcatus is Latin, meaning "forked," a reference to the species' forked tail fin. Blue catfish have a forked tail, and are sometimes very similar to channel catfish. However, only the Rio Grande population has dark spots on the back and sides. The number of rays in the anal fin is typically 30-35, and coloration is usually slate blue on the back, shading to white on the belly.

Blue catfish are primarily large-river fish, occurring in main channels, tributaries, and impoundments of major river systems. They tend to move upstream in the summer in search of cooler temperatures, and downstream in the winter in order to find warmer water. Their spawning behavior appears to be similar to that of channel catfish. However, most blue catfish are not sexually mature until they reach about 24 inches in length. Like channel catfish, the blue catfish pursues a varied diet, but it tends to eat fish earlier in life. Although invertebrates still comprise the major portion of the diet, blue catfish as small as four inches in length have been known to consume fish. Individuals larger than eight inches eat fish and large invertebrates. Blue catfish commonly attain weights of 20 to 40 pounds, and may reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds. It is reported that fish exceeding 350 pounds were landed from the Mississippi River during the late 1800's.

Blue catfish are native to major rivers of the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi river basins.

Tips for Fishing

One of the strongest freshwater gamefish, blue catfish are caught by trotlining, jug fishing and noodling (grabbing by hand), as well as angling. The most effective baits are cut fish, live fish and rotting baits.