Ictalurus punctatus
(Rafinesque, 1818)

Channel Catfish

Above: A Channel Catfish.

Etymology:

Genus- ictalurus= fish cat(Greek).
Species- punctatus= spotted (Latin).

Intro:

Channel Catfish are a common catfish that is a fun catch. This popular catfish is commonly stocked and can grow large.

Habitat:

Like other catfish, Channel Catfish are associated with the bottom of the bodies of water they are found in. They usually inhabit areas of heavy cover. They can be found in rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds.

Spawning:

Spawning occurs when water reaches around 70°F. Channel Cats spawn in natural caves where the fish make their nests.

Diet:

Channel Cats will eat almost anything. They eat insect larvae, small fish, Cray Fish, and scavenge.

Size:

Generally Channel Cats are around a foot. Occasionally you can catch a large one of 8-10 lbs.

Keeping In Aquaria:

Possible but can be difficult. The fish are prone to Ich and other skin parasites. They can usually adapt to prepared foods.

Gaming Qualities:

Large Channel Cats are a lot of fun to catch.

Fishing Tips:

Bottom fishing using worms usually works the best. Chicken livers can also be a great bait to use. They will also hit rat-l-traps, spinners, and plastics. Be careful when taking the fish off the hook. They have extremely sharp fins and are known to bite.