How to recognise it
- No dark spots on the body.
- The outer edge of the anal fin is straight, with 30 to 36 rays. A channel catfish's is rounded.
Habitat: where it lives
- Mainly large rivers: main channels, tributaries and the reservoirs built on major river systems. In Texas, absent from the northwest, including the Panhandle.
Habits: behavior, spawning and growth
- Moves upstream in summer to find cooler water and downstream in winter for warmer water.
- Starts eating fish at about 4 in long. Typically 20–40 lb; Texas's largest freshwater sport fish. The Texas rod-and-reel record is 121.5 lb.
- Early spring, from March through May, is often best for big blues, and some of the largest are caught in midwinter.
Where and when
- Main river channels, tributaries and big reservoirs. Moves upstream in summer for cooler water and downstream in winter for warmer water.
- Winter is prime time in Texas. On sunny days, try shallow flats the sun has warmed. Or find schools of shad on a fish finder and fish at their depth.
- In summer: drop-offs, woody cover and areas near the main channel.
Bait and lures
Live and natural bait
- Fresh cut shad (fresh beats frozen)
- Cut skipjack herring
- Live shad
Why these baits work
- Shad is its preferred food, so fresh cut shad (or skipjack herring) on a circle hook is the standard bait.
Rod and reel setups
Grouped by lure fishing (artificial baits) and bait fishing (live or natural bait).
Tips
- Blues of 20–50 lb are common in some waters, so heavy gear isn't overkill.
On the table: cleaning and cooking
- An excellent food fish (TPWD). Skin it like other catfish.
Step-by-step cleaning, keeping fish fresh and eating safely are in the handbook.
Size and bag limits vary by state, species and lake. Current limits: Texas (TPWD); elsewhere, your state's fish and wildlife agency. Check before you keep a fish.
