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Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish are non-native fish that have become well-established throughout Maryland's tidal and non-tidal waters.

Scientific Name: Ictalurus punctatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These smooth-skinned fish typically grow to about two feet in length but can reach four feet and weigh over 50 pounds.
  • They have bluish or greenish-gray bodies with silvery white bellies, deeply forked tails, and four pairs of whisker-like barbels around their mouths.
  • Small adults and juveniles display black or dusky spots on their sides.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • In Maryland, channel catfish inhabit the freshwater portions of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Key Locations

  • Prime locations include Liberty Reservoir near Baltimore, the Potomac River system, Choptank River near Denton, Patuxent River around Benedict Bridge, and the Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam.
  • They're found in rivers like the Potomac, Patuxent, Choptank, and Susquehanna, as well as reservoirs like Liberty, Piney Run, and Deep Creek Lake.

Specific Spots

  • Preferring deep pools around logs, rocks, and other structure.
  • Target channel edges, deep holes, areas with structure like submerged logs or rocks, and the tailwaters below dams.

Channel Catfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Channel Catfish in Maryland?

Top baits include fresh cut bait (menhaden, gizzard shad, white perch, bluegill), chicken liver, nightcrawlers, peeler crab, shrimp, squid, hot dogs, and processed catfish baits. Prepared "punch baits" with strong scents work exceptionally well for numbers of fish.

What flies work for Channel Catfish in Maryland?

Use heavily weighted woolly buggers (sizes 4-6), balanced leeches on jig hooks, crawfish patterns, and streamers in black, olive, chartreuse, brown, or white.

When is the best time to fish for Channel Catfish in Maryland?

Channel catfish fishing in Maryland is productive year-round except during winter when water temperatures drop below 60°F. The best fishing occurs from spring through fall, with peak activity during spawning season (late May through July).

How do you catch Channel Catfish in Maryland?

Bottom rigs work best. Fish these patterns on or near bottom with strip-and-pause retrieves. Chumming with ground menhaden can attract catfish, especially from boats.

What do Channel Catfish eat?

Channel catfish are opportunistic omnivores with an incredibly diverse diet including insects, mollusks, crustaceans, snails, fish, small birds, frogs, crawfish, clams, worms, pond weeds, seeds, and even snakes.

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