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Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish are Missouri's state fish and one of the most popular sport fish species in the state.

These are omnivorous fish with an exceptional sense of taste and smell, with taste buds distributed over their entire body surface and highly concentrated on their barbels.

Scientific Name: Ictalurus punctatus

Also known as fiddlers (young catfish)

Physical Characteristics:
  • These scaleless, cylindrical-bodied fish have deeply forked tails, four pairs of barbels (whiskers), and hard spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins.
  • Their coloration varies with water clarity - appearing dark blue or black in clear water, and light yellow or gray in muddy water.
  • Young channel catfish are typically spotted.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Channel catfish are native to Missouri and are widely distributed throughout the state in rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds.

Key Locations

  • They're particularly abundant in the Missouri River system, Mississippi River, Osage River system (including Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir), Grand River, and numerous smaller streams like the Salt, Big, Black, Blackwater, Lamine, South Grand, and Nodaway rivers.
  • The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks channel catfish in over 40 waters across the state, including many community fisheries.

Specific Spots

  • Prime locations include riprap shorelines, fallen trees, log complexes, standing timber, root systems, and rocky cover.
  • In rivers, focus on current breaks, deeper pools.

Channel Catfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective baits include night crawlers, chicken liver, grasshoppers, crayfish, small fish, cut shad, commercial stink baits, punch baits, and prepared dough baits. River worms are the top choice for channel cats. For lures, try spinners (Mepps Aglia #2-#5), small crankbaits, hair jigs, tube baits.

What flies work for Channel Catfish in Missouri?

Fly patterns like woolly buggers, streamers, nymphs, and foam poppers for surface action.

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

Channel catfish fishing is productive year-round in Missouri, with the season running from January 1 to December 31. The best fishing occurs during warmer months from late March through early fall, with summer being particularly excellent for numbers of fish.

How do you catch Channel Catfish in Missouri?

Target them in water 1-2 meters deep around complex woody structures, avoiding open water. Fish during early morning, late evening, and after dark for best results, though daytime fishing can be productive. Channel catfish prefer deeper water during the day and move to shallow areas to feed at dusk and overnight.

What do Channel Catfish eat?

Young catfish (fiddlers) feed primarily on aquatic insects, snails, crawfish, green algae, aquatic plants, seeds, and small fish. Adult channel catfish consume a varied diet including snails, clams, crustaceans, crayfish, snakes, frogs, small fish, insects, aquatic plants, algae, seeds, grains, nuts, and occasionally...

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