CATFISH FAMILY
FROM KEY 1
CHANNEL
CATFISH
Ictalurus punctatus
IDENTIFICATION
Anal fi n has 24–29 rays
with rounded outer margin.
Spots not present on larger fi sh. Deeply forked tail.
INFORMATION
Average size:
•
Average adult size is highly variable, but can approach 3 ft in length. Commonly caught at 12–20 inches.
A master angler is 30 inches or 12 lbs. The Nebraska state record is 41 lbs. 8 oz.
Habitat:
•
Abundant in streams, rivers, reservoirs and ponds.
•
Can tolerate turbidity (murky water).
•
Occupies a variety of habitats, but can be located underneath structure (fallen trees, cavities in rock piles).
•
Relies on taste rather than sight for feeding, so is tolerant of turbid water.
Range:
•
Statewide, very common.
FROM KEY 1
BLUE CATFISH
Ictalurus furcathus
IDENTIFICATION
Anal fi n has more than
30 rays with outer margin
straight. Blue to bluish gray
with lighter colored belly. Forked tail.
INFORMATION
Average size:
•
Average adult size is highly variable, but can approach 3.5 ft in length. Commonly caught at 12–20 inches.
A master angler is 40 inches or 30 lbs. The Nebraska state record is 100 lbs. 8 oz.
Habitat:
•
Most common in big rivers, but has been stocked statewide in reservoirs
•
Can tolerate turbidity (murky water).
•
Most commonly found in open water but will congregate around structures.
•
Primarily a piscavore (eats live fi sh), but occasionally caught on cut fi sh bait.
Range:
•
Big rivers and reservoirs of the central to eastern part of the state.
8
FISH KEY
CATFISH FAMILY
