Catfish Identification
Channel catfish
- Upper jaw extends beyond lower jaw
- Anal fin margin rounded with 24-29 rays
- Tail fin forked
- Dark spots on lighter skin
Flathead catfish
- Lower jaw extends beyond upper jaw
- Upper tail fin lighter than remainder of fin
- Tail fin square
Blue catfish
- Upper jaw extends beyond lower jaw
- Anal fin margin straight with 30-35 rays
- Tail fin forked
Black bullhead
- Barbels
- Spines on front of pectoral fin
- Dark, not mottled
- Tail fin square
More information
Flatheads, channels and blues are Missouri’s three most popular catfish species, and anglers are increasingly interested in catching big fish. Consequently, the Missouri Department of Conservation has begun to manage each species differently—with management tailored to each species’ growth potential. Anglers need to be able to identify all three species. With some practice, and the help of this guide, you should be able to easily identify Missouri’s most popular catfish species.
Flatheads
The flathead is a slender catfish with a broadly flattened head and a projecting lower jaw. The back and sides are pale yellow to light brown, and mottled with dark brown or black (mottling often is poorly developed in adults from muddy water). Adults commonly are 15 to 45 inches long and weigh 1 to 45 pounds. The state pole/line record is 77.5 pounds.
Channel Catfish
The channel catfish is also slender, but with a projecting upper jaw. It is similar to the blue catfish, but has scattered, roundish dark spots on its back and sides (spots often are absent in the smallest young and large adults). The anal fin margin is rounded, and the back and sides are olive-brown or slate-blue. Breeding males are a deep blue-black on the back and sides, with the head swollen and knobby and the lips thickened and fleshy. Adults commonly are 12 to 32 inches long and weigh 1 to 15 pounds. The state pole/line record is 34.6 pounds.
Blue Catfish
These are similar to channel catfish, with one significant difference—the anal fin margin is straight and tapered. They never have dark spots on the back and sides. The back and upper sides are pale bluish-silver, grading to silver-white on the lower sides and belly. The light coloring often leads to confusion with the white catfish—a species neither native nor common to Missouri. Adult blue catfish commonly are 20 to 44 inches long and weigh 3 to 40 pounds. The state pole/line record is 103 pounds.
