White catfish in Florida

Meet the species

White catfish
Image credit: © duane raver, jr.

Scientific name

Ameirus catus

Overview

Found statewide in rivers and streams and in slightly brackish coastal waters.

Typical size

Big catch minimum: 22 inches or 5 lbs

At a glance

Regions
Statewide freshwater
Water
Freshwater
Bait
Live bait, especially minnows and worms, accounts for most caught whites & but they also will take cut and prepared baits.

Florida fishing record

Weight
18 lb 14 oz
Location
Withlacoochee river, marion county
Date
Sep 21, 1991
Angler
Jim miller
Type
Florida state record

Open record source

Record catch notes

18.88 lb; by jim miller; on 9/21/1991; at withlacoochee river, marion county

When to fish

Good months

January–december

Season notes

Intentional year round: Florida freshwater sport fish generally available year-round; peak months only when FWC When-to-Fish states them.

More season details

Where to fish

Florida regions

Statewide freshwater

Water

Freshwater

Habitat

Found statewide in rivers and streams and in slightly brackish coastal waters.

More locations and access

How to catch

Among the catfishes found in Florida, the white is second only to the channel catfish in popularity. Live bait, especially minnows and worms, accounts for most caught whites, but they also will take cut and prepared baits. Image credit: © duane raver & jr.

Bait

Live bait, especially minnows and worms, accounts for most caught whites & but they also will take cut and prepared baits.

Videos

Sources

Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.