Channel catfish

US fish and state coverage

Ictalurus punctatus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Typical depth
Typical size
Catch minimum
25 inches or 12
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Channel catfish are found throughout Florida, and spawn in holes and crevices.
Diet
feeders, channels also feed higher up. eat their catch.
Water type
freshwater

When to fish

Good months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Seasonality
Channel catfish are found throughout Florida, and spawn in holes and crevices. Males become especially dark during spawning season and develop a thickened pad on their head.
Bite time of day
Catfish are most active just before dusk and at night.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Channel catfish are found throughout Florida, and spawn in holes and crevices.
Habitat zone
freshwater
Fishing zone
freshwater

How to catch

Techniques
Catfish are a staple for anglers who eat their catch. Use baits with strong odors: chicken liver or gizzards, shrimp, cut mullet and commercial stinkbaits. Catfish are most active just before dusk and at night. Fish on the bottom with a sturdy #2 to #4 hook and a heavy split shot sinker. Be careful of sharp spines when handling these fish. The FWC stocks 200,000-300,000 annually in public waters. Image Credit: © Duane Raver, Jr.

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
Use baits with strong odors: chicken liver or gizzards, shrimp, cut mullet and commercial stinkbaits.

Size

Catch minimum (source context, not current legal advice)
25 inches or 12

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
44.5
Record location
Lake Bluff, Lake County
Record date
5/19/1985
Record angler
Joe Purvis
Record catch text
44.5 lb; by Joe Purvis; on 5/19/1985; at Lake Bluff, Lake County

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 1580 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 1 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 628 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 22 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

For other linked states, local listings are not in the source yet; use the state and species guides above.

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Florida

State guide · State species

common name local
Channel Catfish
scientific name local
Ictalurus punctatus
water type local
freshwater
enrichment status
enriched
geo regions fl
Statewide Freshwater
range precision
statewide
record catch text
44.5 lb; by Joe Purvis; on 5/19/1985; at Lake Bluff, Lake County

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.