Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
The most widespread catfish species in the United States, channel cats are abundant in large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs from the Great Plains to the eastern seaboard. They grow to trophy sizes, provide excellent table fare, and are one of the most reliable night-fishing targets in American freshwater.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- bottom fishing with cut bait
- fishing stinkbait or liver
- drifting in rivers
- night fishing
Top Baits
- cut shad/sucker
- chicken liver
- nightcrawlers
- stinkbait
- shrimp
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Channel Catfish, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Alabama 1 zone
No size or bag limit statewide for channel catfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdooralabama.com
Arizona 1 zone
Combined 10 catfish daily limit for all catfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: azgfd.com
Arkansas 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily bag limit of 10.
Effective 2025 · Source: agfc.com
California 1 zone
No size limit. Open year-round statewide in warmwater habitats.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.ca.gov
Colorado 1 zone
No minimum size. Popular in eastern plains reservoirs and warm Front Range lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut 1 zone
No closed season for channel catfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Delaware 1 zone
12 inch minimum. 10 per day.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov
Florida 1 zone
No size or bag limit for channel catfish in Florida freshwater.
Effective 2025 · Source: myfwc.com
Georgia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 50 in aggregate for channel, blue, and flathead catfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: georgiawildlife.com
Hawaii 1 zone
No size or bag limit. Stocked in Wahiawa Reservoir and other waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: dlnr.hawaii.gov
Idaho 1 zone
No minimum size. Found in Snake River and warm southern Idaho waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: idfg.idaho.gov
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Found throughout Illinois in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Combined catfish daily bag of 6.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Found throughout Indiana in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Very popular species.
Effective 2025 · Source: in.gov
Iowa 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily bag limit of 8.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Kansas 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily bag limit of 10.
Effective 2025 · Source: ksoutdoors.com
Kentucky 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 15 in aggregate for channel and blue catfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov
Louisiana 1 zone
No minimum size. Very liberal daily bag limit of 100.
Effective 2025 · Source: wlf.louisiana.gov
Maryland 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size. Common in tidal and non-tidal waters throughout Maryland.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
No closed season for catfish. Found in the Connecticut River and stocked ponds.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Michigan 1 zone
No minimum size on most waters. Daily limit 10.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
Open year-round on most waters. No minimum size. Found statewide in rivers and lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us
Mississippi 1 zone
Combined 50 per day for all catfish species. No minimum size.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdwfp.com
Missouri 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily bag limit of 10.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov
Montana 1 zone
No minimum size. Found in eastern Montana rivers and reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: fwp.mt.gov
Nebraska 1 zone
Combined 10 daily limit for all catfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
Nevada 1 zone
No minimum size, 15 fish daily limit. Popular in reservoirs and the Colorado River system.
Effective 2025 · Source: ndow.org
New Jersey 1 zone
No closed season for channel catfish in New Jersey.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New Mexico 1 zone
Combined 15 daily limit for all catfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.state.nm.us
New York 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for channel catfish statewide.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Carolina 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 10 in aggregate for all catfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org
North Dakota 1 zone
10 per day, 20 in possession. No minimum size.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Found throughout Ohio in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov
Oklahoma 1 zone
No minimum size, combined catfish daily limit of 15 for channel, blue, and flathead catfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com
Oregon 1 zone
No size limit. Found in warmwater rivers and reservoirs throughout the state.
Effective 2025 · Source: myodfw.com
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Combined catfish daily bag of 5. Found throughout Pennsylvania in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
Rhode Island 1 zone
No minimum size, 8 fish daily limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: dem.ri.gov
South Carolina 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 10 in aggregate for channel and blue catfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.sc.gov
South Dakota 1 zone
No minimum size, 8 fish daily limit. Channel catfish abundant in rivers and reservoirs statewide.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 15 in aggregate for all catfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
Texas 1 zone
Minimum length 12 inches. Combined daily bag of 25 with blue catfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: tpwd.texas.gov
Utah 1 zone
No minimum size. Found in warm reservoirs and rivers throughout the state.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Vermont 1 zone
Found in Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River. No closed season.
Effective 2025 · Source: vtfishandwildlife.com
Virginia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 20 in aggregate for all catfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
Washington 1 zone
No minimum size. Found in warmwater rivers and reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: wdfw.wa.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 8 in aggregate for all catfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
Open year-round on most waters. No minimum size statewide. Some waters may have special regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
Wyoming 1 zone
No minimum size. Found in eastern Wyoming reservoirs and rivers.
Effective 2025 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | 53.5 lb | — | Randall Gilgert | 2008 | San Joaquin River |
| IL | 45.25 lb | — | — | — | — |
| GA | 44.75 lb | — | Bobby M. Smithwick | 1972 | Altamaha River |
| WI | 44.66 lb | — | Larry Volenek | 1962 | Wisconsin River |
| FL | 44.5 lb | — | Joe Purvis | 1985 | Lake Bluff |
| TN | 41 lb | — | Clint Walters Jr. | 1982 | Fall Creek Falls Lake |
| NC | 40.5 lb | — | — | — | — |
| MI | 40 lb | 41.5 in | — | 1964 | Houghton Lake |
| MN | 38 lb | — | — | — | Mississippi River |
| WA | 37.7 lb | — | Cole Abshere | 2019 | Lake Terrell |
| OH | 37.65 lb | — | Gus J. Gronowski | 1992 | LaDue Reservoir |
| NY | 37.56 lb | — | Dylan Kampnich | 2025 | Black River Bay |
| IN | 37.5 lb | — | Randy E. Jones | 1980 | Lake, Vanderburgh Co. |
| TX | 36.5 lb | — | Mrs. Joe Cockrell | 1965 | Pedernales River |
| PA | 35.19 lb | — | Austin E. Roth III | 1991 | Lehigh Canal |
| MO | 34.63 lb | — | Gerald R. Siebenmorgen | 1976 | Lake Jacomo |
| VA | 31.5 lb | — | Sue Stanley | 1992 | Rappahannock River |
Caught a Channel Catfish?
Log your catch and see how it stacks up against state records.
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