(Rafinesque, 1818); ICTALURIDAE FAMILY
The channel catfish is currently distributed through most of the U.S. and parts of southern Canada and northern Mexico. In the U.S. it is most abundant in the central part of the country east to the Appalachians. Its occurrence is sparser and mostly by introduction along the west coast and east of the Appalachians.
Channel catfish prefer clean bottoms of sand or gravel in larger lakes and rivers. They feed mainly on crayfish, fishes, and insects generally at night in swifter moving currents. At spawning time they will enter and ascend small tributaries and streams.
| Length | Location | Catch Date | Angler | Kayak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29.5 in | Grand River, Coopersville, Michigan, USA | 26-April-2014 | Richard Ofner | Hobie Pro Angler 12 |
| 28.5 in | Swanson Lake, Nebraska, USA | 28-June-2013 | Marty Hughes | Emotion Stealth 10 |
