Illustration by Duane Raver/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
August 25, 1804, mouth of Vermillion River, Clay County, South Dakota.
Usually slate blue across the back, fading to white on the belly. Typically 30-35 spines in the anal fin.
Rivers and large creeks in slow to moderate current over sand, gravel, or rocks; ponds, lakes, reservoirs.
Widely distributed through Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi River basins.
This is the largest of the catfish and can reach 150 lbs (70 kg). It is frequently confused with the channel cat—the difference is in the number of spines in its rear fin.
