Information on Blue Catfishing

Blue catfish closely resemble channel catfish but are blue or slate-gray in color

Known as chucklehead, blue Fulton, great blue cat, silver cat, blue channel cat and highfin blue cat, the freshwater fish species known as blue catfish is native to America's midwest, particularly the the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio River basins.

Identification

Named for their color, blue catfish are blue or slate-gray and have a forked tail. Closely resembling the channel catfish, blue catfish are distinguished from the channel by 30 to 35 rays on the anal fin. Blue cats can weigh anywhere between five and 20 pounds and can live as long as 14 years.

Finding Blue Cats

Blue catfish can be found in most rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs, but are most often found in larger bodies of water from Mexico's Guatemala northward to South Dakota.

Bait

Blue catfish will eat a variety of foods, but they are fond of herring and gizzard shad, as well as various fish, crayfish, clams and aquatic insects. The website GrandFishingReport.com notes that catfish anglers often use strong-scented bait, as catfish rely heavily on their sense of smell when feeding.

Catching Blue Cats

Blue cats are caught as sport fish for their size and strength in the water. Spawning season runs from June to July, when water temperatures hit the 70 to 75 Fahrenheit degree mark. Blue catfish are bottom feeders and they look for food most often at night.

Equipment

Heavy tackle line, stout rods and strong reels should be used when fishing for blue catfish, as they are strong, determined fighters.

References

• Go Fishn: Blue Catfish
• Grand Fishing Report: Blue Catfish

Resources

• Catfishn'