Blue Catfish(Ictalurus furcatus)

Quick Facts

  • Size Range: Up to 70 pounds
  • Native Species?: Yes
  • Food Value: Excellent eating under 20 pounds

State Record

  • Louisiana State Record: 114lbs
  • State Record Date: 3/1/2014
  • State Record Holder Lawson Boyte

The blue catfish is one of the largest North American catfish. They have dark bodies and a white chin with whiskers for smelling. Like most catfish they have very smooth skin and prominent spines in their pectoral and dorsal fins.

Blue cats live in the entire Mississippi River drainage basin where they prefer deep pools with structure, such as ledges and fallen timber.

They are often caught on live and dead bait fished on the bottom. Large specimens are often caught in deep pools around dams.

Blue Catfish Rules and Regulations

Size Limit : 12” min total length
Bag and Possession Limit : 100 daily in the aggregate. A fisherman may possess up to 25 under- sized catfish of the three species combined.
Seasons : Finfish
Special Rules : Different regulations apply to Louisiana/Texas waters.
General Info:
Related Habitats:
Other Fin Fish Species: Mahogany Snapper Spotted Bass Warmouth Longear Sunfish Flathead Catfish Bonnethead Shark Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Banded Rudderfish
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Related Fishing Methods

Bottom fishing is normally about fishing bottom structures in order to target benthic or bottom dwelling fish. There are a wide variety of techniques, but the common element is the targeting of species who dwell around or hide in natural and man-made structures. Fish like grouper, snapper, amberjack and catfish would be considered bottom fish. It is very popular amongst anglers and success is often determined by the fishermen's ability to crank a fish away from the structure before the fish can duck into it and cut the line. Anchoring or drifting the boat over the structure is key to having success. There are many versions, and many of the bottom fish are prized eating.

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.

Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.