What kind of catfish is this?

[waterinthefuel]

I caught this under our dock. It's like nothing I've ever seen before. The lake was Toledo Bend.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

Wow that's a cool tiny catfish...look like a black spotted catfish which is from south america.

Could be an invasive species, maybe show a photo to your state's DNR or whatever for ID.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

If I caught that around here I'd throw it back...
If anyone asked I'd tell them it was just a Bullhead....and I think a Brown Bullhead.


Actually they are a catfish family member found all over NA, and if the flesh is not too soft, are not bad to eat.

 

[rbh]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

That's not a fish, it is a minnow.
Have a heart throw it back.

 

[bassman284]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

Looks like a flathead.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

According to this, it looks like it's may be a brown bullhead as Tim said.

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/images/catfish.jpg

Oh yea, I didn't keep him. I was perch jerkin' when I caught him. I put him back right after I took the photos. He was quite happy to be free again.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

Look up Black Bullheads as well....we get them up here , not sure if they go as far south as you.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

I'm betting on Flathead. Only mottled cat that I know about. I'm sure they'd be in LA, they are common in every other southern state. They usually like faster, cooler water than alot of cats. And shrimp is the best bait I've found. I know it sounds crazy feeding a $2 cat a $5 shrimp but we have $20,000 boats to get to them, they are fun to catch.

 

[RicMic]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

Definately NOT a bullhead, the shape of the head and tail are wrong. I'd say its a flathead, I'd check and make sure they are native there. Returning fish to the water is a good thing, IF they belong there. Returning invasive species to the water is really, really bad. We've had morons transplant flatheads into river systems here where they weren't native and they virtually eliminated the native species.

 

[LongLine]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

Definitely a Flathead.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[hoytvectrix]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

That is a young flathead catfish. Bullheads resemble channel cats more. Definately a flathead, best eatin catfish out there

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

That's a baby red-gill manatee...you were smart to set her/him free!

Fines for having one of these can buy you a decent used car here in the Panhandle!

Happy boating!

 

[vhuevos7]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

I know.......Its an ugly fish. Sorry

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

Quite a few of you got it right. Here is the email I received from the biologist manager for the department of wildlife in fisheries at the Toledo Bend research station:



Dear XXXXXX,

The photos are of a young flathead catfish. Juveniles are typically darker than adults. At Toledo Bend, the water clarity allows sunlight to penetrate the water more than most waterbodies. Fish respond to increased light by displaying more brilliant and more distinct colors than would be found in darker habitats. Perhaps you have had the opportunity to fish in muddy water areas before. If you recall, the fish from such waters are pale or ?washed out?. Crappie are known to appear faded out when caught in muddy water.

I appreciate your interest in our fisheries resources and encourage you to contact us if you need any further assistance. We appreciate the public letting us know when they see something strange or unusual.

 

[vhuevos7]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

That was awesome that they replied back to you as to what kind of fish that was.

 

[Mountaineer67]

Re: What kind of catfish is this?

By the way... When he grows up, he could be around a hundred pounds. In the Ohio River, that's primarily what we hunt for.