Channel Catfish vs Flathead Catfish
The check that settles it
Flathead has a squared-off tail, a flattened head and a protruding lower jaw.
Why this matters beyond curiosity
- Look-alike species often carry different limits. Walleye and sauger, black and white crappie, pike and muskie, blue and channel catfish — each pair can have different sizes, seasons and daily limits in the same water.
- Check it before the fish goes in the livewell. Most of the tests on this site take seconds and are far easier on a fish you are still holding.
- If you cannot tell, release it. That is the answer that is never wrong, and it is the one a warden will not argue with.
- Regulations are set by your state or province and change annually. This site identifies fish; it does not tell you the rules. Check the current regulations for the water you are on.
Channel Catfish
CatfishIctalurus punctatus
- Markings
- spots
- Body
- flat headed, torpedo
- Typical size
- 1–15 lb
- Regulations
- Catfish limits vary widely and several states protect trophy-sized fish with maximum size limits. Blue and channel catfish are often managed separately.
Flathead Catfish
CatfishPylodictis olivaris
- Markings
- mottled
- Body
- flat headed
- Typical size
- 3–40 lb
- Regulations
- Introduced and invasive in several eastern river systems, where states may encourage or require removal. Native-range regulations are quite different.
Confirming a channel catfish
- Deeply forked tail. Bullheads and flatheads have square or rounded tails.
- Scattered dark spots, though these fade on large adults.
- Rounded anal fin with 24 to 29 rays, versus the blue cat's straight-edged fin.
- Upper jaw clearly projects beyond the lower.
Confirming a flathead catfish
- Lower jaw projects beyond the upper. Every other North American catfish is the reverse.
- Tail squared off or only slightly notched, never deeply forked.
- Broad, flattened head.
- Mottled yellow-brown colouring.