Ictalurus furcatus

How to identify a Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish are found in slow rivers, holes, lake channels; after-dark shallows in summer. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Slow rivers, holes, lake channels; after-dark shallows in summer

Where to catch Blue Catfish

• James River (VA)
• Mississippi River — all species we list for this fishery
• Santee Cooper (SC) — all species we list for this fishery

Blue Catfish by state

State season calendars that list Blue Catfish — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Arkansas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Iowa — seasons, best months and licence info
• Kentucky — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
• Missouri — seasons, best months and licence info
• South Carolina — seasons, best months and licence info
• Tennessee — seasons, best months and licence info
• Virginia — seasons, best months and licence info
• Wisconsin — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Cut bait · stink bait · live bait · bottom rigs

Detailed identification guides

• Blue vs. Channel Catfish

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Blue Catfish:

• Butter Catfish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Channel Catfish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Flathead Catfish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Giant Mekong Catfish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Iridescent Shark Catfish — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Jau Catfish — identification & profile (Freshwater)