Freshwater

Blue catfish

Bagre azul

Ictalurus furcatus

Guide by Captain Big Joe (Joe Arias)

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 5.4 ft (165 cm).

Depth

10–60 ft.

Best time

Evening and night are best; also after rain raises the river.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Bluish-gray catfish with a deeply forked tail and a straight-edged anal fin; no spots.
Typical size: Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 5.4 ft (165 cm).
Maximum size: Up to about 5.4 ft (165 cm) long and 150 lb (68 kg). Source: FishBase
Diet: It eats small water invertebrates, clams and fishes.
Behavior: It lives in deep water of reservoirs and big rivers over mud, sand and gravel, liking clear, strong current. It rests on the bottom by day and moves into faster water at night to feed.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX) and Mexico Gulf Coast.
Habitat: Large rivers and reservoirs — Panhandle rivers in Florida, and big rivers across the Gulf states.
Depth: 10–60 ft.
Fishing depth: Bottom of holes and channels, 5–40 ft.
Best season: All year; spring and early summer are strongest.
Best time: Evening and night are best; also after rain raises the river.
Best tides: In rivers, current seams and eddies; rising water triggers feeding.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, overcast and stable weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Large rivers and reservoirs — Panhandle rivers in Florida, and big rivers across the Gulf states.
Rig up: Medium-heavy rod with a baitcasting or spinning reel. 25–50 lb mono, 18–24 in.
Pick your bait: Fresh cut shad, skipjack herring or other oily fish. Lures: —
Fish it: Anchor above deep holes and current breaks and soak fresh cut bait on the bottom.
Time it: Evening and night are best; also after rain raises the river. In rivers, current seams and eddies; rising water triggers feeding.

Fishing techniques: Anchor above deep holes and current breaks and soak fresh cut bait on the bottom.
BigJoe's tip: Fresher bait = more bites. Cut it right before it goes in the water.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Stiff, sharp spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins can cause painful wounds.
Regulations: Check FWC/state rules; many states limit large fish. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits