Reference Guide > Montana Fish Field Guide > Bullheads/Catfishes > Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish - Ictalurus punctatus
Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5
Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
General Description
The largest and most important catfish to sport fishermen in Montana is the native channel catfish of the Yellowstone and Missouri River drainages. These fish prefer warm, muddy rivers and lakes where they forage on just about any animal and some plants, living or dead. They are excellent eaters and millions of pounds of channel catfish are raised commercially in southern states for that purpose. Like all catfish, channel cats spawn in the spring or early summer. The female lays her jelly-like mass of eggs in a nesting site in a dark, protected cavity such as a muskrat burrow, under a stump, etc. and the male guards the nest until the eggs hatch. Biologists have captured channel catfish over 30 pounds in Montana but 2 to 4 pound fish are more common and better eating. The deeply-forked tail separates the channel catfish from the bullheads.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Other Montana catfishes do not have a deeply forked tail.
Distribution
Montana Range
Migration
May migrate considerable distances to spawn in tributary streams.
Habitat
Prefers large rivers and lowland lakes. Thrives at water temperatures above 70 degrees. Tolerates turbid water.
Food Habits
Omnivorous feeder. Uses almost any living or dead organisms available.
Ecology
Small tributary streams may be vital for reproduction in the lower Yellowstone system.
Reproductive Characteristics
Sexually mature in 3 years. Spawns May-July after water temperature exceeds 75 degees F. Incubation: 6-10 days. Spawned late May-mid.Aug. in middle Missouri River study with peak in July. Spawns 66 degrees F. Marias River.
Citations & Sources
Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
Sublette, J. E., M. D. Hatch, and M. Sublette. 1990. The fishes of New Mexico. Univ. New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 393 pp.
Citation for data on this website:
Channel Catfish — Ictalurus punctatus. Montana Field Guide. Retrieved on January 31, 2009, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCKA01100.aspx
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