The channel catfish is the principal species in freshwater aquaculture in the Southeast. State and federal fishery agencies have stocked channel catfish extensively through South Carolina with special emphasis on selected farm ponds.
Range: Statewide
Commonly Mistaken Species: One species of fish that is commonly mistaken for this species is the blue catfish . Both the blue and channel catfish have deeply forked tails and similarly shaped bodies, but differ in that channels have black spots and a shorter, rounder anal fin.
Habitat & Range
The channel catfish inhabits a variety of habitat types including small to large creeks, rivers, reservoirs and ponds over a range of substrates.
Life History
Spawning: - Spawning occurs from May to July when the water temperature is approximately 70-80° F.
- A gelatinous mass of eggs is deposited in a nest constructed by the male below undercut stream banks, logs or other secluded areas.
- The nest is guarded by the male for some time after the eggs hatch.
Diet: - Fish, crayfish, mollusks, immature mayflies and caddisflies, aquatic vegetation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size
16 inches 1-1 ½ pounds
Lifespan
Approximately 24 years
State Record
: 58 pounds (1964) (Current World Record)
