CautionEdible
Channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Forked tail, spots on young fish, four pairs of barbels. Main eating cat of the creek and river.
- Marks
- Forked tail; spots on young; barbels
- Size
- 2–10 lb typical
- Habitat
- Laughery Creek holes, Ohio River, farm ponds.
- Season
- Best eating late spring–fall. Night lines work.
- Frequency
- common
A scaleless catfish. Deeply forked tail. Scattered dark spots on smaller fish. Spine in the dorsal and pectoral fins can cut you.
Uses
Fried, smoked. Skin, don’t scale. Watch the spines. In extreme heat, check Ohio River fish advisories if they still exist.