Iowa Fish Species – Catfish Family

Catfish are the most widely distributed and abundant sport fish in Iowa waters. Ten species of catfish are found in Iowa. Channel catfish and flatheads make up an important part of the commercial fishery catch in the Mississippi River, and are one of the most popular game fish.

They have no scales and eight fleshy barbels (“whiskers”) surround the mouth. They also have an adipose (fat) fin behind the dorsal (back) fin.

Most catfish are opportunistic bottom feeders that eat all types of living or dead animal and plant material. They depend heavily on their senses of smell and taste to locate food. The characteristic barbels are highly sensitive to touch and contain taste buds as well. As a matter of fact, catfish have taste receptors all over their bodies.

For more information about catfish, visit the DNR website.

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish are common to abundant in most Iowa rivers and have been stocked into nearly all lakes and reservoirs as well as many farm ponds. They have a deeply forked tail fin and dark spots on the body that distinguish them from other species. (The only other catfish with a forked tail is the much less common blue catfish.) They spawn in the late spring and summer in secluded, often enclosed, places along the bank or bottom. The male guards the eggs until they hatch.

Channel catfish eat at all times, but are most aggressive at night. The best times to fish for them are early morning, late evening, or at night. They are caught with nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or prepared baits on a treble hook fished on the bottom. Deep holes or tail waters of dams are favored channel cat habitat.

Bullheads

There are three types of bullheads found in Iowa waters, but black bullheads are, by far, the most common. Bullheads are much smaller than channel catfish (very rarely exceeding one to two pounds) and have rounded or square, rather than forked, tail fins. Bullheads usually are found in shallow, quiet, weedy waters. They grow rapidly and it is not unusual for them to overpopulate an area and become stunted.

They fan out saucer-shaped nests and both parents guard the eggs. The fry are herded about in tight schools by the parents for a while. Like the channel catfish, bullheads can be taken using worms or prepared baits on a treble hook fished on the bottom. They are more active after waters have warmed to at least 60 ^oF.

Flathead Catfish

The flathead, one of the largest catfish, commonly reaches twenty pounds. It has a flattened head and mottled brown color. It is found mainly in the border rivers and large interior rivers in Iowa.

Flatheads spawn in secluded hides during June and July. They build nests and guard the eggs and young. They usually are in deep pools with mud bottoms. Although they are more important as a commercial species, flatheads can be caught with large live baits fished on the bottom. They feed mostly at night.

Classroom Connections

Try these fun ideas to help your students learn more about identifying Iowa fish species.

• Ask small groups of students to brainstorm as many species of fish that can be found in an Iowa aquatic habitat as they can. After 3-4 minutes, ask each group to share one of the species they discussed.  
• Provide pictures of each fish species found in Iowa waters on a card along with the name card for each species.  Have your students (working in small groups) match the name card to the picture card.