The rivers, lakes, and streams in Missouri contain some of the catfish species that are most misunderstood in Missouri’s waterways. While catfish may not always receive the same level of glamour as some of the other freshwater fish species, the fighting strength of a catfish, the flavor of the fish when cook, and the experiences that they can create for anglers during the weekend all contribute to the value of these catfish species. Whether fishing with a night crawler tossed off of a bank or a cut shad bait drifted beneath a wing dam, knowing the species of catfish that are targeted will change the fishing experience for the anglor in Missouri.
Therefore, having the proper information about the catfish species in Missouri is vital to the fishing experience. There are several varieties of catfish that live in Missouri and each of these varieties have their own set of characteristics that separate them from the other catfish species in the area. Knowing the differences between the catfish species in Missouri will allow anglors to fish for these fish in a more smarter manner.
From the giant blue catfish to the small bullhead catfish that kids can catch from farm ponds, there are several catfish species that live in Missouri waters.
Common Types of Catfish Found in Missouri
1. Blue Catfish
The most prominent of the catfish species in Missouri is the blue catfish. Blue catfish can reach weights that are larger than any other type of catfish species that live in Missouri’s waterways.
The records for the weight of a blue catfish is in excess of 100 pounds, and there are even reports of blue catfish that weigh more than 100 pounds. The body of a blue catfish is much more muscular than other types of catfish, and its color is typically bluish gray along its back and sides, fading to a bright white along its belly. Blue catfish have a preference for water environments such as the Missouri River, the Mississippi River, and the lower Osage River channels, where the water contain high levels of dissolved oxygen and strong currents.
The blue catfish primarily hunts based off the use of its sense of scent; it will take in live shad, chicken liver, or other similar scents. Because of the size of these fish species, anglors typically utilize stout fishing gear with heavy sinkers to allow the fish to remain on the lake or river floor while in strong currents. When successfully caught, blue catfish may produce impressive runs that peel the line from the anglors fishing reel, indicating the catch of a fish that may weigh more than their fishing partner.
2. Channel Catfish
Channel catfish are some of the most widespread and common fish species within the catfish family. Channel catfish can be found in almost every body of water in Missouri, from the most remote streams in the Ozarks to the most suburban ponds in the cities. Channel catfish have a more slender body structure and features than bullhead catfish, as they have more deeply-forked tails.
The color of the channel catfish is mottled olive and brown colors, enabling the fish to blend in with rocky or muddy bottoms in their habitats. Channel catfish will eat a variety of different bait, but fresh cut bait and stink bait on a simple sink rig will produce the best success when fishing for channel catfish. Channel catfish are willing to eat during the daylight hours, especially after rain falls into the bodies of water, as the rising water stirs up the fish food in the water.
Channel catfish between 2 and 5 pounds are considered to be perfect table fare, and they have a relatively good fight on medium spinning gear. Anglers of all ages first learn the techniques of fishing for channel catfish prior to turning to the giant river monsters that live in Missouri’s larger rivers.
3. Flathead Catfish
Flathead catfish have an entirely different approach to fishing for them. As opposed to blue and channel catfish, flathead catfish only eat live bait. Flathead catfish live in deep channels, under logs, or beside rock ledges during the daytime hours, but come out and hunt for food after dark. The flathead catfish has a broader head and flattened body structure than other types of catfish, and the protrusions of its lower jaw give it a “bulldog” look, much like its temperament.
The color of a flathead catfish is mottled browns and yellows, with hints of olive in its coloration. The best seasons to find flathead catfish in Missouri are the warmer months in streams such as the Grand River, the Gasconade River, and the upper Mississippi River. Anglers targeting flathead catfish typically use live sunfish or bullhead catfish, which is hooked onto heavy circle hooks to catch the flathead species.
The fight between anglor and flathead catfish is much different; there is a more noticeable tug-of-war between the two compared to the long runs that a blue catfish may make. Flathead catfish are the smartest species of catfish in Missouri and the most challenging to catch regularly.
4. Black Bullheads
Black bullheads, as the name may suggest, are the scrappy underdogs in the catfish family. Black bullheads can reach a maximum weight of only 2 pounds, yet are numerous in their populations and have an aggressive tendency to eat bait. The tail of a black bullhead fish is squared off rather than forked, and the body is chunkier than that of a channel catfish. Black bullheads are dark olive to black in coloration along their bodies, but have pale cream-colored bellies.
These species live in waters that are shallow, weedy, or muddy in their environments. Black bullheads are common in farm ponds, small lakes, and backwaters throughout Missouri. Children love black bullheads because they will bite on worms or dough balls.
While not the ideal type of fish to enjoy as table fare due to their smaller fillets, their flavor is stronger than other types of catfish, but still a favorite when fried up and rolled in cornmeal.
5. Yellow Bullheads
Yellow bullheads are another type of bullhead catfish, but are more common in some areas of the state than others. Yellow bullheads are similar to black bullheads in their features, but their sides are lighter in color, exhibiting a golden brown hue, as are their fins and bellies.
The whiskers of yellow bullheads is longer in relation to the size of the fish body. Yellow bullheads are more common in the Ozarks where the water is relatively clear, as are gravel bars in these areas. Yellow bullheads feed upon aquatic insects, crayfish, and small fish species.
While yellow bullheads never weigh more than 1.5 pounds, they are willing to eat live bait after dark hours when fishing in Missouri summers.
6. Stonecats
Stonecats may surprise anglors who are unaware of this type of native fish species to Missouri waters. The stonecat is technically a type of madtom catfish species.
These small native fish species rarely grow to the length of six inches. Stonecats live in fast-moving rivers with rocky bottoms in Missouri. Stonecats live in these areas under rocks during the daytime hours and come out to feed after dark.
While anglors do not target stonecats for food, they may end up hooked with bait of small worms or hellgrammites. The stonecats have venomous spines along their pectoral fins, which do not pose a threat to humans, but may provide a mild sting to inexperienced anglors handling these fish. The presence of stonecat fish species in Missouri’s rivers is an indicator of the health of the river systems.
Overall, the diversity of the catfish species in Missouri is indicative of the health of the waterways of the state. From the blue catfish that make thunderous runs in the Missouri River to bullhead catfish that provide a thrill to anglors with a simple cane pole at dusk, each of the catfish species in Missouri has its own unique way of providing an experience for anglors. Knowing the habits, bait preferences, and locations of these fish will increase the success of an angler.
The next time anglors head out to the water to fish for anything, they should take a minute to look at the catfish they catch. Each fish species has a unique character with its set of whiskers, and it is these catfish species that keep the rivers of Missouri to contain its waters and fish.