When you go fishing, it’s not like hiking in the mountains or taking a boat out into deep waters; it’s something different entirely when you fish Maryland. There is a large system of freshwater channels in and around the Chesapeake Bay which means there’s plenty of catfish. Whether this is your first time trying your hand at catching these bottom dwellers or you’ve been hooked on landing big ones, there are many different types of catfish and knowing what to expect will help ensure a good day of fishing.
Most folks who casually visit freshwater fisheries think that all catfish is alike, muddy bottom dweller. It frustrates them when their baits gets ignored or their hooks bend under unexpected pressure. Every species has its own style of fight, habitat preference, and behavior patterns.
Being able to identify the species you’re after will dictate how, when, and what you use. Species ID can mean the difference between a fast snack and a full-on battle. Maryland is a great place for channel catfish and there’s a good reason why: There is no shortage of ’em and they’re located in nearly all the creeks, rivers, and impoundments across the state.
Different Types of Catfish Found in Maryland Waters
1. Channel Catfish
You won’t need to go very far to find one near a structure like a submerged bridge or a tree that fell into the water. These fish will feed in the entire water column, but their favorite spot will have moderate current breaks where they can wait for an easy meal without using too much energy. They’ll eat just about anything.
Channel cats are good fun because they’ll take nearly any bait presented. Known for being heavily scented feeders looking for meals in dirty water, they’ll readily consume stink baits, chicken livers and cut shad. And although they’re of moderate size, they fight spiritedly and tend to jump out of the water when hooked.
Even if fishing’s a little slow, this lively nature make it interesting. On the downside, however, they rarely weigh more than 20 pounds. Unless you visit very productive reservoirs or commercial ponds, don’t expect big records.
2. Blue Catfish
The heavyweights of the freshwater fishery of Maryland are blue catfish. Blues generally seek out deeper water with a current, as opposed to their counterpart channel cats; that could be deep holes in big lake such as Cunningham Falls Reservoir or river channels. The size is impressive as well with some weighing more than 100-pounds, especially in optimum habitat.
Because of they’re weight, they demand bigger tackle. They need strong rods and heavy braid rated for high pound tests. Blue Cat fish are a bit pickier eaters and can be targeted with more pinpoint accuracy and patience.
Processed “stink” baits may not be as effective than fresh offerings like chunked squid, live shad or even skipjack herring. As with all the others, they’re most likely to bite during the lowlight periods, meaning dawn and dusk, but the key is finding them since they aren’t as nomadic as the other two species and won’t wander onto shallow flats much. Once you get one hooked up, you’ll know it, they put the hurt on your tackle.
3. Flathead Catfish
Because of their unique eating habits, flathead catfish fill a role that very few other species do. Many other types of freshwater fish in Maryland scavenge for decaying material or eat dead and dying specimens from various sources. Unlike them, flatheads nearly exclusively eats live baitfish.
Because of this food specialty, they will not be caught on dough balls and cut bait, only by something alive like a sunfish, white bass, or shad on a hook designed to let it swim freely. Flatheads love deep holes and heavy cover and can be found tucked under an overhang along the bank or hiding out in big pieces of wood. Unlike channels which tend to school up, these elusively sneaky cats is well known for being hard to find.
Flathead fishing is less about quantity and more about accuracy and stealth. Make your casts right next to the structure where your live bait will naturaly float. Cast them right across the path of a big one.
4. White Catfish
The payoff is a fish of huge strength with a unique muscular body shape that demands respect from even the most experienced angler. White catfish are the most overlooked fish in the family in Maryland waters. They are the smallest, but they can be caught on light tackle that will not tear through the lip of these finicky fish.
Found in backwaters and slow moving streams, they feed on small crustaceans and insects as they scavenge along. With their modest appetite and delicate mouth, commercial attractants work best. A small piece of worm is ideal.
Fine line and light tackle are necessary for a hook set with these little guys. White cats aren’t going to challenge your drag system but can certainly let you know how healthy the ecosystem is and what the water quality looks like. White cats love clean, well oxygenated water.
If you catch some white cats, you are probably fishing a good stretch of water for trout as well. Kids enjoy fishing for them too. They are easy to catch.
They provide just enough fight to make it enjoyable without threatening your equipment. Seeing white cats tells you that you are on a good piece of water and there will likely be other desirable species nearby. Learning these differences will turn a casual day of fishing into a calculated sport.
Maryland offers enough variety to keep any angler interested, from the sneaky flathead to the powerful blue and everything in between. You can tailor your methods well when selecting the right prey for your day on the water. The next time you are standing on the shore with the bay tributaries spread out before you, ask yourself which fish has the key to the experience you’re looking for.