Less Popular,But Of Interest

Here, we will discuss other species of catfish which have some interest to our readers. Besides the big 3, there are numerous other species of various sizes and description. The following are catfish in which some of our readers have indicated and interest. If you have an interest or question about a particular species, simply contact catfishing@grandecom.net with your suggestion or question.

White Catfish: The white catfish is actually a branch of the bull head catagory. They are also sometimes called a forked tail catfish. Their biological name is Ameiurus catus. Color ranges from a blue-black top to sides that are blue-gray and mottled (but not spotted). They fade to a whitish belly. The tail is moderately forked and the anal fin is short and rounded. The anal fin has 19 to 22 rays. The chin barbels may be whit or yellow. The head is somewhat rounded. Normal size ranges up to 18 inches and about 3 pounds, with very few being larger. The largest on record is 18.8 pounds, caught in the Withlacoochee River in Florida.

The white catfish is found in waters of eastern, central and southern United States. They are more common in the eastern states. These fish, or a close cousin, considered the same, are also found in western Europe. They prefer low current or still water. Like all bull heads, thy frequent silty bottoms and more turbid water and prefer temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees. They even tollerate brackish water.

Spawning is uaually in late spring and early summer, in waters of about 70 degrees or above. They build nest and both male and female guard the nest.

Normal food is small aquatic life forms such as crayfish, small fish and aquatic insects. They most always feed near the bottom. Better baits are those similar to the ones used for small channel catfish, live bait such as minnows or worms. But they also scavange and are also caught on dead bait, cut bait and stink bait.

White catfish have a firm white meat and are very good for eating. They are a frequent target for fishermen in areas where they are abundant.

Bullhead Catfish: The bullhead catfish is found in most all waters of central and southern United States. They are very common, being found in most all places other catfish are found. They are also found in small ponds and streams that dry up to small water holes. They are frequently referred to as mud cats.

There are actually two well known species of bull head catfish, the black bullhead and the yellow bullhead.
The BLACK BULLHEAD is actually dark brown or dark blue-brown. It has a slight fork in the tail fin and 17 to 30 rays in the anal fin. The black bullhead has black barbels hanging from the chin.
The YELLOW BULLHEAD is actually a light brown to light yellow. It has a flat to rounded tail fin and 24 to 27 rays in the anal fin. The yellow bullhead has white barbels hanging from the chin.
BOTH have a mximum size of about 6 pounds, with a normal size of about 2 pounds or less.

The bullhead catfish is found in most all waters, but is most commonly found in muddy, shallow water. It can survive in slimy, low oxigen water that other catfish will not tolerate. They do well in standing water.

Normal food is small aquatic life forms such as crayfish, small fish and aquatic insects. They most always feed near the bottom. Bullheads are scavengers. They are readily caught with dead minnows, blood bait, cut bait and various types of stink bait. When fishing for bullheads, you would use a much smaller hook than for other catfish and the bait size would be much smaller. Bullheads are agressive feeders and you normally have plenty of time to set the hook.

Due to their smaller size,compared to other catfish, they are not commonly sought. Also their tendency to be found in muddy, slimy water, make them less desirable to eat. They can be quite tasty, however, if caught in cleaner water or if held in a holding tank for a time, to clean their system, before eating.

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