Eenie Meenie Miney Mo, catch a Catfish, don’t let go. But which one is it? Do you know? It’s no question why anglers love the “Big Three”: Channel, Blue, and Flathead Catfish. When it comes to looks, however, you might not always know what you’ve got. It’s easy to recognize Flathead thanks to their, well, flat heads. But when it comes to the other two, the difference can be fuzzy (or should we say “furry”?). Before you get your whiskers twisted, here’s everything you need to know about Blue Catfish vs. Channel Catfish.
How to Identify Channel Catfish vs. Blue Catfish
First of all, why bother knowing the difference? If you’re hoping to catch a Catfish, you’ll be happy either way.
Aside from getting flak from other anglers, it’s important to know due to regulations. These species overlap in some places, where size and bag limits for them may differ. So, put the Cat fight on paws for a moment if you aren’t sure what you hooked.
Channel Catfish
Statistically, you’re most likely to catch a Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). These are the most widely distributed species in the US, from small ponds to large rivers in every state. On the flip side, they’re also the smallest of the Big Three, averaging just 1–10 pounds. On rare occasions, a trophy might reach 30 or 40 pounds.
Apart from their puny size, you can recognize a Channel Catfish based on the following features:
- Color. Channel Cats are olive in color, though this may look more yellow or brown on occasion.
- Spots. Juvenile fish have dark spots scattered along their sides. As they age, these spots fade.
- Anal fin. The fin beneath their tails has 24–29 rays. An easier clue, however, is the fin’s rounded edges.
Blue Catfish
Meanwhile, Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are the largest species in North America. They commonly grow over 50 pounds and can even tip the scale past 100. That’s enough to make you trade in those gym barbells for these Barbels!
Needless to say, they’re a top target for Catfish anglers. You may have to go out of your way to reap this reward, though, since they’re not as widespread as Channel Cats. Blue Catfish prefer large river systems and reservoirs throughout the southeastern states.
A few ways to tell you’ve got a Blue Catfish are:
- Color. These cats are indeed blue – or rather, slate – colored. They have no markings.
- Anal fin. Their anal fins have 30–36 rays. The edges are straight, rather than rounded.
It’s worth noting that both Blue and Channel Catfish have deeply forked tails. This won’t help you tell them apart from each other, but it’s a marked difference to Flathead Catfish, which have flat tails.
There’s one more difference we have to mention here, which is taste. One of the main reasons anglers go after these fish is for table fare, and when it comes to flavor, Channel Cats take the cake. They are, in fact, the tastiest Catfish out there, due to their pale meat, which is firm, flaky, and mild.
Where to Find Blue and Channel Catfish
Blue Cats are pretty particular. They’re most common in their native habitat: the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River basins. However, they’ve also been introduced to other parts of the country with some success, including the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and even parts of California.
It should come as no surprise that big fish prefer big waters. This means large rivers, deep channels, and open reservoir basins. Blues often hold near drop-offs, dams, and underwater ledges where the current runs relatively fast.
Channel Catfish, on the other hand, thrive across the country, thanks to their high adaptability. You’ll find them everywhere from muddy farm ponds to large rivers. More specifically, they like moderate currents and soft bottoms. They often hang out near riffles, undercut banks, or submerged logs.
Both species are migratory, which dictates where exactly you should fish for them depending on the season. They head upstream in late spring and early summer to spawn. Meanwhile, winter drives them into deeper holes. While they cover less water during this time, that also makes them less scattered, so you can pinpoint them more easily if you know where to look.
Blue and Channel Catfish Behavior
Like all Catfish, Blues and Channels are bottom dwellers with a keen sense of smell. But their feeding habits – and fighting habits – are surprisingly different.
Blue Catfish are predators. Their size and strength make them formidable hunters, capable of ambushing their prey much like real jungle cats. Nothing triggers their predator instinct like fresh bait, either live or cut.
This is a big contrast to Channel Cats, which are omnivores. This gives you a lot of wiggle room when it comes to bait selection. In addition to chasing live prey, they scavenge for dead fish, suck up insects, and munch on vegetation. Their diet makes them opportunistic feeders, ready to bite just about anything you throw their way. Anglers have a lot of success fishing for them with dough balls, stink baits, and chicken livers.
Oh, and here’s an extra tip! Channel Cats feed heavily at night, so you’ll have some luck under the cover of darkness.
How to Catch Blue and Channel Catfish
And now, the real question: What’s the difference when you’re fishing for Blue Catfish vs. Channel Catfish?
When it comes to the sport value of these two fish, their feeding habits predict a lot. Blues will lock you into a tug of war, while puny and opportunistic Channel Cats put up a scrappy fight. You can catch both fish using somewhat similar techniques, but plan on packing completely different gear.
Blue Catfish
Given their predatory nature, Blue Cats take an interest in moving bait. This is why some anglers rely on trolling – or “bumping” – in big rivers, where they drag fresh bait along the bottom and let it bounce to draw attention. This technique is very effective, but it requires a boat and considerable experience.
A simpler way to catch Blues is drift fishing. In large rivers and reservoirs, you can use a strong current to your advantage by allowing it to carry your bait across the bottom. In some cases, anchoring up and dropping your bait over deep holes or ledges is enough.
Common bait choices for Blue Cats include fresh cut shad and herring. Use bait fish that naturally occur in the area to increase your chances.
If you’re targeting trophy Blues, come strapped for the occasion. This usually means packing a 7–9′ heavy action rod and a reel that has a strong drag system. Use 30–80 lb mono or braided line, along with circle hooks in sizes 6/0–10/0.
But some anglers catch Blues without using any gear at all! Enter noodling – a unique method which involves sticking your hand down a river hole and hoping a Flathead or Blue Catfish is the only thing that bites. This is a popular technique in many southern states, though some areas have banned it.
Channel Catfish
Of course, you’ll want something different when going after Channel Catfish. Still fishing is a simple yet effective way to target ’em. Fish baits such as nightcrawlers, stink bait, shrimp, chicken liver, or dough baits using a slip sinker rig or float setup.
Float rigs are really useful in moving water, such as rivers, especially if you want to drift your bait near structure. Meanwhile, chumming with fish bits or fermented grain is a great way to draw these Cats to you when you’re fishing in small ponds or lakes.
Channel Catfish may be small, but they’re spitfires, which makes them a lot of fun to catch on light tackle. Bring a 6–8′ medium or medium-heavy spinning rod paired with a 3000–4000 reel (or equivalent baitcasting gear). There’s usually no need to go beyond 10–20 lb mono line and size 2/0–5/0 hooks.
Top Blue and Channel Catfish Fishing Spots
Now that you know the ABCs of catfishing, it’s time to catch these species. The best part is, you don’t necessarily have to choose – many waters are home to both.
Mississippi River
There’s no river more synonymous with Catfish than the mighty Mississippi. Scour the backwaters and tributaries for Channel Cats as well as Blues. The best time to target both species here runs from spring through fall. On the earlier end of that timeframe, fish for Blue Cats near deeper holes.
James River
The James River in Virginia may just be the best fishery when it comes to trophy Blue Cats. Anglers here regularly catch Blues over 80 pounds. Try soaking or drifting shad for them near deep channels and ledges. You can catch these fish year-round, but winter and early spring mark the peak season for them.
Santee Cooper Lakes
Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie in South Carolina are legendary for giant Blue Cats. The open water studded with timber throughout these lakes make them unique fishing grounds. As in other places, summer marks peak season for Channel Catfish, while you can expect more Blues during the cooler months.
Red River
Channel Cats may be the runts of the litter, but some of them grow surprisingly big – especially in the Red River. This river running through Minnesota and North Dakota has a reputation for producing fish over 20 pounds every year. June and July mark peak Channel Catfish action here.
Lake Tawakoni
They don’t call Lake Tawakoni the “Catfish Capital of Texas” for nothing. In case that doesn’t say it all, we’ll just add that you can catch large numbers of Blues as well as Channel Catfish here. Summer offers non-stop light tackle action for Channel Catfish. Spring and fall are nice bookends to that season when you can enjoy the best Blue Cat fishing.
Ohio River
The Ohio River flows through Kentucky, Indiana, and its namesake, Ohio. Feeder creeks are home to Channel Cats, while deeper bends and dams along the river hold Blues. Depending on your location, catfishing here is most productive between late spring and early fall.
Blue vs. Channel Catfish FAQs
Blue Catfish vs. Channel Catfish: Battle of the Barbels
When it comes to Blue Catfish vs. Channel Catfish, we aren’t just comparing two fish – we’re describing two totally different experiences. Channel Cats are small but plentiful, making them a great target for beginners. When you’re ready to level up, big Blue Cats will be waiting in deeper waters. One is excellent to serve for dinner, while the other is sure to serve a fight.
We can’t say one is better than the other – and no, it’s not because the cat’s got our tongue! Frankly, it just depends on what you’re looking for. But then again, why choose one when you can have both?
Are you an avid Catfish angler? Which species do you most regularly hunt? Maybe you have a personal best you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
