Scientific Name:               Ictalurus furcatus
Common Name(s):         Blue Catfish, Blues, White Cat, Blue Cat

Tnaqua.org

Channel catfish (bottom) compared to blue catfish (top)

Identification:

The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is commonly mistaken for the similar channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Juvenile channel catfish typically have dark spots on their side that usually fade as they approach adulthood. Blue catfish also have a straight anal fin, compared to the rounded anal fin of the channel catfish. The Blue catfish is the largest in North America, reaching lengths up to 65 inches (average 25-46 inches), and weighing up to 150 pounds. They are relatively long-lived, with a lifespan of up to 20 years. Blue catfish have a deeply forked tail and whisker-like structures around their mouths known as barbels. Their upper jaw overhangs the lower jaw, and they have a relatively large mouth with small eyes. Pectoral and dorsal fins contain spines. Like all catfish, the blue catfish have an adipose fin which is a small fleshy projection on their back just in front of their tail fin. Blue catfish are blue-gray in color with a white belly. The current state record was caught on the Mississippi River and weighed  116 lbs. 8oz.

Range:

Ictalurus furcatus is native to the Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers, also south of Belize and Guatemala. Blue catfish have been introduced to many water bodies along the East Coast and mid-west.

Ecology:

Blue catfish are warm water fish, preferring water temperatures around 72-78°F. They have adapted to many different climates and can tolerate brackish water, meaning they can live almost anywhere. In Virginia, they were introduced and populations exploded, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay, where they are considered an invasive species. They have devastated native mussel and blue crab populations. Blue catfish are natural opportunistic predators, and their large size and long lifespan make them problematic invaders. They like to occupy deep, swift channels with sandy bottoms. Blue catfish are native to Arkansas and are heavily stocked in larger water bodies for sport fishing as well as food.

Spawning in Arkansas occurs from April-June, when water temperatures are around 70-75°F. Not much is known about blue catfish spawning behavior, although they do build nests and guard their young until the eggs hatch.

Blue catfish are bottom feeders, consuming fish, insects, freshwater mussels, crayfish, and fingernail clams. They use their olfactory and taste senses more than their eyesight to find prey.

Special Notes:

Here in Bella Vista, blue catfish have been stocked in the larger lakes. Anglers hoping to catch a blue catfish should fish on the bottom and can try using shad, minnows, crayfish, earthworms, or even artificial bait like stink bait or chicken liver and gizzards.