Species profile
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Identify Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 32 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 35 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Tennessee); the most generous is 100 (Wisconsin).
Across 12 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 26.2 in (≈ 2 ft 2 in).
Confirmed by 1,658 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Texas, Virginia, and Maryland the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- North America's largest native catfish — the all-tackle world record exceeds 140 pounds.
- Originally native to the Mississippi River basin, it is now an invasive species in many Atlantic coast rivers.
- Adults have a plain, unspotted blue-gray body with a deeply forked tail.
- Can live more than 20 years, growing slowly throughout their lifespan.
- Actively hunts live prey including shad and herring, unlike many bottom-feeding catfish.
Where Blue Catfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Blue Catfish
Background
The blue catfish is a large species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 65 in (170 cm) and a weight of 143 lb (65 kg). The continent's largest catfish, it can live to 20 years, with a typical fish being between 25–46 in (64–117 cm) and 30–70 lb (14–32 kg).
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Blue Catfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Blue Catfish?
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 35 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Blue Catfish?
Blue Catfish is Ictalurus furcatus.
Is Blue Catfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Blue Catfish has fishing regulations in 32 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Blue Catfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Blue Catfish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.