Species profile
White Catfish
Ameiurus catus
Identify White Catfish (Ameiurus catus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 8 jurisdictions.
At a glance
White Catfish (Ameiurus catus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 9 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Delaware); the most generous is 25 (New Jersey).
Confirmed by 764 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, North Carolina, and Maryland the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Native to Atlantic Slope rivers from the Hudson River south to Florida.
- A moderately forked tail distinguishes them from the rounded tails of bullhead catfish.
- Introduced to California in the 1870s, they are now well established in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
- They typically reach 12 to 18 inches and weigh 1 to 3 pounds.
- White catfish tolerate brackish, slightly salty water better than most other North American catfish.
Where White Catfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for White Catfish
Background
The white bullhead, also known as the white catfish (Ameiurus catus), is a member of the family Ictaluridae of the order Siluriformes.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's White Catfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is White Catfish?
White Catfish (Ameiurus catus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 9 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for White Catfish?
White Catfish is Ameiurus catus.
Is White Catfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — White Catfish has fishing regulations in 8 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 White Catfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes White 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.