Flathead Catfish fishing
Pylodictis olivaris. Broad, flattened head with small eyes set on top, and a lower jaw that projects noticeably beyond the upper jaw.
Flathead Catfish fishing uses live bluegill or other sunfish on 30 to 50 lb line, at night. Flathead catfish are not stocked like channel or blue catfish: they spawn naturally, with males building nests and guarding eggs and fry.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 21, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Night
- Line
- 30–50 lb
- Hook sizes
- 6/0 to 8/0 circle hooks, the same range most catfish anglers use to handle large live baits
- Stocked in
- 2 states
Identification
- Broad, flattened head with small eyes set on top, and a lower jaw that projects noticeably beyond the upper jaw.
- Squared, only slightly notched tail, unlike the deeply forked tail of channel and blue catfish.
- Pale yellow to olive or light brown, mottled with dark brown and black blotches, fading to a pale yellow-white belly.
- Free adipose fin set well apart from the tail fin, another trait that separates it from channel and blue catfish.
- Grows larger than channel catfish, second only to blue catfish among North American catfish; fish over 100 pounds are documented.
Sources: mdc.mo.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , ncwildlife.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 21, 2026
Top baits
Hooked through the back below the dorsal fin or through both lips, then fished on bottom near logjams and cut banks.
Hooked through the back or lips the same way as live sunfish, fished on bottom tight to woody cover.
Sources: mdc.mo.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , ncwildlife.gov, accessed September 21, 2026
Line & tackle
- Line
- 30–50 lb
- Rod power
- Hook sizes
- 6/0 to 8/0 circle hooks, the same range most catfish anglers use to handle large live baits
Stocked behavior
Flathead catfish are not stocked like channel or blue catfish: they spawn naturally, with males building nests and guarding eggs and fry. This site's data shows only occasional plants: Ohio 1972 to 1982, Texas mostly before 1993 and a few since 2016.
Common mistakes
- Fishing cut or dead bait like a channel catfish angler would; flatheads rarely eat dead or decaying material, so use live or freshly killed bait.
- Fishing open water; flathead catfish prefer cut banks, dikes and backwaters with an abundance of woody cover such as logjams.
- Fishing during the day; flathead catfish feed along the bottom at night in deep pools with slow current, which makes them more difficult to catch.
Where it's stocked
35 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Ohio
Texas
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 33.85 lbs | David Medina | John Martin Reservoir Spillway | 2023 |
| Idaho | 58.5 lbs | J. Newberry/K. McCormick | Brownlee Reservoir | 1994 |
| Kentucky | 97.00 lbs | Esker Carroll | Green River | 1956 |
| Michigan | 64.46 lbs | – | Plum Creek, Monroe County | 2025 |
| Virginia | 68 lbs. 12 oz. | Jeffrey E. Dill | Lake Smith | 2018 |
| Washington | 22.80 lbs | C. L. McCary | Snake River | 1981 |
| Wisconsin | 74 lbs. 5.1 oz. | – | Mississippi River, Vernon County | 2001 |
| Wyoming | 22.46 lbs. | Dallas Stanton - Glenrock, WY | North Platte River, Converse County | 2004 |
Common questions
What bait works for Flathead Catfish?
Live bluegill or other sunfish: Hooked through the back below the dorsal fin or through both lips, then fished on bottom near logjams and cut banks. Live bullhead: Hooked through the back or lips the same way as live sunfish, fished on bottom tight to woody cover. Large live minnows or goldfish. Live or cut crayfish.
What water temperature do Flathead Catfish prefer?
66 to 90°F.
How big do Flathead Catfish get?
The Colorado record is 33.85 lbs from John Martin Reservoir Spillway in 2023. The Idaho record is 58.5 lbs from Brownlee Reservoir in 1994. The Washington record is 22.80 lbs from Snake River in 1981. 5 more state records are on this page.