Ictalurus punctatus
(Rafinesque 1818)
Family Ictaluridae
The channel catfish is a member of the North American catfish family. It has scattered black spots and a rounded anal fin with between 24 and 32 rays. Channel catfish can be found in lakes and rocky and sandy pools and runs of small to large rivers.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central and Peninsula drainages
- River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Yellow River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Apalachicola River, Ochlockonee River, minor Gulf tributaries, Suwannee River, Tampa Bay, the Myakka or Peace River, the Everglades, St. John’s River and the St. Mary’s River