White Catfish

The White Catfish is bluish gray on top and white below. Their tails fork deeply, have no scales, no spots and their barbels extend from the chin and upper jaw. Both dorsal and pectoral fins have strong, sharp spines. White catfish have shorter barbels on the upper jaw than channel catfish, and barbels on lower jaw are whiter. Their head is more rounded and the white on their belly extends to rear of anal fin.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ameiurus catus
CLASSIFICATION: Fish
LIFE SPAN: 7-14 Years
SIZE: 8-33” | 1-17lbs
STATE CONSERVATION STATUS: Unprotected
FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
GAME STATUS: Game

Washoe
Humboldt
Pershing
Churchill
Mineral
Lyon
Douglas
Carson City
Storey

Elko
Lander
Eureka
White Pine

Esmeralda
Nye
Lincoln
Clark

Habitat & Range

White Catfish are native to the Atlantic Coast from Chesapeake Bay south to Florida and Texas. Found in Lahontan and Willow Creek Reservoirs and the Humboldt River system, often co-occurring with Channel Catfish. Generally prefers slower, warmer waters.

Threats

Birds
Larger Fish

Natural History

Native to the Atlantic drainage systems of the U.S. but now intentionally introduced for sport and food to many other states including Nevada. The White Catfish is a sluggish fish that prefer mud-bottomed pools, open channels, and backwaters of small to large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. They Feeds on a wide variety of fishes, insects, and crustaceans.