Last updated: October 20, 2026, 4:48 PM CDT

Catfish (blue, channel & flathead) in Texas: where, when & how to catch them

Catfish are the second most popular group of fish among licensed Texas anglers, according to TPWD, and they're in almost every lake we cover. This guide covers Texas's three big catfish: channel, blue and flathead, how to tell them apart, where they live, what they eat and the statewide rules.

Also called channel cat, fiddler, blue cat, hump-back blue, yellow cat, opelousa, shovelhead.

How to identify catfish

Channel catfish: deeply forked tail, olive-brown to slate-blue back, usually with small black spots (large adults may lose them). The anal fin has a rounded outer edge and 24–29 rays.
Blue catfish: also a forked tail, but no dark spots (except the Rio Grande population) and usually slate blue above, white below. The anal fin has a straight outer edge and 30–36 rays. Counting anal rays is the surest way to separate blues from channels.
Flathead catfish: broad, flattened head with the lower jaw sticking out past the upper. Pale yellow to light brown and heavily mottled, with a tail that's only slightly notched, not deeply forked.
In channel and blue catfish the upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw; in flatheads it's the other way around.

Sources: TPWD: Catfish identification; TPWD: Channel catfish; TPWD: Blue catfish; TPWD: Flathead catfish.

Where to find catfish in Texas

Channel catfish now range throughout Texas and are most abundant in large streams with low or moderate current. Blue catfish are big-river fish that live in main channels, tributaries and reservoirs on major river systems, moving upstream in summer for cooler water and downstream in winter for warmer water. Flatheads prefer deep pools in rivers, lakes and reservoirs with cloudy water and slow current. Adult flatheads are usually solitary, each holding under a tree or in a cove in deep water, and move into shallow areas at night to feed. Channel cats spawn in late spring or early summer when the water reaches about 75°F, and flatheads spawn from late May through August at 75–80°F, both in dark cavities such as logs, undercut banks and rocks.

Sources: TPWD: Channel catfish; TPWD: Blue catfish; TPWD: Flathead catfish.

Lakes we cover where TPWD lists catfish

These are lakes on Texas Lake Report where TPWD's lake page lists catfish among the main species, with today's percent full. Each page has the current water level, boat ramps, weather and sun & moon times.

Catfish month by month

General Texas patterns. Timing shifts by a few weeks from north to south and from year to year, and fronts, rain, wind and water temperature move fish day to day.

Month	What fish are typically doing
January	TPWD says winter is the best time for big blue catfish. Look on the edges of creek and river channels and deep holes, and follow concentrations of shad.
February	Still a big-blue month. Deep channel edges and holes; cut or whole shad on the bottom.
March	Warming water spreads fish out. TPWD says spring is very good for numbers of blues; channel cats start feeding more in creeks and on flats.
April	TPWD says spring and early summer are the most popular time to fish for channel cats. Drift or anchor over flats, or fish creeks, with prepared or natural baits.
May	Still prime time for channel cats. Channel and flathead catfish move toward spawning cover (logs, rock, undercut banks) as water nears 75°F.
June	Spawning season for channel cats and flatheads. Fish around rock, riprap and wood. Flatheads feed in the shallows at night.
July	Hot-weather pattern: fish early, late and at night. Flatheads move shallow after dark near deep water; channel cats on baited holes.
August	Like July. Night fishing for flatheads with live bait near woody cover and rock.
September	Late-summer patterns continue; channel cats feed well on flats and points as water starts to cool.
October (now)	Cooling water and moving shad. Catfish follow bait into creeks and onto points and flats.
November	Blues start grouping up on deeper structure and channel edges as the water cools.
December	Winter blue catfish pattern returns: deep channel edges, holes and bait schools.

Proven baits and techniques

Channel cats: natural and prepared baits: TPWD lists liver, worms, grasshoppers, shrimp, chicken, corn, hot dogs and cheese, plus prepared dough, dip and punch baits. TPWD also notes that baiting a hole with soured grain can improve your odds.
Blue cats: shad and minnows: Live or dead minnows or shad, fished on the edges of creek channels and other deep holes.
Flatheads: live fish: Flatheads prey only on live fish once they're about 10 inches long. Fish live baitfish at night near woody cover and rock. TPWD says rod-and-reel anglers may do best just below reservoir dams.
Drifting and anchoring: Drifting or anchoring over large flats is a time-honored way to find channel and blue cats.
Trotlines, jug lines and throwlines: Legal for catfish in Texas fresh water, with rules on placement, tagging and hook counts. Read TPWD's legal devices rules before setting any.

Sources: TPWD: Catfish (PDF); TPWD: Flathead catfish; TPWD: Legal devices.

Texas catfish limits (statewide)

Channel & blue catfish: daily bag	25 in any combination; only 10 can be 20 inches or longer
Channel & blue catfish: minimum length	None
Flathead catfish: daily bag	5
Flathead catfish: minimum length	18 inches

Statewide limits valid Sept. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027 (checked Oct. 20, 2026). Some lakes have their own catfish rules (Lake Texoma, for example), and they override the statewide rule. TPWD is the authority, and limits can change. See our License & regulations guide for licenses, tags and how to check a specific lake.

Sources: TPWD: Freshwater bag and length limits; TPWD: Lake-specific exceptions.

Big blues

TPWD calls the blue catfish the largest freshwater sport fish in Texas and lists the Texas rod-and-reel record at 121.5 pounds. TPWD encourages anglers to release trophy-size catfish, since it can take 20 years or more to grow one, and notes that smaller fish (under 10 pounds) are better eating.

Sources: TPWD: Blue catfish; TPWD: Catfish (PDF); TPWD: Fish records.

Gear for catfish

TPWD suggests a stout rod with a reel that handles at least 10 lb line for channel cats, and 30–50 lb line when you're after large blues or flatheads. A 7' medium-heavy rod covers most channel cat fishing from the bank or a boat; longer rods help when casting heavy weights from banks and dams.

Source: TPWD: Catfish (PDF).

Crappie, catfish & striper gear compared

Examples from our comparisons (specs and dated manufacturer prices are on the comparison pages):

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Catfish FAQ

What is the catfish limit in Texas?

Statewide, the daily bag for channel and blue catfish is 25 in any combination, with no minimum length, and only 10 of them can be 20 inches or longer. For flathead catfish the daily bag is 5 with an 18-inch minimum length. Some lakes have their own catfish rules, so check TPWD's lake-specific exceptions.

How do I tell a blue catfish from a channel catfish?

Count the rays in the anal fin. TPWD says channel catfish have 24–29 rays and a rounded fin edge, usually with dark spots on the body. Blue catfish have 30–36 rays, a straight fin edge and no spots.

When is the best time to catch big blue catfish in Texas?

TPWD says winter is the best time to fish for big blues, and spring is very good for numbers of blues. Fish the edges of creek channels and other deep holes with live or dead shad or minnows.

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