Flathead Catfish

	Scientific Name	Pylodictis olivaris
	Other Names	Yellow cat, Mud cat, Shovelhead cat, Johnnie cat, Goujon, Appaluchion, Opelousas
	World Record	123 lbs. 9 ounces Independence , Kansas

Description

Flathead catfish bynature have a flattened head, tiny eyes, squarish tail and protruding lower jaw distinguish the flathead from other catfish. They are yellow-brown and usually mottled above, with a creamy-white or yellow belly. Small flatheads may be confused with yellow or brown bullheads.

Habitat

Flatheads are found mainly in large rivers and their major tributaries. They prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately-turbid streams. Adult flatheads are solitary and spend most of their time in deep water near cover such as log jams or fallen trees.

Feeding Habit

They are predatory fish and will consume any fish and often feed on other catfish. The young rely more extensively on aquatic insects and crayfish than do the adults. Large flatheads sometime congregate where food is plentiful such as near structures or dams. They often feed at the surface or in shallow water at night, returning to their residence in a hole or brush pile to rest during the day.

Age and Growth

Although flatheads have been aged to 19 years, the species is probably capable based on its maximum size of about 56 inches of living much longer. They grow faster than any other catfish except blue.

Tackle and Methods

They are extremely strong fighters. Their solitary lifestyle, however, makes them more difficult to catch than other catfish. They bite best at night while in shallow water looking for food. To catch flatheads, anglers typically fish on the bottom using heavy tackle with live or freshly cut fish. Tackle needs to be strong as these fish fight hard. It needs to be balanced with the right size rod, reel and line capable of removing and preventing these fish fighting their way back into the snags.

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