Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

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Wildlife & Conservation

Blue Catfish


The blue catfish is a heavyweight, sometimes weighing over 100 pounds. It's a migratory fish found in large rivers and reservoirs, and, like the channel cat, prefers waters with good current over bottoms of rock, gravel or sand. Blues resemble channel cats but have a distinct hump-backed appearance, a straight-edged anal fin with 30 to 35 rays and lack the black body spots typical of small channel cats. Cut shad and crayfish are among the most popular baits.