Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Ictalurus punctatus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Ictaluridae
Genus: Ictalurus
Species: I. punctatus
Body Type & Identification: Slender, scaleless body with a deeply forked tail (distinguishing it from Blue and Flathead). Olive to gray with scattered black spots on younger fish — spots fade with age. Long barbels ("whiskers") around the mouth. The most widely distributed and commonly caught catfish in North America.
Preferred Water Temperature: 70°F–85°F. Most active at night throughout warm months. Feed actively year-round — excellent winter fishing in tailwaters below dams where water stays warmer. Spawn in late spring when water reaches 70°F–75°F in enclosed cavities.
Habitat: Found throughout the US in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and streams — the most adaptable of the catfish family. Prefer areas with moderate current, sandy or gravel bottom, and access to deeper pools. Common in river tailwaters, channel edges, and near submerged structure.
Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificial lures. Scented soft plastics (Berkley PowerBait) produce some catches. Small jigs tipped with cut bait work near bottom.
Best Baits: Chicken liver is the most popular and widely used catfish bait — strong scent trail attracts fish. Cut shad is excellent in rivers. Stink baits and dip baits on sponge hooks work throughout the season. Live small sunfish are outstanding for large fish. Nightcrawlers produce consistent results. Prepared stink baits such as Team Catfish products are very effective. Bottom rigs with egg sinkers or three-way swivels in current are standard.
Top 5 Destinations: Red River ND/MN, Missouri River, Mississippi River, Lake Texoma OK/TX, Santee Cooper SC.
| Box Elder County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Cutler Reservoir (28) | 4-9-2015 | Cache, Utah |
| Williard Bay Reservoir (40) | 6-5-2015 | Willard, Utah |
| Cache County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Hyrum Reservoir & State Park (61) | 3-18-2026 | Hyrum, UT |
| Newton Reservoir (33) | 3-18-2026 | Newton, Utah |
| Carbon County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Carbon City Community Pond (3) | 3-2-2026 | Price, Utah |
| Knight-Ideal Pond (3) | 3-2-2026 | Wellington , UT |
| Daggett County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Flaming Gorge Reservoir (UT & WY) (110) | 5-9-2025 | |
| Davis County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Holmes Creek Reservoir (69) | 3-18-2026 | Layton, UT |
| Weber River (42) | 3-18-2026 | UT |
| Emery County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Huntington North Reservoir (2) | 8-29-2025 | Huntington, UT |
| Lower Green River (5) | 5-28-2015 | UT |
| Garfield County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Lake Powell (133) | 11-30-2025 | |
| Grand County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Lower Green River (5) | 5-28-2015 | UT |
| Iron County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Newcastle Reservoir (4) | 3-11-2026 | Newcastle, Utah |
| Kane County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Lake Powell (133) | 11-30-2025 | |
| Millard County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Gunnison Bend Reservoir (3) | 3-16-2026 | Delta, Utah |
| Morgan County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Weber River (42) | 3-18-2026 | UT |
| Piute County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Piute Reservoir (2) | 3-16-2026 | Junction, Utah |
| Salt Lake County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Cove Pond (1) | 12-6-2024 | Herriman, Utah |
| Jordan River (1) | 2-16-2024 | Utah |
| San Juan County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Kens Lake (2) | 8-29-2025 | Spanish Valley, UT |
| Lake Powell (133) | 11-30-2025 | |
| Sanpete County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Yuba Reservoir (4) | 12-6-2024 | Gunnison, Utah |
| Summit County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Weber River (42) | 3-18-2026 | UT |
| Uintah County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Brough Reservoir (46) | 3-7-2026 | Vernal, UT |
| Utah County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Bullock Reservoir (1) | 3-7-2026 | Gusher, Utah |
| Highland Glen Park Pond (1) | 12-6-2024 | Highland, Utah |
| Jordan River (1) | 2-16-2024 | Utah |
| Provo River (46) | 4-1-2024 | Provo, Utah |
| Salem Pond (1) | 8-20-2025 | Salem , Utah |
| Spring Lake (2) | 8-20-2025 | Payson, Utah |
| Utah Lake (40) | 6-11-2025 | Provo, UT |
| Wasatch County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Provo River (46) | 4-1-2024 | Provo, Utah |
| Wayne County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Lower Green River (5) | 5-28-2015 | UT |
| Weber County Fishing Spots | ||
| Name (# of Reports) | Last Update | Location |
| Meadow Creek Pond (3) | 3-18-2026 | Roy , Utah |
| Weber River (42) | 3-18-2026 | UT |
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