Channel Catfish are one of the largest fish found in Northern Virginia. They can grow to almost four feet long and up to 50 pounds, however they are usually much smaller. It is not uncommon to see a fish three feet long and twenty pounds.
Channel Catfish are usually slender and mostly bluish-gray. The sides may be light blue or silvery with scattered black spots, and the belly is white.
Channel Catfish have a large flat head with large eyes. They have an overbite and eight barbels (whiskers) around their mouths.
They can also be identified by their caudal (tail) fin, which is forked.Channel Catfish live in rivers, lakes, ponds, and large creeks. They usually hide under logs, rock ledges, muskrat houses, beaver dams, or undercut banks. They also hide along weedy shores.
Channel Catfish spawn (mate) in late Spring and early Summer. First, the male finds a good hidden, dark spot. He then waits for the female to show up. After mating, the male chases the female away. He will guard the yellowish egg mass by himself.
The male guards the eggs from predators, including other catfish. He himself will sometimes eat some of the eggs.