Fish Explorer Logo
Florida
Florida Fishing FishExplorer.com
Florida Fishing  
Login Usr:Psd:
No account? Register now...
 
spacer spacer
spacer

Florida Fish Species

Alligator Gar
American Eel
American Shad
Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Black Bullhead
Black Crappie
Black Drum
Blue Catfish
Blue Tilapia
Bluegill
Bowfin
Brown Bullhead
Brown Hoplo
Chain Pickerel
Channel Catfish
Clown Knifefish
Common Carp
Flathead Catfish
Flier
Florida Gar
Gizzard Shad
Golden Shiner
Goldfish
Grass Carp
Green Sunfish
Hybrid Striped Bass(wiper/palmetto)
Inland Silverside
Ladyfish
Lake Chubsucker
Largemouth Bass
Longnose Gar
Longnose Sucker
Mayan Cichlid
Mozambique Tilapia
Oscar
Peacock Bass
Red Drum
Redbreast Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Redfin Pickerel
Redspotted Sunfish
Shoal Bass
Spotted Bass
Spotted Sunfish
Spotted Tilapia
Striped Bass
Striped Mullet
Suckermouth Catfish
Sunfish (Bream)
Suwannee Bass
Threadfin Shad
Warmouth
White Bass
White Catfish
Yellow Bullhead

Lakes with Blue Catfish on FishExplorer
Blue Catfish
Blue catfish are round in shape with a flat belly, as they age they frequently develop a distinct hump in front of the dorsal fin.  Their anal fin is long and has a straight margin and 30-35 rays of equal length.  Their color tends to be shades of blue-gray, although they can take on a silvery appearance. The belly typically fades toward white at the very bottom. Their skin is smooth with no scales and generally free of markings.
 
Most blues are not sexually mature before reaching 24 inches. They spawn in late spring/early summer when water temperatures reach 75°F. Blues are nesters and prefer cavities in drift piles, logs, undercut banks, rocks, or other such areas. When young these cats pursue a varied diet, but as it grows it tends to eat primarily fish. Blue catfish commonly grow upwards of 40 pounds and weights over 100 pounds have been record.

Blue Catfish in Florida

The following is courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
 
Appearance: Adults have stout bodies with prominently humped backs in front of the dorsal fin. They resemble channel catfish by having deeply forked tails, but are lack the spots and have a longer, straight-edged anal. The back and upper sides are blue to slate gray, and the belly is white.
 
Habitat:  Originally found in the Escambia and Yellow rivers in northwest Florida, they are now also in the Apalachicola and Suwannee. Blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. They prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock bottoms.
 
Behavior: Young blues eat aquatic insects and small fish while larger blues prefer crayfish, mussels and other fish.
 
State Record: 61.5 lbs. Big Catch: 34 inches or 20 lbs.


Most Recent Blue Catfish Forum Posts
No posts found.
Blue Catfish Articles, Blogs, & Podcasts
Blog: Thoughts on Catfish Tactics 10.07.15 by David Coulson
Blog: Boomerang Tool Co. Grip 11.07.12 by Joshua Christensen
Blog: 4 Apps Every Angler With A Smartphone Should Use 02.09.12 by Joshua Christensen
Blog: Big Rains, Big Catfish and Warmer Weather 01.29.12 by Chad Ferguson
Blog: Clouser Pattern Detailed - New Article 12.16.11 by Matt Snider
Blog: Fall and Winter Catfishing 10.30.11 by Chad Ferguson
Blog: North Texas Catfishing Update 10.16.11 by Chad Ferguson
Blog: Become a pro 09.30.11 by Joshua Christensen
Recent Florida Blue Catfish Photos by Fish Explorer Members
No Photos Found.
Submit your photo...
 
×

Info