Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
For blue and channel catfish, no minimum length limit; daily bag limit = 25 in any combination, of which only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag limit = 5.
Identify your catch
Forked tail; younger fish commonly show dark body spots. The anal-fin edge is more rounded than in blue catfish.
Habitat on Lone Star
Limited vegetation, submerged wood, brush, creek channels and riprap provide cover.
Fishing approach
Lake guide guidance: TPWD publishes no dedicated tactics section for this lake.
Fishing guidance describes documented approaches, not a promise of fish activity today.
Women of childbearing age and children under 12: DO NOT EAT. Women past childbearing age and males age 12 and older: At most 1 meals per month; 8 oz per meal. Ellison Creek Reservoir (Lone Star Lake), Morris County Also known as Ellison Creek Reservoir.
Harvest permission and eating restrictions are separate.
General species guide
Occurs in rivers, lakes and reservoirs; feeds on a wide range of aquatic food.
General Channel Catfish profile →Sources & lake evidence
TPWD lake guide and reviewed fisheries evidence establish the listed species or group. Historical survey records do not establish current abundance.
Lake harvest rules ↗Eating guidance ↗Lake habitat & fishing guide ↗Fisheries survey · species evidence ↗Species identification ↗