Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
For channel and blue catfish, their hybrids and subspecies, 25 (in any combination - 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 Murvaul
Timber, vegetation, creek channels, docks, riprap and installed PVC cubes provide cover.
Fishing approach
Lake guide guidance: Bass move from winter channels toward spring flats; low-light topwater can work in warm months. Minnows and jigs suit crappie near Jones Branch and the FM 1971 channel.
Fishing guidance describes documented approaches, not a promise of fish activity today.
No active lake-specific advisory or possession ban was named in the reviewed DSHS directory. This does not guarantee that fish are safe to eat.
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 ↗