Catfish
Blue · Channel · Flathead
Blue and channel: 50 combined daily, no more than 5 measuring 30 inches or longer; no minimum length. Flathead: 5 daily, minimum 18 inches. Blue/channel lake-specific possession limit is 50 combined.
Official lake regulations ↗
Habitat on Sam Rayburn
TPWD documents excellent year-round catfish fishing and extensive standing timber, channels and flooded cover.
Fishing approach
Look for structure and channels; fishing techniques vary by catfish species and conditions. TPWD does not publish a validated lake-wide bait ranking.
Lake fishing guide ↗Blue catfish OVER 30 inches: DO NOT EAT for women of childbearing age and children under 12; other adults up to 2 eight-ounce meals/month. Flathead catfish (all sizes): same protected groups DO NOT EAT; other adults up to 1 meal/month. Channel catfish is not listed.
Official consumption guidance ↗Species within this group
Blue Catfish
Harvest: Blue + channel: 50 combined per day, no more than 5 at 30 inches or longer; no minimum.
Eating guidance: Over 30 inches: protected groups DO NOT EAT; other adults 2 meals/month.
Blue catfish has a forked tail and is generally unspotted as an adult.
Channel Catfish
Harvest: Blue + channel: 50 combined per day, no more than 5 at 30 inches or longer; no minimum.
Eating guidance: Not listed in DSHS Advisory 51. That does not establish that the fish is safe to eat.
Channel catfish has a forked tail; young fish often have dark spots.
Flathead Catfish
Harvest: 5 daily; 18-inch minimum.
Eating guidance: All sizes: protected groups DO NOT EAT; other adults 1 meal/month.
Flathead catfish has a broad flattened head and a less deeply forked tail.
Individual lake profiles
Choose the species for its own identification, harvest rules and eating guidance on this lake.
Source & occurrence note
TPWD Sam Rayburn lake guide and historical water-body records. Records establish occurrence, not current abundance.