White catfish live in the waters of the U.S. and Mexico. These bottom-feeding fish can be caught by drift fishing, spin casting, and still fishing. They are said to be rather tasty and are not that difficult to catch.
Habitat: Lake, Pond, River
How to identify White Catfish
White catfish are one of the smallest catfish. They have a distinctive forked tail, while the tails of other catfish vary in shape. Although they are called “white,” they are actually more of a silver/blue color with a white abdomen. The body of the white catfish may also have dark markings, unless it is a spawning male or an older fish. This fish can be identified by counting the anal fin’s rays. It has 19-23 rays in total. Channel catfish, on the other hand, have 24-30 rays and a round anal fin. Blue catfish have 30-36 rays and straight anal fins.
Where to catch White Catfish
White catfish are one of four catfish species in the U.S./Mexico. These catfish are native to the eastern seaboard in the U.S. and are found from Florida up to New York. Anglers have introduced these fish to areas from the southern tiers over to the west coast.
The following are habitats where you can catch White Catfish:
- Current Edges
- Dams and Falls
- Drop-offs
- Freshwater Lakes and Ponds
- Gradual Shores
- Riparian Zones
- Rivers and Streams
- Rock and Boulder Pockets
- Undercut Banks
How to catch White Catfish
Anglers consider the white catfish to be a good catch. Many private ponds and lakes are stocked with these fish. White catfish are excellent food fare because of their firm, white meat. They are relatively easy to catch by using live bait. They tend to be more active during the day than other catfish species. Most anglers target these fish through bait casting. Since they are bottom feeders, bottom fishing is also a good option. Anglers should use a sinker to help get the bait to the bottom where these fish tend to swim and search for food.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching White Catfish:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch White Catfish
The best option for catching white catfish is bait. In particular, live worms and shrimp generally work well. Chicken liver is said to be another favorite of this fish.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch White Catfish:
