Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is a large North American catfish that lives in big rivers, reservoirs, and deep holes with cover. It is a nocturnal ambush predator that mainly eats live fish, making it a prized big-fish target.
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Identification points
- Broad, flattened head with a squared-off snout
- Lower jaw projects past the upper jaw; mouth is very wide
- Body is mottled yellow-brown to olive with a pale belly and little or no fork in the tail
Habitat
Large rivers, tailraces, reservoirs, and deep scour holes with submerged timber, root wads, undercut banks, rock cover, and low-current edges; often near the bottom in muddy to moderately clear freshwater.
Bait notes
Best on live bait: small bluegill/sunfish where legal, shad, suckers, creek chubs, and bullheads. Cut bait can work, but it usually shines less than lively, struggling fish; large soft-bodied lures or big jigs can also trigger bites.
Behavior
Mostly nocturnal and highly sedentary by day, flatheads hide in heavy cover and move to feed at night. They are live-fish specialists, often keying on sunfish, shad, bullheads, and other small fish, and may hold in one spot for long periods.
Caution
Sharp dorsal and pectoral spines can puncture hands; handle carefully. Check local regulations for live bait use and size/bag limits, and be aware that larger catfish can accumulate contaminants in some waters.
Fishing notes
Fish deep holes, logjams, bridge pilings, and current seams after dark. Use stout tackle, heavy line, and circle hooks or robust J-hooks; present live bait close to cover and let flatheads move off before setting hard.