Tadpole Madtom

Noturus gyrinus

The Tadpole Madtom is a small North American catfish with a stout, tadpole-like body and a short tail. It’s usually nocturnal and secretive, living on soft bottoms in slow waters where it picks off insects, worms, and other tiny invertebrates.

Freshwater

Tadpole Madtom reference image — Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Short, stout body with a very large, broad head and a blunt tail
Dark mottling or mottled brown body with a pale belly
Very small adult size, usually only a few inches long

Habitat

Shallow, slow-moving freshwater streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and backwaters with mud, silt, sand, or organic debris; often near vegetation, under banks, or around cover in warm, quiet water.

Bait notes

Small worms, bloodworms, insect larvae, and tiny pieces of nightcrawler work well. Small soft plastics or micro jigs fished on the bottom can take them, but they are not a major game species.

Behavior

Mostly nocturnal and bottom-dwelling; it forages by smell and touch for insect larvae, worms, and small crustaceans. It hides during the day under cover and may be sluggish unless disturbed.

Caution

The dorsal and pectoral spines have sharp, mildly venomous tissue typical of madtoms; handle carefully. Small size makes it a minor angling target, and local regulations may restrict harvest in some waters.

Fishing notes

Fish near bottom in still or slow water with light line and a small hook or tiny jig. A sinker to keep bait in soft muck or along weed edges helps; night fishing often improves catches.