Fish ID
Channel Catfish
Bottom feeder found in nearly every Valley lake and slough. Best at night on cut bait.
Key ID marks
- Deeply forked tail
- Scattered small dark spots
- 8 barbels
Mouth ID
Wide mouth with 8 barbels (whiskers); sharp spines on pectoral and dorsal fins.
Typical size
2–10 lb
Best season
Best summer nights
Where
Delta, lowland reservoirs and rivers
Look-alikes
White catfish (rounded tail), bullhead (square tail).
Find it here
San Joaquin RiverClear LakeNew Melones LakeLake TullochDon Pedro ReservoirLake McClureLake McSwainModesto ReservoirWoodward ReservoirTurlock LakeCamanche ReservoirPardee ReservoirNew Hogan LakeLake AmadorFolsom LakeLake NatomaRollins LakeCollins LakeEnglebright LakeLake OrovilleLake BerryessaLake ChabotAnderson LakeCoyote LakeMillerton LakeBass Lake