Fishing for Flathead catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

The flathead catfish is a large, predatory freshwater fish known for its broad, flat head and smooth, scaleless skin. It primarily inhabits slow-moving rivers and lakes. Typically, it measures 24-46 inches and weighs 20-60 pounds. Its diet consists mainly of fish and invertebrates. Solitary and nocturnal, it is an ambush predator, often hiding in submerged structures. This summary is AI generated

Water type

Freshwater

IUCN Status

Least concern

Threat to humans

Harmless

Source: Fishbase

Best baits to catch Flathead catfish

According to catch data from over 15 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Flathead catfish.

Fishbrain
Stop guessing and start catching

Find out what lures to use, download the Fishbrain app!

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app

Biggest Flathead catfish catches

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

Recently caught Flathead catfish

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

Mississippi River (MN)

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

Yuma Main Canal

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

Horsley Lake

58 in · 100 lb

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

Lake Atkins

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

High Rock Lake

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Flathead catfish

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Most popular fish species near you