Fish of the Columbia River
Channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatusAdult length usually ranges from 11 to 30 inches (27.9 to 76.2 cm) and 12 ounces to 15 pounds 90.3 kg to 6.8 kg), although a large channel catfish may reach 36 inches and 25 pounds (91.4 cm and 11.3 kg). The channel catfish has 'whiskers' known as barbels, a dark dorsal surface, and a whitish belly. The channel catfish also has a deeply forked tail, which distinguishes it from other species of catfish.
Food
Adult channel catfish come into shallow water at night to feed, but return to deep holes or shelters during daylight. The feed by sight and by taste, using the barbels. They feed primarily on aquatic insects when young and primarily on fish when older and larger.
Channel catfish prefer fairly deep waters with a gently sloping bottom of sand, gravel, or boulders, or even silt as long as it accumulates slowly. They are not usually found in dense aquatic vegetation. In streams, channel catfish are usually found in moderate to swift current and thrive in water temperatures above 70ºF. The adults are highly migratory and ascend small streams to spawn. Yearlings and subadults are much more tolerant of swift currents than adults.
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