• The family of North American catfishes (Ictaluridae) contains four groups (genera) that are encountered in freshwater by anglers.

Most anglers encounter species from the genus Ictalurus, of which, contains species such as the Channel Catfish (I. punctatus) and Blue Catfish (I. furcatus). The Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is also a large catfish sought by anglers.

Bullheads of the genus Ameiurus are not often targeted by sportfish anglers though still encountered, more often by commercial fishers. Madtoms (Noturus), the smallest members of the family, are usually only caught by microfishing and/or in nets and traps.

Much caution and dexterity is required to handle a catfish without harming oneself.

  • Venom, sharp spines, strong jaws, teeth, and powerful bodies may be encountered by a fisher if handling a catfish in North America.

We’ll first go over the features of these catfishes, then talk about ways to hold ‘em.

Disclaimer: Hold and process fish at your own risk. There is always potential risk of incurring harm to your body when fishing and handling fish, even if all precautions are followed.

(Click to enlarge). The pectoral spine above is of a fairly young Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis).

DO CATFISHES HAVE VENOM?

  • Yes. Most species of North American catfishes (Ictaluridae) do have venom that can be injected by the dorsal and/or pectoral spines.

  • The amount and potency of the venom will vary by species, life stage, and other variables.

The spines of catfishes are capable of binding in various positions as well as fully locking. These spines, and the associated venom, most likely evolved as anti-predator defense mechanisms.

Many spines are serrated (like a saw) to some degree (see the adjacent image), allowing additional destruction of a predator’s tissue that will also likely aid in increasing the effectiveness of an introduced venom. When a catfish’s spine pierces into a predator, a surrounding integument (protective layer) of the spine and around the venom gland cells are torn, allowing these toxic substances to release into the predator.

Adorable, yes. However, anybody will want to avoid getting pierced by the venomous spines of the Tadpole Madtom (Noturus gyrinus).

  • This venom, if injected into an angler’s hand, may cause severe pain and other adverse reactions.

Of course, there are many dependencies on the effectiveness of a venom, such as the amount of venom injected, the species of catfish supplying the toxins, the population that the fish comes from (location), the age of the fish, etc..

Esteemed ichthyologist Dr. Brooks Burr noted that certain individuals may be more susceptible to catfish venom and go into general anaphylactic shock, per his observations during fieldwork. This is comparable to how some people are more susceptible to the venomous sting of a bee than other people.

There is not, as far as I know, an account of a human dying from the sting of a catfish from Ictaluridae—however, there are scientific publications reporting on amputation of fingers because of a spine piercing an angler’s hand.

Whether venom is injected or not, an open wound caused by a fish spine can allow bacteria and other contaminates into the body, leading to infection and other issues in an angler’s hand. Hence why thoroughly cleaning any wound sustained would be practical as well as seeking proper medical attention; (this page is not offering medical advice.)

A medium-sized Channel Cat Koaw caught in small lake in S. Illinois.

PLAY IT SAFE:

  • Handle every catfish you encounter in North America as if that catfish will have venom in the spines.

    • The spines are dangerous with or without venom.

    • Minimal research exists on the potency and effects of catfish venom for Ictaluridae; essentially no research exists when injected into humans.

    • Not all species have been analyzed to give even a basic assessment.

    • Almost half of all catfish species worldwide are suspected of being venomous.

VENOM BY SPECIES

This is young adult Channel Catfish found by Koaw in Illinois. Although the venom is likely not going to be too harmful, the spines would still hurt.

Ictalurus: (CHANNEL CATFISH & BLUE CATFISH):

  • The Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) has been suggested to have rather innocuous venom (not too harmful) across multiple studies.

  • Less evidence is available pertaining to the Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), though there is a possibility that this species has fairly toxic venom; (one study that quantitatively analyzed this venom willfully omitted results showing high toxicity that may have been erroneous.)

Koaw holds a juvenile Flathead Catfish. Care is taken to insert the right pectoral spine between the fingers.

Pylodictis: (FLATHEAD CATFISH) The Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) has been suggested to be innocuous and non-toxic.

The spines can still do some significant damage if handled improperly.

Ameiurus: (BULLHEADS) - This genus contains what may be considered among the most venomous of larger-bodied North American catfishes where most exhibit at least a mild venom.

A Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) from N. Wisconsin. Koaw found this specimen in a river and avoided the spines so cannot speak to the venom being present or not.

BLACK BULLHEAD (Ameiurus melas) - The Black Bullhead may have fairly potent toxic venom relative to most North American catfishes (Ictaluridae), as was reported from a study reporting on Black Bullhead from Texas.

Interestingly enough, in another study, specimens examined from Michigan revealed loss of venom glands, therefore were considered non-venomous.

A Yellow Bullhead caught by Koaw in Virginia.

YELLOW BULLHEAD (Ameiurus natalis) - The Yellow Bullhead has been shown to contain both mild to slightly above mild venom, relative to other members of Ictaluridae.

I can personally attest to the potency of venom from Yellow Bullhead populations in Virginia near the Potomac River, as an injection from the spines into the hand begins with a sharp pain that throbs heavily for about 5 minutes and can still be felt to some extent throughout the day.

A Brown Bullhead caught by Koaw in S. Illinois. At this age, the serrations of the spines are fairly degraded, of which, are not exceptional serrae to begin with.

BROWN BULLHEAD (Ameiurus nebulosus) - The Brown Bullhead has been shown contain both mild to slightly above mild venom, relative to other members of Ictaluridae.

WHITE CATFISH (Ameiurus catus) - The White Catfish has been shown to have at least a mild venom.

SNAIL BULLHEAD (Ameiurus brunneus) - The Snail Bullhead has been shown in one study to be non-venomous as venom glands were not present.

FLAT BULLHEAD (Ameiurus platycephalus) - The Flat Bullhead has been suggested to have rather innocuous venom.

Venom investigations are too minimal and/or do not exist for Spotted Bullhead (Ameiurus serracanthus).

A Tadpole Madtom (Noturus gyrinus) in a tank. This specimen is 7.8 cm (3.1 in) in total length. The max size for a Tadpole Madtom is around ~13 cm (5 in).

Noturus: (MADTOMS) These smaller-bodied catfishes generally are considered to have the most venomous catfishes within North America freshwater systems. (Most freshwater anglers will not encounter these species unless microfishing and/or netting baitfish.)

VERY POTENT VENOM*: Tadpole Madtom (N. gyrinus), Northern Madtom (N. stigmosus), Carolina Madtom (N. furiosus), Brindled Madtom (N. miurus), & Slender Madtom** (N. exilis).

MODERATELY POTENT VENOM*: Stonecat (N. flavus), Black Madtom (N. funebris), Least Madtom (N. hildebrandi), & Freckled Madtom (N. nocturnus).

VERY MILD VENOM TO INNOCUOUS*: Ozark Madtom (N. albater) & Speckled Madtom (N. leptacephalus)

Not all madtom species are listed above.

*Relative to other Ictaluridae members and demonstrated in at least one laboratory study.
**Also shown to express mild to very mild venom in another study.

(Click to enlarge.) Madtom spines are small, yet still quite capable of piercing an angler’s hand if enough pressure is applied.

DO CATFISHES HAVE SPINES IN THE FINS?

Yes, there are very robust, often serrated spines in the fins of catfishes here in North America. The spines in the dorsal fin and pectoral fins contain a venom in most species of North American catfishes (Ictaluridae). (As was discussed above.)

Each species tends to have a different presentation of serrations on the spines or no serrations at all, as is seen in the adjacent image showing a rather smooth pectoral spine in a Tadpole Madtom.

Older specimens tend to have worn down serrations on the spines.

DO CATFISHES HAVE TEETH?

Yes, catfishes in North America will have teeth of varying types and most all of them have teeth on the jaws.

  • Expect that a North American catfish encountered by a freshwater angler will have teeth capable of cutting an angler’s hands if held improperly.

The most noticeable teeth are on tooth plates of the premaxilla and dentary (near the top-front and bottom-front of the mouth, respectively); the teeth are presented in rows and may be sharp, fairly long or short, and straight or curved backwards. Tooth presentation varies by species and even between populations and individuals within the same population.

Notice in the image above that the teeth on the two specimens are ‘aimed’ towards the back (tail-side) of the fish. This arrangement helps to keep food items in the mouth before being swallowed.

  • An angler should never apply downward pressure on the backward-facing teeth and pull their hand forward; this movement will shred the hand of an angler.

Click to enlarge.

DO CATFISHES HAVE SCALES?

No, the North American catfishes (Ictaluridae) do not have scales on the body. An angler does not need to worry about cutting themselves on the tough, slimy skin.

Gaining a good grip on the body can be difficult with these catfishes because of the slimy skin.

HOLDING METHODS FOR CATFISHES

Click to enlarge.

For all Holds of Catfishes - Ictaluridae

  • Wet hands/gloves and any surfaces the catfish may touch prior to handling the fish.

    • Especially moisten surfaces if planning to release the fish.

  • Avoid applying excessive pressure from any part of your body onto the tips and sides of the dorsal and pectoral spines.

    • An angler should consider catfish spines to be like miniature steak knives.

  • Avoid having hand/fingers in mouth with downward pressure against teeth and pulling hand out.

    • Most teeth are curved so that a hand pulled out against the direction of the teeth will be damaged.

  • Avoid lifting the fish far above the ground if not confident in your grips.

    • If dropped, a hard fall to the ground is not good for the fish, especially if landing on the head.

    • If possible, maintain a hold above water—especially if already planning to release the fish.

  • Gloves that have rubber completely covering the palm and fingers are highly recommended for any holds—especially holds involving sticking fingers inside the catfish’s mouth.

    • Avoid gloves that have any sort of threading, especially on the palm and fingers, as the spines and teeth of a catfish will get caught in the meshing.

We won’t be discussing techniques for hand fishing for large-bodies catfishes also known as hogging, noodling, grappling, and a few other names. (This fishing guide focuses on rod-and-reel fishing.)

How to Hold a Very Small Catfish

Click to enlarge.

With very small catfish, avoid the temptation to enclose your palm and fingers around the fish.

  • With very small catfish keep in mind that the spines may actually be sharper, simply because they are smaller with finer points.

Usually, the flat palm method works very well because:

  • The weight of the fish alone, even flopping around a little, won’t supply enough force to cause the spine to piece an angler’s hand.

  • The risk of squeezing the small fish too hard is minimized.

  • If an angler knows that they have delicate skin, avoid holding the catfish with the flat palm method.

    • Most anglers have fairly toughened hands, ergo this hold works well.

Again, only anglers confident that they have tough skin should use this method.

How to Hold a Small to Medium Catfish:

Behind the Pectoral Fins Method

The image shows one technique to hold a small to medium catfish.

FOR THE ABOVE METHOD:

  • The angler must be aware of the full extent of the dorsal spine.

    • The wrist/palm of the angler near the dorsal spine must never be in a position to be pierced/sliced by the dorsal spine should the fish struggle and the angler loses a grip.

How to Hold a Large Catfish:

Lipping and Belly Support Method

The following method is a conservative method (better for the fish) suited for larger-bodied catfish that an angler plans on releasing after catch. We’ll consider the size “LARGE” as up to what an angler would alone be able to lift.

Shows one method to hold a larger-bodied catfish.

FOR THE ABOVE METHOD:

  • The angler should only attempt to lift a larger-bodied catfish fully out-of-water if:

    • That angler is confident enough in their grips.

    • That angler has enough strength and dexterity.

  • Keeping the catfish in the water:

    • Is beneficial for you because the water is supporting a large amount of the weight while you gain grabs and dehook the fish.

    • Is beneficial for the fish for numerous reasons.

  • Have a helper:

    • Having a fishing partner to help dehook and hold a large fish is very beneficial.

  • Always mind the spines.

  • LARGER SPECIMENS require at least 2 people to properly handle.

Main venom references for this page: (J. Wright, 2012), (Birkhead, 1972), & (J. Wright, 2015). Full list of references here.

Note that the online version of this guide has adhered to a typical guidebook referencing format where references are not denoted in the text but rather in a full list in a separate section.