Ictalurus punctatus, some home turf

[L number Banana]

Hello again from Canada.
Took a little trip up north towards Ottawa to the border of Quebec for some no-fun family business but with lemons, make lemonade so here a couple pics of where the locals catch "Channel Cats". I had no computer with me so I can only guess that they are

Ictalurus punctatus

. The verbal description sounded right and they're 'Good on the BBQ' according to the locals. Very light white flesh and not 'fishy-tasting' at all. Fight like the devil though and females are thrown back. How do they know if it's a female?, I asked like an idiot..."because they're fat - no one keeps the fat ones..."
No one had a clue about Madtoms, they were sure I was talking about gobies.

It's the river here, Zoom in, I was right on the bridge over the river: http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=plantagene ... CAwQ8gEwAA

There's no off season and the daily limit according to the Ministry of Natural Resources is 12 per day for anglers and 6 per day for a conservation license holder. American Eel is located here as well and is completely restricted to catch anytime - ever

This is how far I was into the 'boonies':

Here's the fast moving side of the river. The rocks in the forground are and island in the middle of the channel made by what was left of the old bridge pillons and some trapped rocks. Photo was taken from the 'fishing bridge.'

Here's the much calmer North West side, filled to the brim with Canada Geese at the point where the current slows:

Never saw one of the catfish myself but now I know where they are - and where the experts are, I can visit it again when I'm there in three weeks. I'll bring Madtom pics and all forms of 'channel cat' pics. And a camera just in case.

Cheers!

[bronzefry]

I'd say you've been bit by the bug.
Amanda

[L number Banana]

I'd say you've been bit by the bug.
Amanda

I can't go by water anymore without wondering who lives there...
It's a nice healthy addiction I suppose.

[Bas Pels]

I know the feeling

But then, there are always swimmingpool where you can enjoy without worries

[hydrophyte]

I am surprised that these occur that far up north.

Last summer I found a good hole for channel cats and I hooked several big ones. The largest was 10 lbs.. "Fight like the devil" is right--they can really pull long and hard.

[L number Banana]

I am surprised that these occur that far up north.

So was I but I guess the population is healthy because the fishing is allowed year round. I'm now curious what they do in the winter. Spots like the one above don't freeze solid all the way down. The current is too strong. I'll need to have a chat with some ice fishers to see if they catch them too. I've got my buddies at work ready to take pics if they catch any by mistake.

Are they tasty? I'm too chicken to try one but I suppose if we value a resource, it will be better protected.

[hydrophyte]

Channel cat is delicious. It is a little bland, so it's best with lots of lemon and spices. If you get a big one it will give you a couple if thick fillets.

[MatsP]

Channel cat is delicious. It is a little bland, so it's best with lots of lemon and spices. If you get a big one it will give you a couple if thick fillets.

Or blackened... ;) [pan-fried with LOTS of spices, both herbs and stuff like cumin and chili]

--
Mats

[L number Banana]

Hmm, so I'm going to try some but when I looked at the selection, I can see that the "catfish" is "Wild Caught, Canadian" and has a sustainable blah-blah with it but no one could tell me if they are

Ictalurus punctatus

,

Ameiurus natalis

,

Pylodictis olivaris

or

Ameiurus nebulosus

. From the East Coast,

Ameiurus catus

? Is one of these fish 'the standard' common catfish for food?

Again, I need to make friends with more fishers.

[Birger]

Is one of these fish 'the standard' common catfish for food?

I would say that

Ictalurus punctatus

is the catfish most used as a commercial food fish, in North America.

Birger

[apistomaster]

Channel Cats to 10 lbs are common in the Snake River in the PNW States but few are caught during the winter.
Most people use large "Night Crawler" earth worms as bait.