Freshwater species guide

Catfish Fishing

Channel catfish are found throughout Florida and spawn in holes and crevices. They feed mostly on the bottom, on insects, crayfish, molluscs, crustaceans and fish, and FWC stocks 200,000 to 300,000 of them in public waters each year.

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Catfish

Every charter here names catfish on its own website, checked on the captain's own site

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Seasons and limits are set state by state. The ones on this page are Florida's, copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and listed with their source at the foot of the page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the rule for the water you will fish with your captain or with that state's wildlife agency.

Where to fish for catfish

105 charters name catfish on their own website, across 77 towns in 2 states.

About the fish

SizeFlorida record 44.50 pounds
Where it livesThroughout Florida. Spawn in holes and crevices
What it eatsInsects, crayfish, molluscs and fish

FWC says males darken during spawning season and grow a thickened pad on the head.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • FWC does not list catfish as a freshwater game fish, and it states that nongame fishes have no bag or possession limits except where a Fish Management Area rule says otherwise.
  • Outside Fish Management Areas, FWC sets no bag or possession limit on nongame fish such as catfish. Each Fish Management Area has its own restrictions.

Harvest rules

When can you keep one in Florida?

Seasons and limits are set state by state, and these are Florida's. Catfish is caught by charters in 2 states on this page; ask your captain which rules apply where you are fishing.

Statewide

Florida fresh waters outside the Fish Management Area lakes.

  • All anglersNo closed seasonFWC describes Florida's freshwater fisheries as having no closed seasons.
No length limit listed by FWCSize limit
No bag or possession limitDaily limit. FWC's wording: nongame fishes have no bag or possession limits, except as noted in individual Fish Management Area regulations. Catfish are not on FWC's game fish list.

Fish Management Area lakes

About 80 water bodies managed by FWC, each with its own restrictions.

  • All anglersSome lakes are closed to fishing or open only on set days or hours, and any may be closed temporarily.FWC may close these lakes temporarily for management work or unsafe conditions.
Only Shadow Bay Park in Orange County lists one: channel catfish under 30 inches must be released immediately.Size limit
Varies by lakeDaily limit. Many list a channel catfish limit of 6, some list none, and Shadow Bay Park allows 1. Check the rule for the lake you are fishing.

Gear rules

As a nongame fish, catfish may be taken on pole and line or rod and reel, and for personal use by bush hook, setline or trotline (25 hooks total) where trotlines are lawful, marked with the harvester's name and address. Trotlines and setlines are not allowed on Fish Management Areas unless that area's rule allows them.

Questions about catfish

Is there a limit on catfish in Florida?

Only on some waters. FWC states that nongame fishes have no bag or possession limits except as noted in individual Fish Management Area regulations, and catfish are not on FWC's list of freshwater game fish.

Do I still need a licence?

Usually. FWC says a license is required to attempt to take fish, including catch and release, but some people are exempt, such as youth under 16 and Florida residents 65 or older.

Can I use a trotline?

For personal use, nongame fish may be taken by bush hook, setline or trotline (25 hooks total) where trotlines may lawfully be used, marked with your name and address. They are not allowed on Fish Management Areas unless that area's rule allows them.

Are community lakes different?

They can be. Most community fishing lakes are Fish Management Areas, where many list a channel catfish limit of 6, some list no limit, and Shadow Bay Park in Orange County allows 1, with fish under 30 inches released.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, statewide bag and length limits and FWC, methods of taking freshwater fish and FWC, fish management areas and FWC, channel catfish profile and FWC, do I need a licence and FWC, freshwater fishing in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.