Pylodictis olivaris
A solitary ambush predator that eats live fish almost exclusively. Flatheads live in the nastiest wood cover in the river and come out at night — the big-game hunt of catfishing.
Live bait, heavy tackle, big wood, after dark. Flatheads don't scavenge — a lively bluegill struggling next to a log jam at midnight is the whole playbook.
Guide data is editorial and general — conditions, regulations, and fish behavior vary by water. Photo: Wikipedia — Flathead catfish.
Use these field marks and context clues to separate flathead catfish from similar fish before logging or keeping one.
Match a rig to Flathead Catfish with the Setup Builder, or browse all setups.
Hold on spot-lock at the hole's edge; fight fish hard away from timber.
Doable but sporty — a 30 lb flathead tows a kayak. Use heavy anchor discipline near wood.
Very shore-friendly: pick one good jam, set two rods, and commit the night to it.
Warm rivers and reservoirs of the Midwest and South; introduced (and invasive) in some Atlantic drainages.
Flatheads have a flattened head, underbite, mottled yellow-brown color, and a rounded (not forked) tail.
Size limits, bag limits, seasons, and gear rules change every year and differ by state (and often by individual water). Always verify with the official source before keeping fish.
