FLATHEAD CATFISH

Flathead Catfish Image

As the name implies, this catfish has a broad, flat head with a jutting lower jaw. Also called the calico cat, the flathead is mottled brown to nearly yellow in color. Strictly predatory, the flathead is caught with live bait and occasionally lures, usually at night. The Kansas state record is also the world record. It was caught in 1998 from Elk City Reservoir and weighed 123 pounds.

Regulations
115-18-08 (PDF - 9.48 kB)

Retrieval and possession of game animals and migratory game birds - Requirements

115-17-02 (PDF - 113.59 kB)

Commercial Sale of Fish Bait

Fishing Forecast Information

View Fishing Forecast definitions

 

Lakes

NAME Density Preferred Lunker Big fish Bio rating
FLATHEAD CATFISH          
  (>20") (>28") (>34") (lbs.) BR
CLARK SFL 17.14 5.71 2.86 40.75 F
WILSON SFL 12.76 7.81 3.97 57.27 G
WELLINGTON CITY LAKE 12.67 4.57 3.24 53.00 F
LAKE AFTON 10.19 9.07 5.74 55.33 G
LEAVENWORTH SFL 6.11 2.36 0.83 31.94 G
CRAWFORD SFL 5.08 1.13 0.00 16.92 G
MONTGOMERY SFL 4.48 3.11 0.93 44.05 F
OTTAWA SFL 4.47 4.47 4.47 49.36 F
HOWARD-POLK DANIELS LAKE 3.13 1.04 0.00 10.08 G
GEARY SFL 3.06 1.25 0.56 30.02 F
NEOSHO SFL 2.14 0.31 0.00 21.98 F
MIDDLE CREEK SFL 1.81 0.97 0.28 39.65 F

Reservoirs

NAME Density Preferred Lunker Big fish Bio rating
FLATHEAD CATFISH          
  (>20") (>28") (>34") (lbs.) BR
SEBELIUS 39.62 33.92 27.44 54.65 G
LOVEWELL 31.65 22.93 14.12 56.83 G
KIRWIN 22.99 3.36 2.35 37.09 G
GLEN ELDER 22.15 8.37 4.65 65.29 G
WILSON 18.01 10.80 3.19 46.26 G
WEBSTER 14.41 3.68 1.06 25.33 G
KANOPOLIS 6.88 2.79 0.00 18.00 F
CHENEY 6.08 4.78 2.44 66.74 F
TORONTO 5.88 1.61 0.40 41.59 G
FALL RIVER 3.67 1.41 0.57 32.62 G
CLINTON 0.28 0.19 0.19 66.08 F