Native cavity-nesting catfish featuring a deeply forked tail and scattered dark body spots. Utilizes olfactory barbels to forage along current seams and gravel channel beds.
How we fish for them
Anchor 1-3oz bank sinkers with 3/0 circle hooks baited with cut menhaden, nightcrawlers, or chicken liver into C&D Canal eddy seams. A medium-heavy rod easily handles 8-15lb channel cats.
Rod: 7'0" medium-fast spinning rod Reel: 3000-size reel with 20lb Braid / 25lb Leader
Gear for this in the catalog →Handle with care
Sharp dorsal & pectoral fin spines (venom gland present in madtoms). Handle behind pectoral fins.
Seasons & limits are the law's, not ours
Size, season and creel rules change; always verify with the official regulations before you fish. Maryland DNR regulations →
Profile last reviewed: August 2026