The native scale-less catfish of Mid-Atlantic estuaries, featuring a broad rounded head, bluish-grey back, white belly, and moderately forked tail. Prefers brackish river mouths and estuarine channels.
Season
April – September
Where
Chester River, Choptank River, Upper Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent
Salinity band
Inland Freshwater (0 - 3 ppt)
Status
Established Inland Freshwater Species
Record
MD Record: 19 lbs 2 oz
How we fish for them
Anchor cut alewife, peeler crab, or fresh clam on 2/0 circle hooks in 15-25ft brackish channel edges.
Rod: 7'0" medium spinning rod Reel: 3000-size reel • 20lb Braid + 20lb 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