• Characteristics - dark to olive brown with dark brownish mottlings on sides; anal fin is very short and tail fin is square or slightly notched; head broad and flat
• Distribution - throughout the border rivers and large interior streams
• Foods - variety of aquatic animals, larger individuals eat mostly fish; larger flatheads may be over 20 inches in length
• State Record - 81 pounds - Lake Ellis, Lucas County, June 1958 - Joe Baze, Chariton, Iowa
• Expert's Tip - try fishing with small sunfish under cut banks after dark and don't forget to use strong hooks!

For more flathead catfish information, see our printable pdf (150K) or Iowa Fish & Fishing.