Flathead catfish in Florida
flathead catfish rules, records and best waters.
- 69.9 lbrecord
Photo: USFWSmidwest, Public domain
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Florida Flathead catfish basics
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is managed by FWC as a freshwater species. FWC’s Big Catch program recognizes flathead catfish from 36 inches or 25 lbs. The Florida record flathead catfish weighed 69.9 pounds (Yellow River, 2020).
The flathead catfish profile
Habitat of flathead catfish
“Flathead are found in the Apalachicola and Escambia rivers, where they recently arrived from Georgia and Alabama.”
“Flatheads prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately-turbid rivers.”
What flathead catfish eat
“Spawning occurs in late spring.”
“One or both parents excavate the nest that is usually made in a natural cavity or near a large submerged object.”
“Females lay a golden-yellow mass of up to 100,000 eggs.”
“The nest is guarded and the eggs are agitated by the male to keep them clean and aerated.”
“They feed on other fish, especially catfish and sunfish.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida flathead catfish limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | see rule | none | Open year round |
Catfish are not listed as freshwater game fish (FWC game fish list: black bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, flier, mud sunfish, longear sunfish, shadow bass, peacock bass, white bass, striped bass and sunshine bass). FWC: "Other fishes considered to be nongame fishes have no bag or possession limits, except as noted in individual Fish Management Area regulations." Many FMAs set a channel catfish bag of 6.
FWC freshwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record flathead catfish
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater | 69.9 | Yellow River | 2020 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Other Florida freshwater fish
flathead catfish questions and answers
What is the daily limit for flathead catfish in Florida?
see rule (Statewide), size: none.
Who holds the Florida flathead catfish record?
The record weighed 69.9 pounds (2020).
Where should I fish for flathead catfish?
Use the bay and county lists above to find flathead catfish.
Where does FWC stock flathead catfish?
Not in the 2021-22 to 2023-24 reports for flathead catfish.
How big must a flathead catfish be for a Big Catch?
36 inches or 25 lbs.
What is the scientific name of flathead catfish?
Pylodictis olivaris.
Is a license required for flathead catfish?
A freshwater license, required from age 16 unless exempt.
When can I keep flathead catfish?
flathead catfish are open all year.
How current is the flathead catfish information?
FWC data, checked October 2026.