Flathead Catfish in Indiana
Bag, record and water pages for Indiana flathead catfish.
- no bag limitbag
- 79 lb. 8 oz.record
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flathead catfish in the Hoosier State
For flathead catfish, the Hoosier statewide chart uses the row "Catfish: Channel, Blue, Flathead (in rivers and streams)". Daily bag in the guide: Unlimited. Minimum length as printed: 13 inches; not more than one blue catfish that’s at least 35 inches, one flathead catfish at least 35 inches, and one channel catfish at least 28 inches or longer may be kept.
Indiana's record flathead catfish weighed 79 lb. 8 oz., taken at White River in 1966. 6 Indiana lake and stream pages here carry it; Monroe Lake, Cagles Mill Lake and Dogwood Lake lead.
Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), Ictaluridae (North American catfishes).
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| Where | Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| statewide | Catfish: Channel, Blue, Flathead (in rivers and streams) | Unlimited | 13 inches; not more than one blue catfish that’s at least 35 inches, one flathead catfish at least 35 inches, and one channel catfish at least 28 inches or longer may be kept |
| statewide | Catfish: Channel, Blue, Flathead (in lakes) | 10 | None; not more than one blue catfish that’s at least 35 inches, one flathead catfish at least 35 inches, and one channel catfish at least 28 inches or longer may be kept |
| Ohio River main stem | Flathead Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 35 inches or longer |
Statewide limits as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
flathead catfish off the dunes and along the Kentucky line
| Water | Row as printed | Daily | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio River | Flathead Catfish | Unlimited | 13 inches; no more than one may be 35 inches or longer |
Lake Michigan and Ohio River rows as printed, 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (eRegulations, linked from the Indiana DNR), read November 5, 2026.
Where the Indiana flathead catfish record came from
| Weight as printed | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79 lb. 8 oz. | White River | Lawrence County | 1966 |
Indiana DNR Indiana Record Fish Program list (keeper: Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (Indiana Record Fish Program); angler names left off here), read November 5, 2026.
Indiana lakes and streams where the DNR names flathead catfish
- Monroe Lake10,750 acres, Monroe County
- Cagles Mill Lake1,400 acres, Owen County
- Dogwood Lake1,235 acres (NHD outline area), Daviess County
- Lake Iola8 acres (NHD outline area), Scott County
- White RiverDaviess County
- Saint Joseph River (Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties)Elkhart County
Indiana DNR public lakes layer (county, owner, fisheries district number, location text), read November 5, 2026.
More fish near flathead catfish on the family tree
- Black Bullheadno bag limit
- Blue Catfishno bag limit
- Brown Bullheadno bag limit
- Channel Catfishno bag limit
- White Catfishno statewide row
- Yellow Bullheadno bag limit
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Lakes and stream bends close to Flathead Catfish, in pictures
Photo: Kyle Hartshorn, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: bob, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0
Questions about Indiana flathead catfish
Is there a daily cap on Indiana flathead catfish?
Per the guide, Unlimited; length rule: 13 inches; not more than one blue catfish that’s at least 35 inches, one flathead catfish at least 35 inches, and one channel catfish at least 28 inches or long.
Where was the Indiana flathead catfish record caught?
The DNR lists 79 lb. 8 oz. (White River, 1966).
Which Indiana lakes list flathead catfish?
Begin with Monroe Lake, Cagles Mill Lake and Dogwood Lake; 6 Hoosier pages list it.
Do any Indiana waters set their own flathead catfish rule?
The special waters list leaves it alone.
Is flathead catfish on the DNR stocking dashboard?
The dashboard lists it, most recently in 2004.
Which DNR license lets me keep flathead catfish?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Indiana fishing license ($23 a year for residents, $60 for nonresidents).
What family holds flathead catfish on the DNR fish list?
Pylodictis olivaris; family Ictaluridae (North American catfishes), on the DNR Fishes of Indiana list.
Is a license needed for flathead catfish on a free day?
The Indiana DNR set Free Fishing Days for May 10, June 6-7, and Sept. 26, 2026, for Indiana residents (no license or trout/salmon stamp needed; all other rules apply). Every other rule still applies.
Line up a day on Indiana flathead catfish
Start from a water above for its DNR launches.