Flathead catfish across Minnesota
Where flathead catfish live in Minnesota, with limits.
- 2 (only 1 over 24")limit
- 70 lb 0 ozrecord
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flathead catfish in the state
In DNR terms, Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is part of the catfish family. Limit (inland waters (statewide)): 2 (only 1 over 24″); season April 1 – Nov. 30, 2026.
A 70 lb 0 oz fish from St. Croix River in an unlisted year holds the record. 6 lakes carry it on their DNR survey list, 7 with pages on this site. The highest gill net catch rate on a lake with a page here is 0.18 per net at St. Croix River.
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“Minnesota has two catfish species – channel and flathead – and three bullhead species – black, brown, and yellow. These fish are found throughout the state but are most prevalent in warm, fertile rivers and lakes in western and southern Minnesota. The Red, Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix rivers all are known for their excellent catfishing.”
“To tell a channel catfish from the flathead, look at the lower jaw and the tail. The flathead has a slightly protruding lower jaw, like an under-bite. And its tail is square, where the channel's is forked.”
“All catfish and bullheads have a sharp spine at the leading edges of the dorsal (top) fin and two pectoral (side) fins. These spines, not the fish's whiskers (called barbels) are what "sting" careless anglers. When the fish is alarmed, it raises and locks its spike fins into an upright position. The pain comes from when a person accidentally pokes himself on the spine, not from any poison released by the fish. Once you learn where the spines are located, catfish and bullheads areas safe to hold as any fish.”
- Flathead catfish: square tail.identification
- Minnesota has two catfish species – channel and flathead – and three bullhead species – black, brown, and yellow.identification
- These fish are found throughout the state but are most prevalent in warm, fertile rivers and lakes in western and southern Minnesota.habitat
- The flathead nests in cavities such as hollow logs, rootwads or log jams in quiet water.habitat
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
Minnesota limits for flathead catfish
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | 2 (only 1 over 24") | April 1 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Inland waters | 2 (only 1 over 24") | Nov. 15 – Nov. 30, 2026 except where prohibited |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Record flathead catfish from Minnesota
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| non certified weight | 70 lb 0 oz | St. Croix River | Washington |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Lakes where DNR gill nets caught the most flathead catfish
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River | 0.18 | 3.21 | 2024 | |
| Lake Pepin | 0.17 | 4.8 | 2024 | |
| Lake Byllesby | 0.11 | 0.57 | 2019 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Waters holding flathead catfish
Lakes for flathead catfish
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Spring Lake, Dakota County1,494 acres
- Lake Byllesby1,368 acres
- Mississippi River Pool 1471 acres
- St. Anthony Falls Pool317 acres
- Lake Goodview77 acres
Creeks for flathead catfish
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
More fish near flathead catfish on the list
- Channel catfishcatfish family
- Black bullheadcatfish family
- Brown bullheadcatfish family
- Yellow bullheadcatfish family
Lakes and rivers near Flathead catfish in photos
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain
Photo: Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jimmy Dreger, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Wikideas1, CC BY-SA 4.0
flathead catfish questions with short answers
What is the daily Minnesota limit for flathead catfish?
2 (only 1 over 24") (Inland waters (statewide)), season April 1 – Nov. 30, 2026.
How heavy is the record flathead catfish?
70 lb 0 oz from St. Croix River (year unlisted).
Which lakes are best for flathead catfish?
St. Croix River leads the DNR gill net catch at 0.18 per net; 8 waters on this site list it.
Are flathead catfish stocked in Minnesota?
No DNR stocking row covers it.
How can I tell a flathead catfish when I land one?
Flathead catfish: square tail.
When is flathead catfish season in Minnesota?
April 1 – Nov. 30, 2026
What does a license for flathead catfish cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Do outfitters target flathead catfish?
No listing names it.
Go fishing for flathead catfish
Open a lake above for accesses and limits.