Flathead catfish across North Carolina
Finding and keeping flathead catfish, by North Carolina rules.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 78 lbs, 14 ozrecord
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: USFWSmidwest, Public domain
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Where flathead catfish fit in North Carolina
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) lives in North Carolina’s freshwater habitat. NCWRC sets a creel of no creel limit with no size limit where inland and joint fishing waters (ncwrc, hook and line).
The state record is 78 lbs, 14 oz, taken at Neuse River in 2020.
How NCWRC describes flathead catfish
“The flathead catfish has a broad, flat head, with a lower jaw protruding beyond the upper jaw. Its back and sides are brown to yellow, with black-to olive-brown mottling, fading to a dirty white or yellow belly. Inside the mouth on the upper jaw, it has a large tooth plate with backward extensions on each end.”
“Flathead catfish are native to the river basins of the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Mississippi River Basin. Although native to the New River and several other river basins in North Carolina, they have been introduced to many river basins that flow to the Atlantic Ocean, such as the Neuse, Yadkin and Cape Fear. They are most common in large rivers and lakes where they often inhabit deep, slow stretches near submerged logs, brush, rip rap and underwater piles of debris.”
- Fishing tipsLive fish, such as shad, panfish and bullhead catfish, are the preferred baits for large flathead catfish. Crawfish are reported to work as well. Flathead catfish are rarely caught with chicken livers and stinkbaits, although these work well for most other catfish species.
- Where to fishMany of the most popular places to fish for flatheads in North Carolina are outside of their native range, such as the Cape Fear River and impoundments of the Yadkin River.
- AbundanceCommon in the Cape Fear River and impoundments of the Yadkin River.
Quoted from the NCWRC species profile, checked October 2026.
Creel limits for flathead catfish
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line) | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
North Carolina record flathead catfish
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line by weight | 78 lbs, 14 oz | Neuse River | 2020 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species that pair with flathead catfish
- Largemouth bassfresh
- Smallmouth bassfresh
- Spotted bassfresh
- Alabama bassfresh
- Bartram's bassfresh
- Black crappiefresh
- White crappiefresh
- Bluegillfresh
- Redear sunfishfresh
- Redbreast sunfishfresh
- Pumpkinseedfresh
- Green sunfishfresh
- Warmouthfresh
- Flierfresh
Places to fish near Flathead catfish, pictured
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain
Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer), CC BY 4.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Worth knowing about flathead catfish
Which rules govern keeping flathead catfish?
no creel limit (Inland and joint fishing waters (NCWRC, hook and line)), size no size limit.
Which water gave up the record flathead catfish?
78 lbs, 14 oz from Neuse River (2020).
Which waters produce flathead catfish?
Many of the most popular places to fish for flatheads in North Carolina are outside of their native range, such as the Cape Fear River and impoundments of the Yadkin River.
Does NCWRC stock flathead catfish?
Not on this year’s list.
How do I tell flathead catfish apart?
Scientific name Pylodictis olivaris.
Can flathead catfish be kept this month?
No closed season
What license do flathead catfish anglers buy?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Which captains list flathead catfish?
None list it by name; see the guides page.
Seek out flathead catfish
Pick a water from the lists on this page.