White catfish across North Carolina
Limits, records and where to find white catfish.
- 10 a daydaily creel
- 13 lbsrecord
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.5
white catfish across North Carolina
White catfish (Ameiurus catus) is a freshwater species in North Carolina. Under NCWRC rules (all inland and joint fishing waters (hook and line)), the creel is 10 a day and the size rule is no size limit.
A 13 lbs fish from Lake James in 1990 holds the state record. This site links it to 3 lakes and 0 streams. The 2026 plan calls for 4,500.
NCWRC, per white catfish
“A member of the bullhead group of catfishes, the white catfish is usually blue-gray above, fading to gray on sides with a white belly. It has a moderately forked tail with rounded ends, and its upper jaw extends slightly beyond the lower. The white catfish is sometimes mistaken for the channel catfish, but the white catfish has a much wider head and lacks black spots on its sides.”
“White catfish are native to rivers and streams that flow to the Atlantic Ocean. They can also be found in the French Broad and Pigeon rivers, although they may have been stocked in these Tennessee River tributaries. While quite common, white catfish are often overlooked. This may be in part to their small size compared to flathead, blue and channel catfish. However, these fish are aggressive feeders and have a tendency to feed more during the daytime than other catfish.”
- Fishing tipsWhite catfish make excellent table fare, and anglers can catch them using many of the same methods for other catfish. Worms, minnows, scented baits and hellgrammites fished on or near the bottom work well.
- Where to fishWhite catfish can be found in lakes and rivers in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. In the Piedmont, the impoundments on the Yadkin and Catawba rivers are popular places to fish, while the Tar, Roanoke and Chowan rivers have good numbers in the Coastal Plain.
- AbundanceCommon in lakes and rivers in the Piedmont and Coastal regions of NC.
Quoted from the NCWRC species profile, checked October 2026.
North Carolina harvest rules for white catfish
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | All inland and joint fishing waters (hook and line) | 10 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
white catfish in the state record book
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line by weight | 13 lbs | Lake James | 1990 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Waters tied to white catfish
white catfish lakes
- Lake James6,510 acres
- Rhodes Pond120 acres
- Lake RimCumberland
NCWRC stocking lists, regulation tables, species profiles and records; largest waters first.
More white catfish neighbors
- 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
A look around White catfish
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick facts on white catfish
What daily limit applies to white catfish?
10 a day (All inland and joint fishing waters (hook and line)), size no size limit.
Does North Carolina keep a record for white catfish?
13 lbs from Lake James (1990).
Where do North Carolina anglers find white catfish?
3 waters on this site, including Lake James, Rhodes Pond and Lake Rim.
Are white catfish stocked in North Carolina?
4,500 on the 2026 warmwater list.
How do I recognize white catfish?
Scientific name Ameiurus catus.
In which months may I keep white catfish?
No closed season
Do I need a CRFL for white catfish?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Which captains run trips for white catfish?
No operator names it; try the guides page.
Hunt for white catfish
Every water named here has a page with ramps and limits.