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Channel Catfish Native

πŸ”¬ Ictalurus punctatus

Bottom feeder active at night. Stocked in many Michigan lakes.

1-5 lbs, 12-22 inches
Typical size
40 lbs
Michigan record
Summer
Best season
94
Listed lakes

πŸ›‘ Conservation Status

Native Stocked widely across Michigan. Numbers are strong in managed lakes and rivers.

🌿 Habitat & Behavior

Stocked in many Michigan lakes and slow-moving rivers. Bottom dweller preferring soft mud or sand.

🎣 Best Techniques

Chicken liver, stink bait, night crawlers on bottom

🌊 Where to Catch in Michigan

Lake County Population Notes
40th Street Pond St. Clair Good β€”
Alma Impoundment Gratiot Good β€”
Au Sable River Iosco Good β€”
Austin Lake Kalamazoo Good β€”
Bad River Saginaw Good β€”
Belleville Lake Wayne Good β€”
C. S. Mott Lake Genesee Good β€”
Cass Lake
1,280 acres
Oakland Good β€”
Cass River Saginaw Good β€”
Cass River Tuscola Good β€”
Chippewa River Midland Good β€”
Croton Pond
1,605 acres
Newaygo Good β€”
Detroit River Wayne Good β€”
Flint River Genesee Good β€”
Ford Lake Washtenaw Good β€”
Geddes Pond Washtenaw Good β€”
Grand River Clinton Good β€”
Grand River Ionia Good β€”
Grand River Kent Good β€”
Grand River Ottawa Good β€”

πŸ“¦ DNR Stocking History

Total stocked: 1,803,237
Stocking events: 391
Peak year: 1988 (222,866)

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πŸ“‹ Quick Facts