A Review of the Biology and Management of Blue Catfish

—Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus are a big river species, native to major rivers of the Mississippi River basin and Gulf Coast streams of the central and southern United States, south into Mexico, northern Guatemala, and Belize. Blue catfish are native in 20 states and have been introduced into nine others, mostly along the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific slopes. Blue catfish are largest of the ictalurid catfishes, sometimes exceeding 45 kg and 165 cm, and can live over 20 years. Numbers in their native range have been greatly reduced because of alteration of riverine habitats, particularly on the periphery of their range. Blue catfish are migratory and prefer open waters of large reservoirs and main channels, backwaters, and flowing rivers with strong current where water is normally turbid. This species occurs over substrate varying from gravel/sand to silt/mud. Blue catfish are opportunistic omnivores but adults eat a variety of animal life, including fish. Sexual maturity is usually attained at 4–7 years, and rapid growth is exhibited throughout life. Estimates of total annual mortality range from 12 to 63%. Blue catfish are presently not popular with aquaculturists, but hybrids developed with channel catfish I. punctatus are often used in fee-fishing lakes because of their rapid growth and aggressive disposition. Blue catfish support sport fisheries in seven states, whereas 14 additional states reported that they support both sport and commercial fisheries. About one-half of the 29 states reporting blue catfish as present consider them economically and recreationally valuable. Nine states reported they add diversity to existing fish populations, two manage them to develop quality or trophy fisheries, and seven manage blue catfish for both. CATGraham63.p65 01/28/2000, 9:03 AM 37