FISH IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

Flathead Catfish

Native to most of the state’s rivers, the flathead has adapted well to reservoirs. Flatheads are mottled brown/black to pale yellow in color. They have a broad flat head which has a lower jaw that extends beyond the upper jaw. Flatheads are generally much larger than channel cats, with weights of over 100 pounds reported. The anal fin has less than 30 supporting rays with round edges and the tail is a square and nonforked. Banklines, rod and reel, and trotlines are all popular methods, using live bait.

Blue Catfish

The blue catfish is native to rivers in northeast Kansas and has been stocked in select Kansas reservoirs, where it has flourished. Blues are pale blue in color although white or dark blue and black are not uncommon. The head generally appears small with a distinct hump in younger fish. The lower jaw is even with the upper jaw and weights of over 100 pounds have been reported. The anal fin is long, containing 30 or more supporting rays with a flat edge and the tail is forked. Blues are usually caught with cut or dead bait.

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish are native to Kansas and each year millions are stocked in community, state, and urban fishing lakes. They are often brownish-yellow in color with a white belly. Juveniles will have black or brown spots (See inset illustration) and spawning males can be dark blue in color. The lower jaw is even with the upper jaw and weights rarely exceed 30 pounds. The channel’s anal fin is shorter than the blue’s, with less than 30 supporting rays and a round edge. The tail is forked. Reservoirs, streams, state fishing lakes and ponds all provide excellent channel catfish angling opportunities. They can be caught using bank lines, trot lines and rod and reel, using dead or prepared bait – the smellier the better.

Bullhead

There are three species of bullheads in Kansas: the black, yellow, and brown. The black bullhead is common to streams and ponds, and the less common yellow is found mostly in the eastern half of the state. The bullhead is dark-green or yellow-green with a white or yellowish belly. The black bullhead is usually larger than the yellow and the barbels on the lower jaw are darker than the surrounding skin. The yellow’s barbels on the lower jaw are white. Bullheads exceeding 2 pounds are uncommon. Bullheads are great fish for young anglers, biting readily on worms, liver and dead bait.

Bluegill

Bluegill are native to eastern Kansas streams and have been stocked in ponds and lakes throughout the state. A saucer-shaped sunfish with a namesake blue tab on its gill cover, the bluegill is a popular sportfish that readily takes bait or small lures. It is a fine eating fish as well. Early June, when they move into the shallows and dish out small nests for spawning, is a great time to catch them. Fly gear is particularly effective at this time.

Green Sunfish

The green sunfish is one of the most abundant sunfish in Kansas. It has the blue tab on its gill cover, but is somewhat less saucer shaped than the bluegill and has a noticeably larger mouth. Fins are usually edged in yellow. The green sunfish, or “greenie,” is a great fish for kids and will nearly always hit small baits and lures.