Catfishes - 2012

Stock Status - Unknown - Federal aid project F-80 began March 2004 to fulfill data needs for upcoming Fishery Management Plan. Commercial landings are 9% above 10 - year average. However, 2011 JAI are below the running average. Data are not sufficient to evaluate status.

Average Commercial Landings and Value 2002-2011 – 404,781 lbs./$95,600

2011 Commercial Landings and Value – 444,412 lbs./$85,034

Average Recreational Landings 2002-2011 - unknown 2011 - unknown

Average Recreational Commercial Gear License (RCGL) Landings 2002-2008 – 6,864 lbs. 2011 – Discontinued due to loss of funding

Status of Fishery Management Plan (FMP) – There is no state or federal plan. A state plan was scheduled for development when adequate data became available, however DMF is proposing to the Marine Fisheries Commission that catfish be removed from the FMP list.

Data and Research Needs – validation of juvenile indices, size, age, and sex composition of commercial and recreational harvest, fecundity estimates, updated maturity estimates, gear selectivity estimates, gut content analysis, characterize species composition of commercial harvest, characterize species composition between waterbodies, spawning area surveys, identify movement and migration patterns, evaluate similarities of age, growth, and productivity between water bodies.
                
Current Regulations – no regulations in place

Harvest Season - open year round

Size and Age at Maturity - white and channel catfish - 7-12 inches total length (TL)/ 3-4 years; bullheads- 8-10 inches TL/ 3 years

Historical and Current Maximum Age – 20 years/19 years

Juvenile Abundance Index Average 2004 – 2011 – 1.9 2011 – 0.8 (not validated)

Habits and Habitats – Spawning occurs in nests over sand, gravel, and mud, and under protection of logs, roots, vegetation, from late March through June depending on the species. Males of some species protect the young once hatching occurs. Juveniles utilize the rivers and sounds as a nursery area, within the same area as adults.

For more information please contact Michael.Loeffler@ncdenr.gov or 800-338-7805 or 252-264-3911.