Monsters In Appearance & Temperament

In most reservoirs around the United States, flathead populations are thriving, providing anglers with overlooked opportunities to catch the fish of a lifetime. In some areas, commercial fishermen have increased operations, lured by the high value placed on flathead flesh by many folks who like to eat fish. And the trophy status of this fish has spawned a new generation of freshwater big-game anglers.

In small streams, though, the number of larger flatheads probably is limited, for fish over 20 pounds may be 10 years old or more. The same’s true of 30-pounders in medium-size rivers. Releasing most larger fish in these systems helps keep the population strong, with enough big breeders to reproduce and to tear up someone’s tackle next year.

Big flatheads are vulnerable, based on hard statistics. May take 25 years to grow a 40-inch 35-pound flathead. And with eating habits like a lumberjack, they just aren’t hard to catch once you find them.

Fifteen + 15 + 15 + 15 + 20 + 30 = 110 years. There, strung on a rope draped over a board fence is 110 years of fish history. Better save that photo, for the time soon approaches when you won’t see those fish again in your lifetime. Your sons and daughters won’t either.

But there always are more flatheads in the next hole, in the next river, in the next state. Today, perhaps. A handful of flathead catmen find good populations of big flatheads today because few fishermen know how to find and catch them or, more the case, will not spend the time it takes to do it.

Commercial fishing is a long tradition in most major rivers that hold flatheads. Fishermen seek them because of their high market value relative to drum, buffalo, and carp. Sportfishing for flatheads has increased in popularity, and catfish anglers are becoming more vocal about their favorite species. They’ll make sure resource agencies don’t slight cats in their population studies and management plans.