Catfish in Illinois
4 species documented in Illinois, alongside live conditions on the state’s 29 gauged waters.
Recorded species
Documented in Illinois
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
1,490 records
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
448 records
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
101 records
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
89 records
Bars compare how many records exist, which reflects survey effort as much as fish populations. Read them as evidence the species is present, not as a ranking of the fishing.
Live conditions
Biggest Illinois waters right now
| River | Drainage | Flow | Temp | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois River | 26,743 sq mi | 27,600 cfs | — | 12 min ago |
| Rock River | 9,549 sq mi | 8,670 cfs | 34°F | 57 min ago |
| Kaskaskia River | 5,189 sq mi | 376 cfs | 73°F | 42 min ago |
| Sangamon River | 5,093 sq mi | 443 cfs | 74°F | 57 min ago |
| Mississippi River | 713,200 sq mi | 264,000 cfs | — | 12 min ago |
| Ohio River | 203,000 sq mi | 84,900 cfs | 74°F | 42 min ago |
| Kankakee River | 5,150 sq mi | 2,600 cfs | 64°F | 57 min ago |
| Fox River | 2,642 sq mi | 2,940 cfs | — | 57 min ago |
| Embarras River | 2,333 sq mi | 79.7 cfs | 61°F | 57 min ago |
| Big Muddy River | 2,159 sq mi | 170 cfs | 69°F | 42 min ago |