New Restrictions May Lead to More Trophy Blue Catfish

First posted on 05-21-2010

Landing that trophy fish is a major influence for the popularity of fishing in Oklahoma. However, it is pretty rare that an angler can proudly display a trophy-size blue catfish.

Over several years of collecting information on blue catfish, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has made a change to the harvest limitations on length of this species.

“The new limit is still 15 fish combined (blue catfish and channel catfish), but now only one blue catfish fish over 30” can be included in the 15 fish limit,” said Daniel Shoup, assistant professor of fisheries and aquatic ecology at Oklahoma State University. “The move is definitely justified based on research conducted by ODWC’s fisheries research lab.”

The research showed that blue catfish grow relatively slow compared to other sport fishes, and had mortality rates between 20 percent and 30 percent. While the mortality rate is low compared to largemouth bass or crappie mortality rates (which are often 50 - 80 percent), their longer life span and slow growth make it such that very few of them make it to “trophy” status.

The ODWC research says that it takes 12-14 years for a blue catfish to reach 10 pounds. With the 25 percent mortality, less than three percent of these fish will live long enough to grow to 10 pounds.
The very few blue catfish that actually make it to 50 pounds are quite valuable, according to a report from the ODWC. It is suggested to eat the 1-5 pound blue catfish and take pictures of the large blues and return them to the lake unharmed.

However, releasing the big ones unharmed gave Shoup an idea for a continued study.

“One remaining question is whether this regulation will be effective if a large number of fish over 30” are caught and released under the new regulation, but end up dying from hooking-related stress or injury. This is primarily a concern on jug rigs or trot lines where fish could be hooked for up to 24 hours before being released,” Shoup said. “The purpose of our study is to determine what the delayed mortality rate is for fish that are captured on jug fishing rigs.”

Shoup’s study is in the initial stages, but the results will help determine if this new regulation will be sufficient to provide increased potential for trophy angling opportunities for this species in Oklahoma.
The current Oklahoma state unrestricted record is 118 pounds, while the rod and reel record in 98 pounds.

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